New season, new stories – and an open title race
When the engines roar again at the Red Bull Ring next weekend, a long winter break will come to an end – and at the same time, one of the most hotly anticipated motorsport chapters of the year will begin. The DTM starts its new season in Spielberg, and rarely before has the field seemed so open, the expectations so multifaceted.
Nestled in the Styrian mountain landscape, the 4.326-kilometer course with its ten corners and long full-throttle passages forms one of the fastest tracks on the calendar – and thus the perfect stage for a groundbreaking start. In the past, the traditional track has already provided close races, tactical finesse, and spectacular overtaking maneuvers. This time too, two races are on the program – the start of a championship battle spanning eight race weekends.
Open title race and new dynamics
The DTM will enter the 2026 season with numerous changes. Eight manufacturers will be represented, new vehicles, and personnel changes will shape the landscape – while a familiar name, Audi, will no longer appear in the field. At the same time, a new, specially developed Pirelli tire will create additional excitement: it degrades faster and could therefore influence strategy and race dynamics more than before.
In the thick of it: Kelvin van der Linde, returning to the series after a one-year break. The South African has recently won almost everything there is to win in GT racing internationally with his switch to BMW – and is now clearly focusing on the DTM. With Schubert Motorsport and the BMW M4 GT3 Evo, he aims to fight for the title again.
„There are no guarantees in the DTM,“ emphasizes van der Linde, thereby pointing to the enormous performance density. Consistency will be crucial, especially in a season where many drivers could have title chances until the finale. For him personally, it's clear: The return to the series is more than just a comeback – it's a targeted attack on the crown.
Home game for Auer and Preining
Special attention is also paid to the local Austrian heroes. Lucas Auer and Thomas Preining want to make a first statement in front of their home crowd.
Auer, who is still waiting for his first home victory, sees the handling of the new tires as the key factor. Intensive preparation and track knowledge are intended to help him position himself early in the title race. Preining, on the other hand, already knows the way to success in Spielberg – and wants to attack at the front again in the further developed Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Thiim and Aston Martin: A Dream Becomes Reality
Nicki Thiim is also writing a special chapter this season. The Dane is competing in the DTM with an Aston Martin for the first time – the brand he has been closely associated with for years. For Thiim, it is the fulfillment of a long-held dream: to compete in the DTM in the „family car.“.
After difficult years with Lamborghini, he now finds himself in a familiar environment – and hopes to take a step forward with Comtoyou Racing and the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo. The team's development last year, as well as personnel reinforcements, are at least noteworthy.
Route with character – kickoff with signal effect
The Red Bull Ring is considered a track that forgives mistakes – but only to a limited extent. Long straights invite attacks, hard braking points demand precision, and small oversights can be quickly punished. Especially at the start of the season, when setups aren't perfect yet and routines still need to be established, this could be crucial.
For fans – whether on-site or watching on TV – the start means one thing above all: the return of thrilling motorsport. Two races, a reshuffled field, and many open questions promise a weekend that could set the direction for the coming months early on.
Because one thing is certain: when the lights go out in Spielberg, it's not just the start of a race weekend. It's the beginning of a title fight, where the first favorites will emerge – and perhaps the first stories that will shape this season will already begin.