DTM 2018 preview

The 2018 DTM drivers lineup for a preseason photo

Only four more days and then the wait is finally over. On Friday, the DTM is starting its 2018 season. Traditionally, the season-opening races are held at the Hockenheimring Baden-Wurtemberg (4–6 May). Fans can look forward to a fascinating event. Revised technical regulations promise thrilling on-track racing action while German formation ‘Die Fantastischen Vier’ will be providing excellent entertainment away from the race track at Hockenheim with a concert on Saturday evening.

“We have made adjustments in order to making the DTM experience even better this season," ITR managing director Achim Kostron says. “In the past, the DTM has already distinguished itself for first-class motorsport and a genuine proximity to the fans. And it is exactly these two aspects that we have been working on for the 2018 season to emphasize these unique features even further." Seven months after the start of his involvement, Kostron shows himself happy, but is already working on plans for the future: “The DTM will become considerably more attractive in 2018, I am convinced about that. But we will be by no means sit down and relax because of this. Instead, we will continue to work on developing the DTM even further."

Real winners: champions and rookies to battle for the title

This year once again, the focus is on the drivers of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-AMG. And the 2018 DTM driver line-up is quite impressive. The field includes no less than seven champions, all of them eager to add another title. Gary Paffett (2005), Paul Di Resta (2010), Bruno Spengler (2012), Mike Rockenfeller (2013), Marco Wittmann (2014, 2016), Pascal Wehrlein (2015) and René Rast (2017) already claimed the champion’s crown. In the season opener, there will be even eight champions on the grid as the most seasoned DTM driver to date, two-time champion and crowd favorite Mattias Ekström, who put an end to his touring car career in March, will be making a one-off return to bid farewell to his fans in style. And talking about winners: next to the champions, six further regulars for the 2018 season, Jamie Green, Nico Müller, Augusto Farfus, Timo Glock, Lucas Auer and Edoardo Mortara have already scored DTM race wins. They will be facing three genuine rookies, all eager to follow in the footsteps of René Rast this season, the German having claimed the championship title in his debut year: Robin Frijns (Audi), Joel Eriksson and Philipp Eng (both BMW).

A calendar with novelties: ten DTM events, night races for the first time

The race calendar for 2018 includes ten events, one more than in previous years. New on the DTM calendar are Brands Hatch (11–12 August), where the demanding Grand Prix lay-out of the British track with its long heritage will be used, and Misano in Italy. From 24–26 August, the DTM will present itself from its most beautiful angle at the Adriatic Riviera. In the seaside resort of Misano, the 13th and 14th race of the season will be the first night races in history of the DTM.

A small cause, a huge effect: the evolution of the technical regulations

From left, Mercedes, BMW and Audi, will do battle

Audi RS 5 DTM, BMW M4 DTM and Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM have one thing in common: they are looking great, they have an extreme amount of power and a brute sound. Here, nothing will change for the 2018 season. Minimal adjustments of the rules, however, are making the races even more thrilling. Modifications in the aerodynamics lead to reduced downforce. As a result, the handling of the cars becomes more unstable and more demanding for the drivers at the same time. Overtaking, on the other hand, should become easier. The airflow in the front section of the car is less complex and therefore the aerodynamics are less sensitive when driving closely behind another car. The current generation in brief: spectacular race cars for true characters.

More than just motorsport: an event for the entire family

“Compared to other race series, the DTM is providing a lot of action on three event days," Kostron says. “We rate an attractive sporting support package highly, but we also include plenty of good entertainment." Junior race series like the FIA Formula 3 European Championship or ADAC Formula 4 are alternating during the race weekends with series for classic race cars like the DRM Klassik-Pokal and Tourenwagen Classics. Away from the race track, there is plenty to discover for spectators, particularly in the paddock where attractions like Pit View, Fan Terrace and Pit Walk provide chances to get an up-close view behind the scene of the DTM. High-class concert acts like ‘Die Fantastischen Vier’ at Hockenheim or ‘Gestort aber GeiL’ at Lausitzring round out the DTM experience. Kostron reveals: “For our goal of reaching a new and also younger audience, we still have some aces up our sleeve."

A strong national and worldwide TV presence

The new German TV partner SAT.1 will up the ante in 2018. Timo Scheider will be involved as an expert both next to the anchoring duo Andrea Kaiser and Matthias Killing on the starting grid and alongside commentator Edgar Mielke. To make planning easier, races start as a rule on Saturday and Sunday at 13.30 hrs local time, SAT.1 broadcast begins at 13.00 hrs. Viewers in Austria can be happy, too. ORF is showing all 20 races this year live. Internationally, the DTM is marketed by IMG. The American company is present in over 30 countries and has made a name in particular with marketing of the rights for the National Football League (NFL), the NASCAR series and the Olympics.