Marco Wittmann will aim to convert strong early-season form and considerable home support into a podium when the DTM visits the Norisring in 2026.
The Team Schubert driver enters the weekend fourth in the championship after consistently fighting near the front during the opening three rounds. However, he also returns to the circuit that produced his most difficult weekend of the 2025 campaign.
Speaking during a pre-event press conference attended by Pit Debrief, Wittmann explained that he expects the Norisring’s compact layout, concrete walls and strategic uncertainty to create another unpredictable event. At the same time, the presence of his family, friends, fan club and Schaeffler supporters will make the round particularly significant.
Norisring remains Wittmann’s season highlight
The Norisring stands apart as the only street circuit on the DTM calendar. Its short lap combines long straights with tight hairpins, while the surrounding barriers leave drivers with little margin for error.
For Wittmann, however, the event’s significance extends beyond the circuit itself. His connection to the region and the atmosphere created by the spectators make it the most important weekend of his season.
“Yes, for me personally, it is the highlight of the season. It is the only street circuit on the calendar. And, of course, the atmosphere at the Norisring is always unique. With the entire fan backdrop, it is something very, very special.”
That atmosphere will offer an immediate change from Wittmann’s previous racing weekend in the United States. He arrived at the pre-event press conference after a difficult trip and showed little interest in revisiting the experience.
Wittmann expects significant improvement from 2025
The Norisring produced Wittmann’s weakest weekend of the 2025 season. He left without points and retired from the Sunday race, despite challenging near the front at several other circuits. As a result, he arrives this year expecting a considerable improvement.
“Significantly more than last year. Last year, I went home with zero points. It was the most difficult weekend of 2025. I also retired on Sunday. So it can almost only get better. My expectation and my hope are that we will have a good weekend.”
Wittmann has stronger foundations on which to build this time. Although Team Schubert has not always enjoyed optimal performance, he believes the squad has consistently maximised its opportunities.
“We were able to make the most of the first three weekends with good results, points and podium finishes, including at the Lausitzring, despite not having optimal performance. So I am satisfied with my season so far.”
Those results have kept Wittmann close to the leading championship contenders. Nevertheless, the Norisring carries greater emotional significance than the other rounds because of its proximity to his home and the support he receives there.
A repeat of 2018 would fulfil home ambition
Wittmann claimed his best Norisring result in 2018, when he won in front of the home crowd. That victory remains the standard he hopes to reach again.
“Now we are heading to my home race. The hope of achieving a good result in front of the home crowd is definitely there. 2018 was my best year at the Norisring, with the victory, and if I could repeat that, it would of course be a dream.”
A repeat will require a competitive qualifying performance and clean execution in both races. The short lap often produces extremely narrow gaps, which means even a minor error can cost several grid positions.
Wittmann believes his increasingly settled relationship with Team Schubert gives him a better chance of meeting that challenge.
Team continuity strengthens Wittmann’s confidence ahead of 2026 DTM Norisring round
Wittmann has worked with largely the same group of engineers and mechanics since last season. That consistency has allowed both sides to develop a clear understanding of what they need from each other.
“I think consistency is one factor. I have clearly settled in at Team Schubert. We were also able to keep the crew, engineers and mechanics almost identical to last year.”
Retaining the same personnel has also strengthened the trust within the team. Wittmann can communicate his requirements more efficiently, while his engineers already understand how he responds to changes in the car.
“That helps enormously when you can trust your colleagues blindly, when you go into your second year and work together, when the engineers know what the driver needs and, of course, vice versa. That helps enormously.”
That established working relationship gives Team Schubert a reliable starting point at each round. Instead of rebuilding its processes, the squad can focus on refining the BMW M4 GT3 for the demands of each circuit.
New tyre adds another technical challenge to 2026 DTM Norisring outing
The introduction of a new DTM tyre has still required Wittmann and Team Schubert to adjust their approach. However, he believes continuity gives the team a stronger platform from which to understand those changes.
“You have a certain foundation with which you go into the race weekends. You can then build on that. Of course, one or two things have changed. A new DTM tyre has also come into play this year. Nevertheless, you can work much better with this foundation. I think that is a factor that is very important and decisive in the DTM.”
The tyre could play a particularly important role at the Norisring. Drivers must brake heavily at the hairpins while also generating traction onto the long straights, making confidence in the car essential.
Tyre temperature will also influence the strategic battle once the mandatory pit stops begin.
Green Wall brings Wittmann motivation rather than pressure ahead of 2026 DTM Norisring outing
Wittmann will receive some of the strongest support of any driver during the weekend. His family, friends and fan club will attend, while Schaeffler employees and guests will gather to form the Green Wall. Although that attention creates additional expectations, Wittmann does not regard it as a burden.
“I would describe it more as motivation. Not as pressure. It is simply nice to see that you have so much support.”
The scale of that backing gives the event a personal significance that no other round can match.
“At the home race, from the fans, my own fan club, family and friends are there. Many Schaeffler employees, male and female, who create the Green Wall and appear strongly in green. I think it is a really beautiful feeling when you see that there is so much support.”
Rather than allowing the occasion to distract him, Wittmann intends to use the crowd’s enthusiasm to strengthen his performance.
“So I would not call it pressure, but rather additional motivation.”
That motivation could prove valuable if Wittmann needs to recover from a difficult qualifying session. However, the Norisring does not always make overtaking straightforward.
Hairpins offer limited passing opportunities
Wittmann has developed a reputation for recovering positions during races. His ability to advance through the field has earned him the DTM’s Comeback King honour nine times across the past season and a half. Nevertheless, he expects overtaking to remain challenging at the Norisring.
“Generally, overtaking is somewhat difficult, even though we have the long straights. But I think, as we know, a lot can always happen. Especially with the tight hairpins.”
The heavy braking zones offer the clearest opportunities, but they also create a high risk of contact. Drivers must judge each move carefully because the walls and limited space can turn a minor incident into a retirement.
Alongside direct overtaking, Wittmann expects pit strategy to influence the running order.
Cold tyres could transform strategic battle
Drivers will return to the circuit with limited grip after completing their mandatory stops. Those cold tyres may create opportunities for rivals who already have their rubber within the correct operating window.
“Also with the strategy. Then, of course, there is the subject of the cold tyres after the pit stop. Those are all key factors that come into play.”
Teams must therefore consider more than the timing of the stop itself. They must also account for traffic, tyre preparation and the driver’s ability to defend immediately after leaving the pits. Those variables contribute to the unpredictability that has defined many previous Norisring races.
“That is why the Norisring always provides spectacular races. In principle, anything is possible, even though overtaking itself can sometimes be difficult.”
That unpredictability reflects the wider competitiveness Wittmann sees across the modern DTM.
Wittmann praises DTM’s competitive depth ahead of 2026 Norising round
Wittmann has raced through several eras of the championship and remains one of its most experienced drivers. He believes the recent seasons have produced particularly strong competition, with numerous drivers capable of fighting for race victories and the championship.
“I think that, overall, we have seen very strong racing in the DTM in recent years. Many good battles and many good races. Last year alone, we had a championship fight involving eight or nine candidates until the final race. Or until the final race weekend.”
The number of title contenders ensured that every result carried significant consequences. It also demonstrated the narrow margins between the teams and manufacturers.
For Wittmann, that uncertainty represents one of the championship’s greatest strengths.
Close title fights attract larger crowds
The competitive racing has coincided with increasing spectator interest.
“That shows that there is excitement in it. I think that also proves the DTM right. In terms of the spectator numbers, which are constantly growing, it feels like we break new spectator records every year or at every event.”
The championship has also worked to make its events more appealing to families. Activities away from the circuit allow younger supporters to engage with the weekend even when cars are not on track.
“I think a lot of things have been done correctly. Also regarding families, getting families to come to the circuit and having a certain programme available for the children.”
The Norisring reflects that approach particularly well. Its central setting, compact layout and busy event programme allow spectators to remain involved throughout the weekend.
However, Wittmann believes the DTM’s accessibility remains just as important as its entertainment programme.
Fan access remains central to DTM identity
The close relationship between drivers and spectators has long distinguished the DTM from many other major championships.
“Of course, something that has always been present in the DTM is the closeness to the fans, where the drivers are extremely close to the fans and the fans can also really get close to everything that is happening. I think all of that in combination shows that the DTM is booming and alive.”
That connection becomes especially visible at Wittmann’s home race. Supporters can follow the action from nearby grandstands before meeting drivers and observing teams within the paddock environment.
The DTM has also benefited from increasing interest in GT3 racing beyond its own events.
Verstappen adds attention to GT3 racing
Wittmann believes Max Verstappen’s involvement in GT3 competition has drawn new spectators towards the category.
“Additionally, as Wolfgang said, the subject of Max Verstappen in GT3 has, of course, also helped all of us. It triggered the boom at the Nürburgring during the 24-hour race, and that naturally brought a certain amount of attention from the spectators towards GT3 racing again. That ultimately helps all of us.”
Although the attention initially centred on Verstappen, it also exposed more supporters to GT3 cars, teams and championships.
The DTM can build on that interest through the close competition that produced its dramatic 2025 finale.
Hockenheim finale remains a major talking point
Wittmann played a central role in the conclusion to the 2025 season at Hockenheim. He battled Ayhancan Güven for the race victory on the final lap while the championship remained undecided. The footage spread rapidly online and remained a frequent topic during the weeks that followed.
“It is slowly becoming a little quieter now, but the weeks afterwards were extreme. The videos went viral online. Of course, a final lap with the championship fight at stake, you cannot write a story like that.”
Wittmann approached the battle with a different objective from Güven. He wanted the race victory, while his rival needed the result to secure the championship.
“In the end, it was not about the championship for me, but only about the race victory. But for him, winning was decisive in order to secure the title. It was a nail-biting finale, exactly as you would want it to be.”
That conclusion demonstrated the spectacle Wittmann believes the DTM can deliver. He now hopes the Norisring produces another memorable race, although this time he wants to stand at the centre of the celebrations.
Wittmann backs himself for victory at 2026 DTM Norisring round
When asked to name the favourite for the weekend, Wittmann gave a direct response.
“I hope it is me.”
Victory remains his ultimate objective, particularly in front of the Green Wall. Nevertheless, he also recognises the importance of protecting his championship position and maximising the available points.
“Of course, in the end, you always want to win, but a good weekend would be if we could finish on the podium and go home on Sunday with good points.”
A podium would represent a significant improvement from his scoreless 2025 appearance and reward the supporters gathered for his home event.
However, Wittmann will begin the weekend aiming higher. With a settled team, strong early-season form and considerable local backing, he hopes to repeat his 2018 success and give the Norisring crowd another home victory to celebrate.
