The DTM has confirmed the official test ahead of the 2026 season—and is completely revamping its test schedule: Why the teams are starting from scratch in Spielberg
The DTM has decided when and where the official test before the 2026 season will take place: the venue is the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. This makes sense, because the Grand Prix circuit in Austria – whose pit facilities are being renovated in winter – will also host the season opener for the first time in DTM history from April 24 to 26.
The ADAC has booked the Red Bull Ring for official testing ahead of the 2026 season from April 14 to 16, i.e., the week before the season opener. However, the plan is not for the DTM to test there for three days, but to share the track with the ADAC GT Masters and GT4 Germany.
Details are yet to be announced. The plan is for April 13, i.e. Monday, to be available to the TV team and photographers for content production for the 2026 DTM season. Since the teams will already be on site, it would make sense for the DTM to test on Tuesday.
First experiences with new DTM special tires
It has not yet been decided whether the other series will each be given a full day of testing or whether the three days will be used alternately.
The GT3 cars are homologated, which is why no development is taking place on the cars. Nevertheless, official testing in 2026 is not insignificant, as for the first time in the GT3 era of the series there will be a tire that is only used in the DTM.
While Pirelli’s standard long-distance tire, the PZero DHF, was used in 2023 and 2024, and its successor, the DHG, will be used in 2025, the Italian manufacturer will introduce a special tire in 2026 that will only be used in the DTM. Even the ADAC GT Masters will continue to use the DHG tire.
ADAC wants to centrally organize test drives in 2026
Therefore, the teams will have to take advantage of the few testing opportunities available before the season to quickly familiarize themselves with the softer tires. The importance of proper tire management has already been demonstrated in the 2025 season, especially since tire warming is still not permitted in the DTM.
After the ADAC already organized the official test in Oschersleben in 2025, as well as additional tests at the Lausitzring and the Sachsenring, with five days allowed per car, the DTM organizer wants to organize all tests itself in 2026.
According to reports, test drives will be offered during the coming season not only at Spielberg but also at the Lausitzring, Oschersleben, the Nürburgring, the Sachsenring, and Hockenheim.
DTM test drives fully approved from November
This should not only make testing cheaper for the teams than with private providers, but the central organization also gives the ADAC the opportunity to control the number of tire sets used and collect data for the Balance of Performance (BoP).
From the beginning of November, testing for DTM teams will also be fully permitted on DTM tracks for the time being – the details of the new testing regulations are still being finalized. However, as the new tires are not yet available and will only be available from the series organizers anyway, the findings would be limited in any case.
