A range of plans have been unveiled by DTM’s new promoter, ADAC, following their takeover of the iconic racing series earlier this month.
It was reported by Velocity News in early December that DTM’s parents company, ITR, was dissolving, leaving the future of the series up in the air.
Since then, rival promoter, ADAC, came to the rescue to secure the championship under their umbrella, ensuring it’s survival.
A number of changes have already been implemented for the upcoming season, including a switch from Michelin tyres to Pirelli and SRO now handling the Balance of Performance instead of AVL.
ADAC already run the successful GT Masters and Prototype Cup Germany series, meaning previously DTM has been a fierce rival of theirs. Now it will fall in place at the top of their hierarchy, above both series which will now fall under the “DTM Endurance” classification.
Platinum-rated drivers will also be unable to compete in DTM Endurance series to ensure DTM remains as the premier competition under their umbrella.
In terms of format, DTM will continue to run as a single driver, sprint race format in comparison to the two-driver, timed format used in traditional GT racing.
The changes also brought about the release of the 2023 calendar. It was assumed less international racing would appear on the schedule, which has now been confirmed.
The eight-round season will feature six events in Germany, one in Austria and one in the Netherlands.
The campaign will begin on 26-28 May at Oschersleben whilst Norisring, Nurburgring, Lausitzring, Hockenheimring and Sachsenring are the other German tracks on the program.
Zandvoort will host the Dutch round, on the second race-weekend, whilst Red Bull Ring ensures Austria doesn’t get skipped.
The schedule has been designed in a manner which ensures there are no clashes with GT World Challenge Europe, major events like the 24 Hours of Nurburgring and Formula E.
That means several New Zealanders may be able to compete full-time, particularly Nick Cassidy who raced both Formula E and DTM this year and was forced to miss race-weekends due to schedule clashes.
DTM Endurance have yet to reveal their own calendar however it’s expected several of their meets will be run in support of the now-main DTM series.
2023 DTM Calendar
26-28 May | Oschersleben |
23-25 June | Zandvoort |
7-9 July | Norisring |
4-6 August | Nurburgring |
18-20 August | Lausitzring |
8-10 September | Sachsenring |
22-24 September | Red Bull Ring |
20-22 October | Hockenheimring |