DTM Calendar

The DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) is a premier sprint racing championship for GT3-specification cars, promoted by the ADAC. In 2026, the series continues to deliver close competition with a strong emphasis on professional drivers and manufacturer involvement. The championship features a diverse field of 21 cars from 11 teams representing eight different manufacturers, including Mercedes-AMG, BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Ford, and Audi.

Championship Format

DTM uses a points system similar to Formula 1, awarding points to the top ten finishers in each race: 25 points for first place, 18 for second, 15 for third, descending to 1 point for tenth. Qualifying performance also earns bonus points, with the top three qualifiers receiving 3, 2, and 1 point respectively. This allows drivers to score a maximum of 56 points per race weekend. The championship crowns a Drivers' Champion, Teams' Champion, and Manufacturers' Champion, with a Rookie of the Year classification for eligible Gold- or Silver-rated drivers in their first DTM season.

Weekend Structure

Each DTM race weekend is a compact event built around two sprint races—one on Saturday and one on Sunday. The weekend begins on Friday with two practice sessions: a 55-minute FP1 followed by a 45-minute FP2. Before each race, a dedicated 20-minute qualifying session determines the starting grid. Drivers who qualify in the top 10 must start the race on their qualifying tires.

Race Format and Strategy

All DTM races are sprint events lasting approximately 55 minutes plus one lap. Race directors can extend races by up to three additional laps in 2026 if safety car periods occur. Strategic depth comes from mandatory pit stops for tire changes only—no refueling is permitted. Saturday races require one mandatory pit stop, while Sunday races mandate two stops with specific pit windows. Tire changes during full-course yellow or safety car periods do not count toward mandatory stops. Races begin with a rolling start in two-row formation.

Technical Specifications

DTM uses GT3-specification cars from premium manufacturers, similar to those competing in international endurance events. The championship employs a Balance of Performance system, adjusting factors like weight, engine power, and wing angles to equalize theoretical on-track performance across different manufacturers. For 2025, DTM introduced a synthetic DTM Pro Climate fuel developed by Coryton. In 2026, Pirelli developed a new exclusive tire manufactured at their German plant, designed to improve lap times within testing limitations. Teams receive different tire allocations based on circuit demands: four sets of new tires for more demanding events like Circuit Zandvoort, Hockenheimring, and Sachsenring, and three sets for venues like Lausitzring and Norisring.

2026 Season

The 2026 DTM calendar comprises eight race weekends totaling 16 races, beginning in late April. Events primarily take place in Germany, with international rounds at Circuit Zandvoort in the Netherlands and the Red Bull Ring in Austria. The calendar includes traditional German venues such as Norisring, Sachsenring, DEKRA Lausitzring, Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, and the season finale at Hockenheimring in October. This diverse range of circuits challenges drivers with everything from tight street-style layouts to high-speed courses, maintaining DTM's reputation for competitive GT racing at professional level.