Nurburgring

The Nürburgring Sprint hosts a major round of the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) championship in Germany for the 2026 season. This event takes place at the Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit in Nürburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and represents an important stage in the battle for championship honors. The circuit's technical layout and the unpredictable Eifel mountain weather create challenging conditions for drivers and teams.

Circuit Information

The Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit serves as the venue for this DTM race weekend. This technical track measures 3.629 kilometers (2.255 miles) in length and offers multiple opportunities for overtaking maneuvers and late-braking duels. The circuit demands precision and courage from drivers as they navigate its corners and elevation changes. The Nürburgring motorsports complex can accommodate up to 150,000 spectators and also includes the famous Nordschleife, known as "the Green Hell."

Race Format

The 2026 DTM season consists of eight race weekends, with each weekend featuring two main races. The Nürburgring Sprint event includes practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and two DTM races on the Grand Prix circuit. Several supporting series compete alongside the main DTM races, including ADAC GT4 Germany, Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland, and the BMW M2 Cup. The BMW M2 Cup features two 25-minute sprint races, while the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland holds two races that last just over 30 minutes each.

Teams and Drivers

The 2026 DTM season features 21 cars from 11 teams representing eight different manufacturers. The grid includes entries from Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Mercedes-AMG, McLaren, and Porsche. Mercedes-AMG Team Winward fields Maro Engel and Jules Gounon in Mercedes-AMG GT3 cars, while Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf runs Lucas Auer and Tom Kalender. Manthey Racing competes with Thomas Preining and Ricardo Feller driving Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo (992) machines, and Land Motorsport enters Bastian Buus in another Porsche.

Schubert Motorsport brings Kelvin van der Linde and Marco Wittmann to the grid in BMW M4 GT3 Evo cars. Emil Frey Racing fields Thierry Vermeulen and Matteo Cairoli in Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo machinery. Grasser Racing Team and Red Bull Team ABT both run the new Lamborghini Temerario GT3, with Mirko Bortolotti and Maximilian Paul driving for Grasser, while Luca Engstler and Marco Mapelli represent Red Bull ABT. HRT Ford Performance enters Arjun Maini and Finn Wiebelhaus in Ford Mustang GT3 cars, and Comtoyou Racing fields Nicki Thiim and Nicolas Baert in Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo machines. Dörr Motorsport completes the field with Timo Glock and Ben Dörr piloting McLaren GT3 Evo cars.

Technical Regulations

The 2026 DTM season operates under Group GT3 regulations for its sixth year. All teams use Pirelli tires according to a new two-pool distribution system that ensures stricter control over tire usage throughout the season. Teams receive four sets of new tires for demanding events such as the Nürburgring Sprint. The "Rene Rast Rule" has been introduced to prevent teams from reintroducing discarded tires into their allocation, eliminating potential unfair advantages.

The cars are high-performance GT3 machines with diverse engine configurations specific to each manufacturer. These powerplants include turbo V8s, turbo I6s, turbo V6s, and naturally aspirated V8s, creating a varied grid with different performance characteristics.

DTM History at Nürburgring

The DTM has visited the Nürburgring for over 30 years, establishing the German circuit as a traditional venue for the series. Since the championship's resumption in 2000, the Nürburgring has remained a consistent fixture on the DTM calendar. The series has utilized various configurations of the Nürburgring throughout its history, with the Sprint Circuit serving as the primary layout in recent years. The 2026 season marks the fortieth season of Germany's premier touring car championship and the twenty-seventh under the DTM name since its re-establishment in 2000.

Event Features

The Nürburgring DTM round often plays a crucial role in determining championship outcomes. The circuit's location in the Eifel mountains brings unpredictable weather conditions that can transform race strategy and produce dramatic racing action. Fans attending the event can access various activities, including pit walks and the DTM Fan Zone. Children under 16 years old receive free admission when accompanied by an adult.

The BMW M2 Cup provides a pathway for young talents aged 15 and over, with the series winner receiving a sponsorship package for the 2027 season. This junior series continues to develop the next generation of touring car drivers. The combination of the main DTM races and the supporting series creates a full weekend of competitive motorsport action at the Nürburgring Sprint circuit.

The competitive field of manufacturers and experienced drivers promises close racing throughout the weekend. The technical nature of the Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit rewards driver skill and team strategy, making each race an important contest for championship points and podium positions.