DTM - Dekra Lausitzring

The DEKRA Lausitzring Sprint brings the DTM series back to Germany for a weekend of GT3 racing. This race marks the first German round of the 2026 DTM season. The Lausitzring circuit near Klettwitz in Brandenburg hosts two sprint races over the weekend. Fans can watch 21 cars from eight manufacturers compete on one of Europe's most distinctive racing facilities.

The Circuit

DEKRA Lausitzring opened in August 2000 and has hosted DTM events every year since. The circuit sits near Klettwitz in Brandenburg, Germany, on the site of a former coal mine. Dekra Automobil GmbH owns the facility and uses it as Europe's largest automotive testing ground. The track remains available for major motorsport events like DTM.

The circuit features a high-speed tri-oval layout, which is unique in continental Europe. DTM races use the infield road course configuration. The Grand Prix Circuit with Banked Turn 1 measures 4.601 km (2.859 mi) and includes the distinctive banked turn that defines the track. The facility can accommodate 120,000 spectators around the tri-oval. The main grandstands seat 25,000 people and offer views of the entire circuit.

Access to DEKRA Lausitzring is straightforward. The circuit connects directly to the A13 autobahn. Dresden and Berlin airports both provide convenient air travel options for international visitors.

Race Format

The DTM weekend at DEKRA Lausitzring Sprint features two races. Each race runs for 55 minutes plus one additional lap. Saturday's race requires one mandatory pit stop. Sunday's race requires two mandatory pit stops. This format tests both driver skill and team strategy.

Pirelli supplies exclusive DTM special tires for all competitors. Teams receive three sets of new tires for the race days. Pre-heating of tires is not allowed. These regulations ensure fair competition across all manufacturers.

Participants and Teams

The 2026 DTM season fields 21 cars from 11 teams. Eight manufacturers compete: Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche. This diversity creates close racing throughout the field.

Team Lineup

Schubert Motorsport enters two BMW entries with Kelvin van der Linde and two-time champion Marco Wittmann. Mercedes-AMG fields four cars across two teams. Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf runs Lucas Auer and Tom Kalender, who is 18 years old and the youngest driver on the grid. Winward Racing campaigns cars for Maro Engel and Jules Gounon.

Lamborghini has strong representation with four entries. Red Bull Team Abt runs Marco Mapelli and Luca Engstler. TGI Team by GRT fields Mirko Bortolotti and Maximilian Paul. Manthey enters two Porsche cars for 2023 champion Thomas Preining and Ricardo Feller. Land-Motorsport runs a single Porsche for Bastian Buus.

Dörr Motorsport brings two McLaren entries. Former Formula 1 driver Timo Glock, at 44 years old, is the most experienced driver in the field. Ben Dörr joins him in the team. HRT Ford Racing runs Arjun Maini and rookie Finn Wiebelhaus in Ford Mustang GT3 cars. Emil Frey Racing fields Ferrari 296 GT3 cars for Matteo Cairoli and Thierry Vermeulen. Comtoyou Racing represents Aston Martin with Nicki Thiim and Nicolas Baert.

Technical Regulations

DTM uses Group GT3 regulations, a format the series adopted in 2021. All cars compete under Balance of Performance rules. These rules adjust weight, engine power, and aerodynamic settings to ensure fair racing between different manufacturers.

The eight manufacturers use different engine configurations. Some teams run V8 engines, while others use V6 Turbo or I6 Turbo units. This variety reflects the diversity of the GT3 platform while maintaining competitive balance through BoP adjustments.

Support Series

The DEKRA Lausitzring DTM weekend includes several support series. ADAC GT Masters provides additional GT3 action. Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland showcases one-make racing. The BMW M2 Cup offers another single-marque series.

A unique addition for 2026 is a round of the German TGP-Meisterschaft (Truck-Grand-Prix). Race trucks provide a contrast to the GT3 cars, offering fans a varied motorsport program throughout the weekend.

Spectator Access

All tickets for the DTM event at Lausitzring include paddock access. Fans can enter the DTM Fan Area without additional cost. These areas provide close-up views of the teams, cars, and drivers. The paddock access allows spectators to see the teams at work between sessions.

The grandstand design at DEKRA Lausitzring offers complete circuit views. Spectators can follow the entire race from a single vantage point, which is rare among racing circuits. This feature enhances the viewing experience for all attendees.

About DTM

DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) is Germany's premier touring car series. The championship is now in its 40th season. The current format of the series began in 2000. The 2026 season includes eight race weekends and 16 total races across Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria.

DTM is the only top-tier GT3 series that exclusively features sprint races with a single driver per car. The series awards five championships: Drivers, Rookies, Teams, Manufacturers, and the Pit Stop Challenge. This multi-faceted approach to competition adds depth to the championship battle.

ProSieben broadcasts all DTM races live in Germany. The DTM YouTube channel streams all sessions, including practice and qualifying, in both German and English. This coverage makes the series accessible to fans worldwide.

The DEKRA Lausitzring Sprint represents a key moment in the 2026 DTM calendar. The combination of a challenging circuit, diverse manufacturer competition, and comprehensive support program creates a complete motorsport weekend. The event showcases GT3 racing at its highest level on German soil.