The 2026 DTM season kicks off at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, marking a new beginning after a prolonged winter break. This is the first time a championship opens in Austria, generating renewed expectations among fans and drivers.
In this edition, illustrious drivers such as the current champion Ayhancan Guven and other prominent names like Rene Rast, Jack Aitken, and Jordan Pepper will not take part, leaving space for new competitors looking to make a name for themselves in the series.
The South African Kelvin van der Linde, who has returned after a year off, aims to win the title with Schubert-BMW, following in the footsteps of his brother Sheldon. Mercedes-AMG driver Lucas Auer is also seeking victory after finishing as the runner-up last season. The Manthey team, featuring Thomas Preining and newcomer Ricardo Feller, presents another serious title contender.
DTM Schedule in Spielberg 2026
The championship features a total of 21 drivers, among which stands out Timo Glock with the Dorr-McLaren and Nicki Thiim, who returns to compete with Aston Martin aiming to follow in the footsteps of his father, Kurt Thiim, in winning the title.
Additionally, the new Lamborghini Temerario makes its debut, replacing the Huracan model, adding more excitement to the competition. The new special DTM tires from Pirelli are an added incentive, designed to optimize lap times and durability, though they present challenges in cold weather conditions on the circuit.
Competition Schedule (all times in CEST)
Friday, April 24
10:25 – 1st practice session
12:15 – 2nd practice session
16:00 – 3rd practice session
Saturday, April 25
09:40 – 1st qualifying
12:55 – Race 1
Sunday, April 26
09:30 – 2nd qualifying
12:55 – Race 2
Broadcast and Coverage Information
This year’s format remains the same as last year’s, with morning qualifications and the need for pit stops. All events will be accessible with German commentary via the ran.de and Joyn platforms, as well as English coverage via the DTM YouTube channel. The races can also be followed on ProSieben in Germany and ServusTV in Austria.
Variety of Participating Brands
In this season, eight brands will compete through eleven teams, with vehicles like the Mercedes-AMG GT3, BMW M4 GT3 Evo, and the new Lamborghini Temerario GT3 among others. The Balance of Performance (BoP) system will ensure equal conditions among the participants.
Entry List for DTM Spielberg
| Driver | # | Car | Engine | Tyres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelvin van der Linde | 3 | BMW M4 GT3 Evo | BMW P58 3.0 L Turbo I6 | Pirelli |
| Timo Glock | 16 | McLaren 720S GT3 Evo | McLaren M840T 4.0 L Turbo V8 | Pirelli |
| Lucas Auer | 22 | Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo | Mercedes-AMG M159 6.2 L V8 | Pirelli |
With such a competitive championship, the DTM season promises to be thrilling and full of surprises. Don’t miss the exciting races this weekend in Spielberg!
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
