Under starter’s orders: 2024 DTM title race kicks off in Oschersleben

The stage is set for the DTM’s 40th anniversary: the lights will go green for the first time this weekend, when Motorsport Arena Oschersleben near Magdeburg hosts the opening round of the season. A high-class field, led by defending champion Thomas Preining (A) and former champions René Rast (Bregenz), Sheldon van der Linde (ZA) and Marco Wittmann (Fürth), will commence battle for the champion’s trophy, as the prestigious series celebrates its 40th birthday. It promises to be a tense affair from the very first corner. Tickets for the season-opener in Oschersleben are available from € 39 at dtm.com. Admission is free for under 16s when accompanied by an adult. Fans can also enjoy round one of this season’s DTM from home: ProSieben is broadcasting all 16 of the season’s races live on free-to-air TV. The races from Oschersleben will be shown from 13:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

High standard, multiple title contenders – anything is possible

The two races in Oschersleben will give an initial indication of which drivers are to be reckoned with this season. There are plenty of potential favourites, including reigning champion Preining. The Porsche driver from the experienced Manthey EMA team was not only fast last year, but also showed a high level of consistency, nerves of steel and tactical prowess. “I am looking forward to Oschersleben. It is one of my favourite circuits and a happy hunting ground for Porsche, who have always gone well there. It is particularly hard in qualifying to get everything together and produce a fast lap. However, I love precisely that kind of challenge. The fans in Oschersleben are great and always up for it. It is going to be a cool start to the season,” says the 25-year-old. However, the Austrian will face stiff opposition from the likes of Rast, Sheldon van der Linde and Wittmann from local team Schubert Motorsport. The trio of champions, all at the wheel of BMW cars and with a total of six DTM titles between them, occupied the three top spots at the test in Hockenheim about two weeks ago.

SSR Performance not only claimed its maiden DTM victory in Oschersleben in 2023, but also the first success for Lamborghini. Another successful start this time around would give last year’s runner-up Mirko Bortolotti (I) and his new team-mate Nicki Thiim (DK) plenty of momentum in the title race. Christian Engelhart (Starnberg) also celebrated his first triumph in Germany’s top racing series last year, and is now out to repeat that success in a Lamborghini for the GRT Grasser-Racing-Team. One team you must always have on your radar is Abt Sportsline, with its drivers Kelvin van der Linde (ZA) and Ricardo Feller (CH). “We did very well at the test, the crew is in good form,” says Audi driver Feller. “I am looking forward to the season and will push hard in Oschersleben.”

Newcomer with a youthful debutant

Frankfurt-based team Dörr Motorsport is making its DTM debut in Oschersleben and lines up with two McLaren 720S GT3 Evo. At the wheel of one of the British sports cars is newcomer Ben Dörr (Butzbach), at 19 years of age the youngest driver in the field. The second McLaren is driven by the experienced Clemens Schmid (A).

The Track Safari is back, along with an attractive support programme

Die Track Safari was one of the most popular fan attractions last year. That success story is set to continue in Oschersleben. On Friday afternoon, visitors will have the opportunity to take to the track in buses. This allows them to discover the circuit from a new perspective, while the cars roar past them at high speed. Tickets for this very special kind of racetrack expedition are available online at dtm.com. Spectators in the grandstands will also be able to enjoy spectacular support series: the ADAC GT Masters kicks off the new season in Oschersleben and lines up with seven different manufacturers on the grid. The talented youngsters and ambitious amateurs in ADAC GT4 Germany will also start their first two races of the season in the Magdeburg Börde region of Germany. Also in action in Oschersleben is the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland, with a field consisting of 25 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. 

DTM app for smartphone, dance into the night with DJ Tomekk

The DTM also has a new feature away from the racetrack: the new DTM app is the perfect companion to any DTM event and available from app stores on the race weekend. The app ensures fans at the racetrack do not miss a single session or autograph opportunity, and can also find their way around the circuit without any difficulties, thanks to the integrated map. The fan areas have another highlight in store on Saturday evening: DJ Tomekk, who has enjoyed success in the USA, will lay down his beats near the Dekra Tower from 18:00, when he will delight motorsport fans with the sound of hip hop rather than engines.