Sophie Hofmann returns to DTM Trophy with Heide Motorsport

Young German driver Sophie Hofmann returns to DTM Trophy with Heide Motorsport for her second season in the GT4-based DTM feeder series, having made significant progress throughout her debut campaign.

Sophie Hofmann's career in motor racing only started a few years ago, but the young racer is already climbing the ladder towards the most popular GT series in Germany, DTM.

Sophie, 23, will in fact enter for the second year the DTM Trophy championship, the main feeder series for one of the most elite competitions in the world.

Hofmann returns behind the wheel of the Audi R8 LMS GT4 Evo with Heide Motorsport, the team that brought her to series debut in 2021. Across the seven double-headers, she scored 11 points and especially showed significant progression through the season, claiming a top-ten in Hockenheim and a seventh place on her home track at Norisring, the season finale.

"I'm very happy and excited to announce my participation in the DTM Trophy again" - wote Hofmann, "as every year I am super grateful for this opportunity and the chance to do that one thing I love the most. More than ever I feel ready for this challenge and will give my absolutely best to reach my goals with Heide Motorsport."

Hofmann made her first important appearances in car racing in 2019, as she raced in the GT4-based Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup - a series that has seen several female drivers progressing into international competitions. In the same year, she was also on the grid of ADAC TCR Germany for a guest appearance at Sachsenring.

She announced her move to the inaugural DTM Trophy season in 2020 - but the pandemic challenges resulted in a postponement of the program.

Her debut did in fact go underway in 2021 with Heide Motorsport and Hofmann battled increasingly towards the top ten as the season progressed; she also had strong performances at Lausitzring and Red Bull Ring, before her point-scoring rounds.

During the winter, Sophie made her debut in endurance racing - something she had been looking forward to for a while - and raced at the 24 Hours of Dubai with Heide Motorsport.

The 2022 DTM Trophy season starts in mid May at Lausitzring, before travelling to Imola, Italy. The traditional round of Norisring returns to be held in July, while Nurburgring, Spa Francorchamps and Red Bull Ring will follow in August and September. The season finale is scheduled for 8-9 October at Hockenheimring.

Sophie Hofmann is so far the only female driver being announced in the series, and will join Mikaeel Pitamber at the Witten-based team in what is expected to be a three car operation.