Mercedes-AMG will attack the 2026 DTM season with one clear objective: reclaim the Drivers’ Championship. The manufacturer will field four proven race winners across two teams, maintaining the same formidable line-up that delivered consistent title contention last year.
Mercedes-AMG will once again rely on Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf and Winward Racing to spearhead its campaign. The latter will operate under the banners of Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol and Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter.
When season 37 begins in April, the most successful manufacturer in DTM history will continue its pursuit of a 13th Drivers’ crown, adding to an already remarkable tally of 12 Drivers’ Championships, 16 Manufacturer titles and 210 race victories.
Lucas Auer: The established title contender leads Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf challenge in 2026 DTM
Lucas Auer leads the Landgraf assault. The Austrian finished runner-up in 2025 after winning twice and leading the standings for much of the season. Now 31, he enters 2026 determined to convert momentum into silverware.
Auer debuted in DTM in 2015 and has since built an impressive résumé with Mercedes-AMG machinery. He secured second place in the championship in both 2022 and 2025, underlining his consistency at the sharp end. Earlier in his career, he claimed the 2011 JK Racing Asia Series title and achieved multiple podiums in FIA Formula 3 European competition. He also competed in Super Formula and worked as a Formula One test driver.
Racing pedigree runs in his blood: he is the nephew of former Formula One driver Gerhard Berger.
“It is no secret that the DTM is something of a motorsport home for me,” said the 31-year-old. “As such, I am very excited about the new season. This will be my second year with Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf – we put on a good show in 2025 and had an unbelievably intense, great and successful season. We want to back that up in 2026 and really push hard again.”
Tom Kalender: Youthful momentum alongside Auer
Alongside Auer, Tom Kalender continues his rapid ascent. At just 17, Kalender already holds the distinction of becoming the youngest ADAC GT Masters champion in history, having secured the 2024 title at 16 years, six months and 23 days old.
He stepped up to DTM in 2025 as a Mercedes-AMG junior driver. Although he faced the inevitable learning curve of a rookie season, he consistently gained valuable experience against one of Europe’s strongest GT grids.
Now entering his second campaign, he aims to translate lessons learned into regular top-ten finishes.
“The DTM means a lot to me, and I am really looking forward to the start of the season,” revealed the driver from Westerwald. “2025 was my rookie year, with good races but also a few setbacks, from which I have learned a lot. I now want to put what I have learned into practice, get closer to the other Mercedes-AMG drivers, and consistently establish myself in the top ten. I have worked hard over the winter – physically and mentally – and come into the new season with a little less pressure.”
Maro Engel: Experience meets ambition at Winward Racing takes on 2026 DTM with Mercedes-AMG backing
At Winward Racing, Maro Engel embarks on his tenth DTM season. The Munich-born driver finished third overall in both 2024 and 2025, narrowly missing a title bid. Engel has built a global reputation in GT racing, collecting victories in endurance classics and international GT championships. However, the DTM crown remains a central objective.
“The DTM is motorsport of the very highest standard – a huge challenge, thrilling battles, and racing at the absolute limit. That is precisely what I am looking forward to. We know what we are capable of, but I am confident that we can do even better. That is what we want to focus on, and we will do everything in our power to do so. The main goal is the DTM title.”
Jules Gounon: Proven GT star on the rise
Jules Gounon completes the four-driver line-up. The Frenchman, racing under an Andorran licence, continues to expand his presence in elite GT competition.
Gounon boasts an outstanding endurance record. He has won the 24 Hours of Spa twice, secured multiple Bathurst 12 Hour victories, captured the 2022 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup title and claimed the 2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge crown.
After completing his first full DTM season in 2025 and securing three podium finishes, he now approaches the new campaign with greater familiarity and deeper technical understanding.
“The DTM is a championship that I really enjoy, because it is uncompromising,” said the Frenchman. “When you get a good result in the DTM, it really feels sensational. My goal is to do my very best and approach the season one race at a time. Last year was my first in the DTM, and also the first time that I had worked with my engineer. I am now far more familiar with the series, and we know each other much better. That is something we want to build on.”
A clear objective for 2026 DTM challenge: Bring the title back to Mercedes-AMG
Christoph Sagemüller, Head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, has set the tone for 2026. The brand last secured the Drivers’ Championship in 2021 and has since finished runner-up twice.
“The DTM is a special platform. Having won the Drivers’ Championship in 2021, our clear goal is to bring the title back to Affalterbach. We have come very close twice, finishing runner-up in the past two years.”
With proven race winners, youthful promise and endurance pedigree combined, Mercedes-AMG enters the 2026 DTM season determined to transform consistency into a championship triumph.
