DTM (German Touring Car Masters) has undergone significant changes in anticipation of announcing its 2023 calendar. It was originally planned to announce the DTM 2023 calendar in September. However, Gerhard Berger has confirmed that ITR will be closing, and responsibility will be taken over by ADAC. The Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix clashed with the plans as well. Having agreed on everything today, let’s check the revised schedule for the German Touring Car Masters and see how it moves back to its roots.
DTM 2023 Calendar
| Dates | Circuit | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 26.05. – 28.05.2023 | Motorsport Arena Oschersleben | Germany |
| 23.06. – 25.06.2023 | Circuit Zandvoort | Netherlands |
| 07.07. – 09.07.2023 | Norisring | Germany |
| 04.08. – 06.08.2023 | Nürburgring | Germany |
| 18.08. – 20.08.2023 | DEKRA Lausitzring | Germany |
| 08.09. – 10.09.2023 | Sachsenring | Germany |
| 22.09. – 24.09.2023 | Red Bull Ring | Austria |
| 20.10. – 22.10.2023 | Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg | Germany |
The DTM 2023 calendar has been designed in the most efficient way to avoid clashes with Formula 1, Formula E, GT World Challenge Europe and the Nurburgring 24 Hours.
The DTM season launches at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben on May 26-28, before the series travels to Zandvoort for its first race in the Netherlands since 2021.
The legendary Norisring round will take place a week later than usual on July 7-9 due to the change in date for Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix. You can check the Formula 1 schedule for 2023.
The series returns to the Nurburgring on August 4-6 after a month-long break. The Lausitzring hosts the fifth roundSachsenring and Red Bull Ring will follow in September.
The championship finishes at the Hockenheimring – the series’ traditional venue for the season finale – on 20-22 October.
What’s changing in the DTM for 2023?
ADAC as the DTM owner.
Previous owner ITR and Deutscher Automobil Club spent a great deal of time negotiating before deciding to transfer responsibility. However, ADAC already owns the GT Masters Cup. Therefore, the main dilemma for now is clashing dates of races between different championships. Although it is more of a rhetorical question, especially if it pertains to the future.
Despite this, the new owner promises no significant changes, but rather they will promote and make the DTM a more attractive racing championship. ADAC intends to maintain the concept of the DTM and will retain the characteristics that have made the brand so special for just short of 40 years. Although some changes are still in the works.
Thus, the DTM now sits at the top of the revamped ADAC umbrella, with GT Masters and Prototype Cup Germany occupying the space directly below it under the DTM Endurance banner.
However, the DTM intends to keep its existing single-driver, sprint race format in 2023. The rules need to be changed for drivers.
Another game changer is that Pirelli taking over from Michelin as the official tyre supplier. The renewable Shell fuel which was utilised in the ADAC GT Masters in 2022, will also be used in the DTM 2023 season.
In addition, there is a plan to focus on environmental protection and to reduce plastic waste in the paddock. Significant measures to reduce budgets are also planned for competitors.
In other words, as the new owner of the German Touring Car Masters, ADAC has as many plans as possible in every direction. Environmental protection, rules changes, and the calendar for 2023 are all covered. However, each change takes time. In this light, it is no wonder that many pundits describe the current season as the DTM returning to its roots.
Is DTM Moving Back To The Origins?
As you see six of the eight rounds of DTM championship will take place in Germany. One of the races in German-speaking Austria. Thus, the race in the Netherlands is the only international race on the calendar.
The DTM 2023 calendar was designed with a focus on German-speaking nations instead of expanding the series to more destinations in Europe, as it was previously.
Thus, in the DTM 2022 season, there were three international venues: Italian Monza, Portugal’s Portimao and Belgian Spa Francorchamps. As a result, it is a real surprise to not see Portimao on the list after a successful debut.
The 2023 season consists almost entirely of German venues. In short yes, the German DTM is back to its roots. Furthermore, the new owner, ADAC (German Automobile Club) is also planning to change the regulations in the near future, which could have significant implications. It is not as easy as it may seem.
Instead of a summary
With hundreds of thousands of fans around the globe, the DTM championship is a popular racing championship. There have been previous attempts to hold the German Touring Car Masters at different international destinations in Europe that have succeeded in attracting new audiences. ADAC, the new owner of the DTM, does not plan to continue such a policy in 2023. That is for a reason.
It is likely that the 2023 season will not be a breakthrough for DTM fans. In some ways, it is a trial and error method for ADAC as the new owner. Thus, we will not see the result before mid-2024. Besides, they are aiming to increase interest in DTM, which means that there will be more venues on the schedule including the internationals.
Eventually, all regulations will be in order, so the goal will be up to date. One thing is clear for sure, the DTM series is returning back to its roots, at least in the near future.
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