Why the Prototype Cup will no longer be held in 2026 and what will change when the BMW M2 Cup makes its comeback after a two-year hiatus compared to previous years
At the season finale in Hockenheim, the DTM announced details of the supporting program for 2026 and presented a new junior series. While the Prototype Cup, which has been struggling with low participation numbers, will no longer take place because no agreement could be reached with the ACO on the use of the old cars, the BMW M2 Cup will make a comeback after a two-year hiatus.
The one-make cup will be organized by the ADAC in 2026 and will return to the DTM supporting program with a new car and a changed organization. The car in question is the BMW M2 Racing, which will make its debut on the racetrack in 2026.
Five events are planned, all as part of the DTM. The biggest difference compared to the years 2021 to 2023? Compared to the first era of the entry-level one-make cup as part of the DTM, there will no longer be a central deployment, which was previously carried out by Project 1 before the company had to file for bankruptcy.
ADAC does not rely on central deployment
Instead, as is customary in other series, deployment will now be carried out by different deployment teams. The concept is similar to that of the DTM: there is only one driver per vehicle. The entry age and tire and lubricant partners are yet to be announced.
The 2026 season will not start until June 19-21 at the Lausitzring, to give the teams time to find drivers. It will then continue at the Norisring, before moving on to the Nürburgring, the Sachsenring, and the season finale at the Hockenheimring.
The series will feature two free practice sessions, one qualifying session, and two 25-minute sprint races per race weekend. “We are currently looking into whether we can also hold three races at two of the five events,” explains ADAC Motorsport Director Thomas Voss.
Top speed of 270 km/h
The series will also be part of the Road to DTM program, which promotes talent from karting to the traditional series. The ADAC promises the winner of the championship “a comprehensive support package” as part of Road to DTM, which is intended to enable them to advance to GT4 Germany.
As in the past, the series is positioned in the junior pyramid between karting and the GT4 series. What can the vehicle presented in winter do? The inline four-cylinder engine with turbo technology delivers 313 hp and a top speed of over 270 km/h.
The M2 Racing is based on the chassis of the current M2 generation, which has been supplemented with racing components. The basic version of the vehicle costs €98,000.
BMW delighted with ADAC as organizer
“The BMW M2 Cup is the ideal series for motorsport newcomers and, on the DTM platform, a springboard to the higher classes,” says ADAC Motorsport Director Voss with conviction. “We are delighted that we can offer young talent an attractive racing car to start their motorsport career in a sporty and exciting series.”
Franciscus van Meel, head of BMW M GmbH, is also delighted with the return of the M2 Cup after a two-year hiatus: “We are very pleased that the ADAC wants to host the BMW M2 Cup in the 2026 season. The one-make cup has always provided spectacular racing action in the past, and we can’t wait to see it revived with our new entry-level car.”
