MUNICH, Germany — The battle for the 2026 DTM crown begins against an imposing mountain backdrop: The Red Bull Ring in Austria is the fastest track on the calendar and the perfect stage for a spectacular opening weekend (April 24-26).
Two local heroes will be in the mix: Mercedes-AMG star and runner-up Lucas Auer (Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf) and Porsche driver Thomas Preining (Manthey).
The local heroes have high hopes for the season opener at the Red Bull Ring and want to make a strong statement in the fight for the DTM crown. Tyrolean driver Auer is determined to finally secure his first DTM home victory.
“The DTM brings together the best drivers and teams. I prepared intensively over the winter, spent a lot of time in the car, and am naturally extremely motivated to be racing at home in front of my own fans,” explained the 31-year-old. “At the opening race, and indeed throughout the entire season, it will primarily be about who understands the new tires the fastest. In my opinion, that’s the biggest challenge,” Auer says, referring to the new Pirelli tire developed exclusively for the DTM.
His compatriot Preining has already triumphed on the Alpine circuit and aims to repeat this success in the improved Porsche 911 GT3 R.
“I’m delighted that things are finally getting underway again after a long winter. Opening the season at the Red Bull Ring is an absolute highlight for me,” revealed the 2023 DTM champion from Linz. “The DTM races there have always been exciting in recent years, and the track offers plenty of overtaking opportunities. I absolutely love driving at the Red Bull Ring and, of course, I’m hoping for a home victory to start the season.”
For the TGI Team by GRT, the season opener in Styria marks the start of a new era. The team from Knittelfeld, near the race track, will field two new Lamborghini Temerario GT3s and is placing its trust in the two factory drivers Mirko Bortolotti (Italy) and Maximilian Paul (Dresden). “We’re starting with a completely new car, so development work will be crucial at the beginning of the season,” says Bortolotti, who lives in Vienna, and continued. “In the DTM, you need maximum performance to be successful. As soon as we have the necessary pace, anything is possible. It certainly helps that I’ve known Team Grasser for many years and we have a very trusting relationship.”
BMW drivers Marco Wittmann (Fürth) and DTM returnee Kelvin van der Linde (South Africa) are clear favorites, as the M4 GT3 has won a DTM race in Austria in each of the last three years. Four drivers will be making their DTM debut at the Red Bull Ring: the experienced Italians Matteo Cairoli (Emil Frey Racing) in a Ferrari and Marco Mapelli (Red Bull Team Abt), up-and-coming talent Bastian Buus (Denmark/Land-Motorsport) in a Porsche, and Road-to-DTM winner Finn Wiebelhaus (Obertshausen/HRT Ford Racing) in a Ford.
The ADAC GT Masters kicks off its 20th season at the Red Bull Ring. The ADAC GT4 Germany series will also hold its first two of 12 races in Spielberg. Visitors can also look forward to the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Germany and the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) race cars. A special experience awaits fans on Friday: the Track Safari, where they can travel on the circuit in buses alongside the DTM cars.
