Opening act in Oschersleben: DTM season kicks off with new manufacturers and top drivers

• Strong field of 24 drivers battles it out for the first two race wins
• Newcomers Aston Martin and Ford out to impress at season-opener
• ProSieben showing the DTM live on German free-to-air TV

Munich. The 2025 DTM season gets underway this weekend (25th to 27th April) at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. Nine manufacturers and a top field of drivers, including defending champion Mirko Bortolotti (I), three-time champion René Rast (Bregenz) and former Formula 1 star Timo Glock (Kreuzlingen) will do battle for the first two victories of the year. The list of favourites is a long one - going into the first of eight race weekends, it promises to be an unpredictable season. For the drivers in the top-class field, that means that any mistake could be costly in the race for the DTM title. Fans can follow the action live in Oschersleben for as little as € 49, with admission free for under 16s when accompanied by an adult. ProSieben is broadcasting the races on Saturday and Sunday live from 13:00. The races will also be streamed live and free of charge on Joyn, at ran.de, and on the YouTube channel @DTM.

Key facts, Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, races 1 and 2 of 16

• Circuit length: 3,667 metres
• Layout: 14 turns (seven right, seven left), driven clockwise
• 2024 winner, race 1: Jack Aitken (Emil Frey Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3)
• 2024 winner, race 2: Luca Engstler (Lamborghini Team Liqui Moly by GRT, Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2)

More open than ever: Favourites aplenty in the 2025 DTM
24 drivers will go head to head in the 2025 DTM. The focus will primarily be on Lamborghini works driver Bortolotti. The 35-year-old commences his title defence with his new team Abt Sportsline in Oschersleben. Bortolotti lines up in his fourth DTM season and has developed into a thoroughbred qualifying expert. The Vienna resident claimed one of his eight DTM pole positions in Oschersleben last year, and he is hungry to add a first victory at the circuit in the Magdeburg Börde region of Germany this season. "I am pleased that we can finally go racing again, and am full of energy. Defending my title will be a big challenge, but we have all the ingredients to be successful together," says Bortolotti.

Among Bortolotti's biggest rivals are two BMW drivers: Minden-born Rast and two-time champion Marco Wittmann (Fürth) start in two new BMW M4 GT3 Evo. The duo lines up for the Schubert Motorsport team, which is based in Oschersleben, making this weekend a home event. " Last year, we won the Team title. This season we want to be up at the top of the Drivers Championship too. The new Evo package will hopefully bring a bit more performance and make the car even easier to drive," says Rast. Last year's winner in Oschersleben, Jack Aitken (GB) in a Ferrari 296 GT3 for Emil Frey Racing, Porsche works driver Thomas Preining (A/Manthey EMA) and Maro Engel (Monaco) from Mercedes-AMG Team Winward Racing will also be looking to make their first big statement in the title at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben.

Glock comeback and Mustang debut
Timo Glock will line up in his first DTM race since making a guest appearance in 2022. The former Formula 1 driver is making his comeback at the wheel of a McLaren 720S GT3 Evo with Dörr Motorsport. Oschersleben will also provide the stage for the DTM premiere of the Ford Mustang GT3. The powerful car boasts a 5.4-litre V8 engine. At the wheel of the two US race cars run by the HRT Ford Performance team will be Indian Arjun Maini and Fabio Scherer from Switzerland. The Comtoyou Racing team from Belgium is also set to make its DTM debut in Oschersleben. In Nicolas Baert and Gilles Magnus, the team has called on the services of two compatriots in the cockpit of the two Aston Martin Vantage GT3.

Premiere for the new race format
A new race format awaits the DTM stars in Oschersleben: from this season, the teams will scrap for every fraction of a second during two mandatory pit stops in the Sunday race. The Saturday race will still feature just one pit stop. All 16 races last 55 minutes plus one lap. Should the Cupra Safety Car be required to make an appearance, an overtime rule means the race distance can be extended by a maximum two laps. The DTM is also looking for the "Rookie Of The Year" this season - this classification is for young drivers in their first or second season in the DTM.

Busy programme with electric racers and Track Safari
Fans can look forward to an exciting weekend of motorsport at the DTM season-opener. As well as the DTM, visitors will also be treated to the opening round of the season in a further three racing series: ADAC GT4 Germany, the ADAC Touring Car Junior Cup, and the fully-electric NXT Gen Cup will all go racing at the circuit in the Magdeburg Börde region. The DTM Track Safari will be particularly spectacular, as fans are taken for a few laps of the Oschersleben track. The buses full of lucky visitors will be joined by the powerful DTM cars in a special session on Friday.