McLaren driver Dörr shines in DTM test at the Red Bull Ring

• DTM drivers use dress rehearsal for fine tuning
• Exclusive new DTM tyre from Pirelli put through its paces
• Luca Engstler is the most industrious driver with 133 laps in Austria

Spielberg. Final chance to take stock before the start of the season: the drivers and teams at the Red Bull Ring in Austria for the official DTM test on Tuesday took the opportunity to make final adjustments to their race cars ahead of the season opener, which takes place at the same venue in exactly ten days' time. In two sessions held under competitive conditions, the drivers worked hard to gather valuable data and evaluate how they compare to the opposition. Particular focus was on the new Pirelli slick, which was developed exclusively for the DTM. Made in Germany, the new tyre was given its first outing in the DTM at the Alpine circuit in Styria.

After over seven hours of driving, the final 60 minutes of which were held in light rain, it was Ben Dörr (Butzbach/Dörr Motorsport) who ended the DTM dress rehearsal as the day's best. The 21-year-old set the fastest lap time of 1:28.199 minutes in his McLaren 720S GT3 Evo. "We did our qualifying programme a little earlier than the other teams. However, we also performed well in the rain later on, and have made progress compared to last year. The new tyre feels great and is a little softer. That could help us in the races, as, in the past, it took us a relatively long time to get the tyre up to the right temperature," said Dörr.

Thierry Vermeulen (NL/Emil Frey Racing) was also full of praise for the new Pirelli tyre. "We drove qualifying and race simulations, which gave us a good feel for the tyres. We were very happy. On the whole, the performance seems strong. We seemed to be a bit faster over one lap, and it behaved very consistently on the long run. You get the feeling that you can manage the wear better. That is definitely a step forward. I also find it exciting that the DTM now has its own exclusive tyre," said the Dutchman.

Kelvin van der Linde (ZA/Schubert Motorsport) returns to the DTM this year, and lines up in a BMW M4 GT3 Evo. The South African completed 83 laps in the second test session, amassing more kilometres than any other driver. "Opportunities to test are limited in the DTM, so every kilometre at the racetrack is extremely valuable," said van der Linde. "I got to know the car last year. That was an important step ahead of my first DTM season with BMW. My goal is clear: I want to win the DTM at last."

Maro Engel (Monaco/Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol) is looking ahead to his tenth season in the DTM, and is pinning his hopes on continuity. Engel: "I am working with the same team as last year, and also know the car very well. That is certainly one of our strengths. We ran various simulations today, and are ready for the season. It is great that the opening round is at the Red Bull Ring. I love driving at this circuit, and really like the region."

The new Lamborghini Temerario GT3 made its first outing in the DTM at the circuit in the Austrian Alps. With this in mind, Luca Engstler (Kempten/Red Bull Team Abt) completed 133 laps with his new car, making him the most industrious driver. His summary: "A new car means a lot of work, but it is also an exciting challenge. We still have a few intensive days and longer nights ahead of us, as we want to get the maximum out of the car and be well prepared for the start of the season."

In total, the 21 drivers completed 2,279 laps at the final test at the Red Bull Ring. That is a total distance of 9,859 kilometres.

Result of 2026 pre-season test
1. Ben Dörr (Butzbach/Dörr Motorsport), 1:28.199 minutes
2. Jules Gounon (F/Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter), 1:28.217 minutes
3. Thomas Preining (A/Manthey), 1:28.354 minutes
4. Lucas Auer (A/Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf), 1:28.473 minutes
5. Tom Kalender (Hamm/Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf), 1:28.481 minutes

The full result can be found in the ADAC Motorsport Media Portal at media.adac-motorsport.de.