• One of four C-Klasse DTM chassis constructed by AMG for the 2004 DTM season
• Entrusted to the factory HWA Team of AMG founder, Hans-Werner Aufrecht
• Campaigned by Jean Alesi, former Scuderia Ferrari driver and Formula 1 race-winner
• Achieved two pole positions and one podium finish en route to 7th in the 2004 DTM standings
• Subsequently campaigned by Mücke Motorsport in the 2005 and 2006 DTM seasons; driven by Stefan Mücke and Susie Wolff (née Stoddart) respectively
• Presented in its original 2004-specification AMG-Mercedes livery

Relaunched in 2000, the DTM quickly resumed its position as one of Europe’s foremost closed-cockpit race series. Its success was underpinned by manufacturer-backed support from Audi, Opel, and Mercedes-Benz. The 2004 season was characterised by the introduction of four-door chassis for the first time; Audi and Opel revealed new A4 and Vectra models, respectively, while Mercedes-Benz unveiled its new C-Klasse design. The Stuttgart marque’s Works-supported HWA Team duly entered cars for four-time champion Bernd Schneider, Christijan Albers, Gary Paffett and former Formula 1 race-winner, Jean Alesi.

The season started emphatically for Mercedes-Benz, with Alesi driving chassis RS04-002—offered for sale here—and securing pole position for the first round at Hockenheim, and Paffett and Schneider enjoying a race win and fastest lap, respectively. Following Albers’ win at Estoril, Audi driver Mattias Ekström then took back-to-back wins at Adria and Lausitzring, with French-Sicilian Alesi delighting a partisan crowd at the former track with a fine 3rd place. However, a mid-season Mercedes-Benz resurgence made Paffett victorious at Norisring, Shanghai and Nürburgring. Alesi’s strong 4th place in China was bookended by 10th- and 7th-placed finishes on home soil.

A late season surge resulted in a 1-2 finish for Audi at Oschersleben, Zandvoort and Brno, with only Paffett’s Mercedes-Benz offering consistent opposition. However, in finishing 10th at Oschersleben and 8th at Brno, Alesi emerged as the second Mercedes home on both occasions; this a precursor to 5th place in the final round at Hockenheim and an eventual 7th place in the Championship.

For the 2005 DTM season, chassis RS04-002 was entrusted to Mücke Motorsport, with Stefan Mücke securing a further three top-10 finishes in the car. Although retained by the team, driving duties passed to the rapid Scot, Susie Stoddart, for 2006. In her hands two further top-10 results were forthcoming, as was the honour of finishing as top 2004-specification car in that year’s Championship.

In 2007, ownership of chassis RS04-002 passed to Czech motorsport impresario Antonin Charouz, prior to its acquisition by the consigning owner in 2015. In the latter’s care it has been restored to its original specification and livery, evidenced by photos on file, and has competed in just five demonstration and historic events since. Boasting a fascinating association with one of the most charismatic of all Scuderia Ferrari drivers, chassis RS04-002 remains one of only a handful of modern-era DTM cars in private ownership, and is ideally suited to the numerous events for which it is eligible.

Please note that this lot is subject to VAT on the full purchase price (both on the hammer price and commission).

Bitte beachten Sie, dass bei diesem Los Mehrwertsteuer auf den gesamten Kaufpreis anfällt (sowohl auf den Hammerpreis als auch auf das Aufgeld).

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mu23.