The DTM will stage its first German round of the 2026 season at the DEKRA Lausitzring from 19 to 21 June. Maro Engel will arrive as the championship leader, with Mercedes-AMG stablemate Lucas Auer in second. BMW driver Marco Wittmann remains close behind in third as the title fight enters its third weekend.
The opening four races produced four different winners. That unpredictability has left the standings tight and created another opportunity for the chasing pack to make progress. The Lausitzring will also host a packed support programme. The ADAC GT Masters, Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland, TGP Championship and the new BMW M2 Cup will all feature across the weekend.
Auer targets more Lausitzring success at first German DTM round in 2026
Auer has built an impressive record at the Brandenburg circuit. The Austrian claimed his first DTM victory there in 2016 and returned to the top step in the opening race of the 2025 weekend. Another strong result could allow the Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf driver to take over the championship lead.
Maro Engel has relied on consistency during the opening rounds. He finished inside the top six in all four races and used strong strategy calls and quick pit stops to recover positions when starting further down the order.
Marco Wittmann will aim to keep BMW in the championship fight. His Schubert Motorsport teammate Kelvin van der Linde also enters the weekend with momentum after winning at Zandvoort. Van der Linde previously won at the Lausitzring in 2024 and also recorded a second-place finish at the circuit.
“I won at the Lausitzring in 2024 and also took a second place. The circuit is great fun and allows good racing. We travel there with good momentum and are fully motivated,” said van der Linde.
McLaren and Ford carry momentum into Lusatia
Ben Dörr moved up to sixth in the standings after a competitive showing at Zandvoort. The Dörr Motorsport driver believes the McLaren team has improved its overall execution after struggling to combine pace and consistency last season.
“Last season we had the pace, but made too many unnecessary mistakes. Either I was fast, but the pit stops were not ideal, or vice versa. This year, we are spot on with everything,” said Dörr.
Finn Wiebelhaus could also challenge near the front. The 20-year-old topped the recent DTM test at the Lausitzring in the HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3. That performance will give the rookie confidence, although the circuit will present a very different challenge during a full race weekend.
The 3.478-kilometre layout contains 12 corners and runs anti-clockwise. Its slow sections, limited straights and uneven surface place a heavy focus on balance and precision. Drivers must also link each corner together cleanly. A mistake in one part of the lap can easily damage the next sequence.
Paul prepares for a home weekend
Maximilian Paul will race in front of a home crowd as the Dresden-born driver returns to the Lausitzring with TGI Team by GRT for the 2026 DTM season. The Lamborghini works driver expects the local support to provide extra motivation.
“It is always very special to race in front of a home crowd. That gives you extra motivation. You have to get every corner exactly right on the demanding track, otherwise the next turn is even tougher, and you lose a lot of time. The way the car handles on the many bumps is also particularly important,” said Paul.
Paul will hope to use his knowledge of the circuit to move forward during a weekend where small setup gains could make a major difference.
Busy schedule on and off the track
Fans will have plenty to follow beyond the two DTM races. The TGP Championship will bring 1,000-horsepower racing trucks to the Lausitzring, while the BMW M2 Cup will make its first appearance on the DTM support bill.
Friday’s programme will include a Track Safari, giving spectators the chance to ride around the circuit in a coach while the DTM cars run nearby. The Fan Zone will then host an open-air screening of Need for Speed on Friday evening.
Saturday’s entertainment will continue on the DTM Power Stage presented by Pirelli. Goldplay.live and DJ Tomekk will perform before Dick Brave, also known as Sasha, headlines the evening. A public screening of Germany’s World Cup match against the Ivory Coast will follow at 22:00.
ProSieben will broadcast both DTM races live, with coverage beginning at 13:00 on Saturday and Sunday. The races will also be available through Joyn, ran.de, ServusTV On and the DTM YouTube channel.
