The promoter of the DTM, ADAC, has announced significant changes in the support program for young drivers in its support series, aimed at facilitating the ascent to DTM. The increase in financial support has been substantial, shifting from a registration fee exemption to a prize package that quadruples the previous assistance.
For the 2027 season, the prize fund for ADAC GT Masters will reach 775,000 euros, the highest amount to date. Specifically, the winner of the Road-to-DTM classification will be able to aspire to 620,000 euros in prizes, a figure that represents a considerable increase over previous years.
The 2026 winner, Finn Wiebelhaus, received an exemption of 109,000 euros plus VAT for the DTM registration fee, in addition to other prizes in the form of tires totaling around 150,000 euros. However, this figure was only a small part of the annual budget of approximately 1.5 million euros per DTM car.
A Key Support for the DTM Budget
With 620,000 euros in prize money, ADAC will cover more than a third of the annual budget of a DTM driver, significantly increasing the chances of securing a spot in the top category. Furthermore, this measure aims to make competition in the ADAC GT Masters more attractive, where participation is expected to be between 12 and 16 cars per event during the current season.
The winner of the Road-to-DTM classification does not necessarily have to be the champion of the ADAC GT Masters. Specific requirements are set, such as being under 25 years old and classified by the FIA in the Silver category. These conditions mainly apply to drivers before signing a professional contract, and qualification results will also influence the points system.
Details on the 620,000 Euro Prize
The 620,000 euro prize will include the DTM registration fee and, for the first time, a full-season tire package. The exact distribution of the prize has not yet been defined, as the registration fee for 2027 is not finalized, and it is also unclear how many sets of tires will be needed. However, it is guaranteed that the tires the winner will need for their season will be funded, something that was previously distributed among several drivers.
This increase in support will also extend to other training series. In the ADAC GT4 Germany, a Road-to-DTM classification will be introduced alongside the increased support, with a total prize pool of 330,000 euros. Additionally, the BMW M2 Cup will see its prize amount increased to 305,000 euros, with the Road-to-DTM winner receiving 170,000 euros to help facilitate their season.
Restructuring of Funding
The significant improvement in economic support is due to a restructuring of available funds by ADAC. The organization has opted to target support more specifically to the winner of Road-to-DTM, abandoning a previous model that distributed tire prizes among various classifications. This should lead to a broader and more competitive grid for the year 2027.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
