DTM – Stars and Stories from the season opener in Oschersleben

• Olympic and world champion Hirscher attends as Wings for Life ambassador
• Adrenalin rush for football striker Ailton
• Bodybuilding legend Rühl has fingers crossed for McLaren team

Ski star raises awareness of "Wings for Life World Run"
Marcel Hirscher was at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben to take in the atmosphere at the DTM season opener. The multiple Olympic gold medallist and world champion has petrol running through his veins and has taken part in car races back in his native Austria. The skiing icon was in Oschersleben to raise awareness of the Wings for Life foundation. The new charity partner of the DTM is committed to finding cures for spinal cord injuries. Hirscher has participated in the highlight event, the "Wings for Life World Run", on several occasions in the past. "I have often been to see the DTM and enjoy this special atmosphere. Being this close to the action is unique," said Hirscher. The visitors in Oschersleben included Anita Gerhardter (CEO of the Wings for Life foundation), who presented her foundation's vision to guests in the DTM VIP Hospitality on Saturday evening. Among those taking part in the "Wings for Life World Run" on 4th May will be "Team DTM", allowing all DTM fans to run together with the stars of the DTM (registration at wingsforlifeworldrun.com).

"The German Beast" in the Börde
The crowds at the DTM in Oschersleben included a genuine bodybuilding legend: Markus Rühl took a close look at the powerful race cars, talked shop with the drivers, and followed Sunday's race as a guest of Dörr Motorsport from the McLaren team's garage. "I have a friendly contact with the guys at Dörr Motorsport. As a qualified mechanic, I am obviously interested in the cars. I have repaired the drum brakes on a Golf 1 myself, but the technology here is obviously something else completely. I have taken a taxi ride round the Nordschleife, but would love to do that at the DTM. Preferably with Ben Dörr at the wheel," said Rühl.

Ailton experiences speed in the DTM Innovation Taxi
Ex-Bundesliga footballer Ailton was known for his speed and power around the penalty area during his time as a player. In Oschersleben, the former top scorer and footballer of the year experienced the full power of the Schaeffler DTM Innovation Taxi. The ride round the circuit in the Magdeburg Börde region impressed Ailton, who is a fan of fast cars: "That was unbelievable! The speed, the hard braking - pure adrenalin. The way Markus Winkelhock drove was class. He is a professional, after all. I am a motorsport fan, and this atmosphere at the DTM is one of a kind." Maximilian Arnold took a more relaxed approach. The 30-year-old captain of VfL Wolfsburg visited his friend Luca Engstler in Oschersleben on Sunday, and enjoyed the special atmosphere in the DTM paddock and the garage of TGI Team Lamborghini by GRT. After the race, he presented the trophy to the third-placed driver.

The FIA visits the DTM
Among the guests of the DTM in Oschersleben was a high-ranking FIA delegation, along with three ADAC board members. The delegation, consisting of Alberto Villareal (General Manager FIA) and Willem Groenewald (FIA Secretary General for Automobile Mobility), watched the first two races of the 2025 DTM live at the circuit and were impressed by the event in Oschersleben. ADAC Sport Director Dr. Gerd Ennser also followed the DTM action in the Magdeburg Börde region with fellow board members Dr. Hilmar Siebert (ADAC Vice President) and Karlheinz Jungbeck (ADAC Tourism President).

Busy programme for DJ Tomekk
DJ Tomekk was a guest of Abt Sportsline and Schaeffler in Oschersleben, where he was a busy man: on Saturday afternoon, he sent the DTM field into the first race of the season with the "Drivers start your engines" sign. In the evening, DJ Tomekk performed "Fiona - Maschinen aus Stahl", the brand-new title song for his idol Marco Wittmann's "Green Machine". The BMW driver was impressed. "I don't know any other DTM drivers who have their own song. That is super cool. DJ Tomekk really thrilled spectators during his live appearance on Saturday evening."

Track cycling ace Kluge is astounded by "endless thrust"
Track cyclist Roger Kluge, a multiple world and European champion, travelled from Eisenhüttenstadt to experience the DTM opener in person. The 39-year-old took the opportunity to check out the DTM cars up close and personal. A ride in the DTM Innovation Taxi was a special experience for the 39-year-old. "I have cycled round the circuit on a bike, but the speed is exhilarating in a race car. The driving style is brutal - you brake extremely late and have endless thrust. If the straights were any longer, you would probably take off," said Kluge after his ride in the 640-hp Audi R8 LMS GT2.

Gilles Magnus impressed by fan support
The season opener in Oschersleben was a festival for drivers and fans alike. Tens of thousands of visitors flocked through the paddock, watched the action unfold from the packed grandstands, and mobbed the DTM drivers during autograph sessions. Newcomer Gilles Magnus, who drives an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 for Comtoyou Racing, was impressed: "The fact that the spectators can get so close to the drivers and cars at a high-class motorsport event like the DTM is unique. To experience the delight of the fans, and their support, so directly is just awesome. That gives us a drivers a real push for the races."

Presentation at the DTM - BMW unveils its new race car
Premiere in Oschersleben: visitors were able to take a close look at the new BMW M2 Racing at the weekend. Shortly before it goes on sale, BMW M Motorsport presented its entry-level model for customer teams to the public. From 2026, the BMW M2 Racing will line up around the world and be used in various national and international sprint series, as well as at endurance events.

Track Safari delights fans
Timo Glock has seen a lot in his career. However, the Track Safari on Friday afternoon in Oschersleben was something new for the experienced German. For the first time, the former Formula 1 driver came across buses full of fans on the track. "The Track Safari is a mega cool thing and certainly a unique experience for the fans. I have never experienced it before, so initially kept my distance a little when overtaking - the track is very narrow in many places in Oschersleben."

Commemorative plaque for Mirko Bortolotti and Olaf Manthey
Special recognition for Mirko Bortolotti and Olaf Manthey: on Friday afternoon, the reigning DTM champion and the former racing driver and founder of the Manthey company were each honoured with a golden plaque on the "Motorsport Walk of Fame" in front of the entrance area at Hotel Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. Hotel director Johannes Koch also presented them both with lifetime access to the VIP area at Motorsport Arena. "That is a great honour for me. I first drove here in 2009 and immediately made it onto the podium. I like the circuit and am always very happy to return," said Bortolotti. Olaf Manthey: "A lot of big names have been immortalised here. As such, this plaque is a special honour and acknowledgement."