Arena action in Oschersleben: Stage set for the DTM

• Championship leader Thiim arrives in Oschersleben on the crest of a wave
• Mercedes-AMG duo Engel and Auer lurking within striking distance
• Packed programme: Junior series and cult cars

Munich. It's going to be a scorching hot holiday season in Oschersleben: The DTM is shifting up a gear at the Motorsport Arena, as it kicks off the second half of the season with races nine and ten from 24th to 26th July. The man to catch at Germany's most northern racetrack is a Viking. Denmark's Nicki Thiim (Comtoyou Racing) tops the table after his triumphant weekend at the Norisring. However, there is a strong Mercedes-AMG duo lurking within striking distance, in the form of Maro Engel (Monaco/Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol) and Lucas Auer (A/Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf). When the stars of the DTM battle it out for every tenth of a second in the Börde region, visitors will have a great view of the track, thanks to the circuit's arena character. Tickets start at € 49 and are available at dtm.com. Admission is free for under 16s when accompanied by an adult. ProSieben is showing the races live on free-to-air TV, with coverage starting at 13:00 on Saturday and Sunday. The two races will also be streamed live and free of charge on Joyn, ran.de, ServusTV On, and the DTM YouTube channel.

Key facts, Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, races 9 and 10 of 16

• Circuit length: 3,667 metres
• Layout: 14 corners (seven right, seven left), driven clockwise
• 2025 winner, race 1: Lucas Auer (Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf, Mercedes-AMG GT3)
• 2025 winner, race 2: Ayhancan Güven (Manthey EMA, Porsche 911 GT3 R)

Can Thiim maintain his level?
Thiim comes into the Oschersleben weekend as the man of the moment. Having picked up the maximum 56 points at the Norisring, the Aston Martin driver now leads the DTM standings for the first time. "I am still a bit stunned to be championship leader in the DTM. My father drove in this series for a long time, and it was always a childhood dream of mine to follow in his footsteps. The Motorsport Arena is a bit like a home circuit for me. It is only about four hours from Denmark, so my family will be here supporting me," says Thiim.

Mercedes-AMG drivers Engel and Auer trail Thiim by just nine and eleven points respectively. Second-placed Engel has scored points as consistently as ever this season, and made it onto the Oschersleben podium in 2024 and 2025. Auer has also impressed with his consistency, finishing on the podium on four occasions already this year - more than any other driver in the field. The secret to his success: "I always take it one race at a time. In the DTM, everything is very close. You only get top drivers on the grid. Everything can change at any time, so my focus is only ever on the next job - whether it be free practice, qualifying or racing. Motorsport Arena Oschersleben suits us and, above all, the Mercedes-AMG GT3, which is a very good all-rounder," reveals the Austrian, who tasted victory in the Magdeburg Börde region last year.

There is also plenty to keep an eye on in the chasing pack behind the top three: just 20 points separate fourth-placed Matteo Cairoli (I/Emil Frey Racing) and Ford youngster Finn Wiebelhaus (Obertshausen/HRT Ford Racing) in tenth. Cairoli in the Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo is the only driver other than Thiim to have two wins to his name this season, and could close the gap to the leading group with a strong display in Oschersleben. Wiebelhaus' form has improved significantly of late. At the Norisring, the "Road to DTM" winner was involved in a thrilling battle with Thiim, before ending the Sunday race in second place. "For me, Oschersleben is a real old-school circuit," says Wiebelhaus. "There is hardly any discussion about track limits, because you have grass or gravel next to the track. You drive to the limit, and notice immediately when you have crossed it. I like that. The track is tight, technical, and has a nice rhythm."

Home outing for Schubert Motorsport at the arena spectacle
Motorsport Arena Oschersleben is one of the most technically demanding circuits on the DTM calendar. The many corners with different radii shape the 3.667-kilometre circuit near Magdeburg. The top speed of roughly 250 km/h comes at the end of the 700-metre start/finish straight. The best overtaking opportunities are just before the tight left-hander at the end of that straight. One particular feature is the arena character of the circuit, which gives spectators perfect views of the full-throttle spectacle from high above track level. The fans will be keeping an eye on the two BMW M4 GT3 of Schubert Motorsport. The team is based just a few minutes from the racetrack. Schubert Motorsport, with two-time champion Marco Wittmann (Fürth) and Kelvin van der Linde from South Africa, will be looking to make full use of their home advantage.

Stars of tomorrow and cult cars
The support programme for the DTM features the stars of tomorrow: ADAC GT4 Germany and the ADAC Touring Car Junior Cup offer talented youngsters a professional platform, on which to gain experience and establish themselves in the world of motor racing. Contrast is provided by demonstration laps from some vintage DTM cars. The legendary racers, complete with their unmistakable sound, will take to the track on all three days of the events, taking spectators on a nostalgic trip through four decades of the DTM.