The 2026 DTM season is entering the home straight – with a special new feature: why the final race of the year at Hockenheim starts at 4.30 pm
It’s long been common knowledge that the starting lights in the DTM normally turn green at 1.30 pm. So it’s likely that quite a few TV viewers were all the more surprised during the second DTM race at the Sachsenring when ProSieben displayed the TV broadcast times for the season finale at Hockenheim on-screen.
Whilst the broadcast on Saturday (10 October) begins as usual at 12.55 pm, ProSieben will not go on air for the final DTM race of the year on Sunday (11 October) until 3.55 pm – three hours later than usual. Behind this lies an exciting plan by the ADAC, in which the fans in particular play a central role.
The season finale will not start at 1.30 pm as usual, but at 4.30 pm. The DTM will therefore bring the entire race weekend at Hockenheim to a close. Last year, the final races of the ADAC GT Masters and the ADAC GT4 Germany took place after the DTM finale.
ADAC aims to bring the DTM closer to the fans
“We want to round off the event with the DTM race as the highlight and the subsequent champions’ ceremony,” reveals an ADAC spokesperson. “Once the DTM race has finished, we’ll open the gates so that fans can get onto the track and attend the champions’ ceremony.”
Or, to put it another way: The DTM is following the example set by Formula 1. At Monza, for instance, fans are allowed to flood onto the track after the chequered flag has fallen and celebrate their heroes up close. A similar experience is now set to take place at the DTM finale in Hockenheim.
The fact that the ADAC is focusing on greater fan engagement is nothing new. At the races in Oschersleben and at the Nürburgring, the podium ceremony was already held not on the traditional podium, but in the spectator area behind the pits. The fans were significantly closer to the drivers and were able to celebrate alongside the winners.
The 2026 DTM champion could be decided on Saturday
This concept is now being taken to the next level at the finale in Hockenheim. After the race, the start/finish area will be opened to all fans. This will allow spectators to watch the winners’ and champions’ ceremonies up close. As was the case last year, the new champion’s ceremony is set to take place in front of the large LED screen.
It remains to be seen, however, whether Sunday’s race will even be a contest for the championship. As things stand, there is every indication that the 2026 DTM champion will be decided as early as Saturday. This is because Manthey-Porsche driver Thomas Preining heads to the finale at Hockenheim with a comfortable lead.
Following the weekend at the Sachsenring, the Austrian is a full 23 points ahead of his closest rival, Maro Engel in the Winward Mercedes. Marco Wittmann in the Schubert BMW, in third place, is already 24 points behind. All other drivers have only a mathematical chance of winning the title. A total of 56 points are still up for grabs.
Should Preining put in a strong performance on Saturday, he could be crowned the 2026 DTM champion ahead of schedule. In that case, Sunday’s grand finale would take place without the title being decided – but with a special highlight for the fans.
