In its 39th year, the DTM will be held under the umbrella of the ADAC for the first time. The change at the top brings with it a number of innovations in the sporting regulations that make the racing even more attractive and transparent for spectators. In addition, the DTM will become more sustainable: from this season onwards, the popular racing series will rely on an innovative fuel, thus underlining its pioneering role in worldwide motorsport. In addition, with the Circuit Zandvoort, the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben and the Sachsenring, three race tracks will again be on the tour calendar, which were the venues for the last DTM rounds five, eight and 21 years ago, respectively.
New sustainable fuel
For the first time, all DTM cars will be running on Shell's innovative fuel this season, which consists of about 50 per cent regenerative components and thus makes a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. The fuel complies with the standard for super-plus fuel and can therefore also be used in production cars.
Longer races
Spectators and fans can look forward to even more racing action: the duration of the 16 championship races will be extended by five minutes each and will be one hour plus one lap this season. All championship rounds of the 2023 DTM season will start at 13:30. TV partner ProSieben will go on air before both races with comprehensive live coverage from 1 p.m. already. Worldwide, the DTM will be broadcast live on television in more than 70 countries.
Bottle Free Zone
Sustainability will also be lived in the DTM paddock this season. Thanks to the partnership with the world-renowned water treatment company BWT, the entire DTM will be equipped with water dispensers. These will be provided for the teams both in the pits and in the team hospitality areas. Additional BWT water dispensers will also be placed in the DTM Media Centre, in the Race Control and the ADAC Members' Lounge as well as in the TV compound and at the Pirelli tyre service. In the paddock, four BWT Water Stations will also ensure free access to BWT water products for all visitors.
New points system
A new points system will provide additional excitement in the fight for the DTM title, as the top 15 of each championship round will receive points instead of the top ten as before. The winner collects 25 points, second place 20 points. Third place on the podium is rewarded with 16 points, fourth place earns 13 points. From fifth place (11 points) onwards, there is one point less for each position up to 15th place (one point). This means that more than 50 per cent of the 28 starters can finish in the points.
Tyre sets from new partner Pirelli
This season, the DTM will start with tyres from premium manufacturer and Formula 1 supplier Pirelli. The top five on the grid have to start the respective race with the four tyres with which they achieved their fastest lap time in the corresponding qualifying session. The Balance of Performance is based on Pirelli's tyres and is run this season by SRO Motorsport Group, the ADAC's long-standing partner.
"Milder" penalty: Penalty lap
In future, minor offences in the DTM will be punished with a penalty lap. For this purpose, a penalty zone will be set up on each track. The DTM drivers have to drive through this defined area at a maximum speed of 50 km/h and lose almost five seconds due to this somewhat "milder" penalty. In addition, the penalty lap ensures clear conditions on the track instead of adding time penalties to the overall time at the end of the race.
Compulsory pit stop within 20 minutes
Tyre changes are a race-deciding factor in the DTM - the time window for this will be reduced from this season onwards and will provide more clarity for the fans. The performance pit stop must be completed between the 20th and 40th minute, there is no minimum standing time. All four tyres of a vehicle must be changed. The race director can shift the time window if there is a safety car deployment or a full-course yellow phase before or during the pit stop.
Family-friendly pricing model
Tickets for a DTM weekend are on average ten to 20 Euros cheaper this season than last year and available from as little as 39 Euros on dtm.com. Children and youngsters under 16 years of age are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. In addition, ADAC members receive a discount of ten per cent in online advance sales. All tickets entitle the holder to free admission to the DTM paddock.