– The new DTM season begins next weekend in Spielberg (all info on TV times, stream, etc.) with a new grid of 21 drivers. Compared to last year, it sees four prominent departures: In addition to Manthey champion Ayhancan Güven, who is moving from Porsche to Formula E, figurehead Rene Rast, Emil Frey Ferrari driver Jack Aitken, and Grasser discovery Jordan Pepper are also no longer competing.
Read more Max Verstappen on the Nordschleife: Between victory chance and tragedy
Rast and Aitken are focusing on prototypes this year, Pepper moved to BMW, where there is currently no free spot in DTM. The departures offer other top talents from the 21-man strong driver field of the 2026 DTM season the chance to fill this gap. We have checked all drivers in a photo gallery and explain what to expect from them in 2026.
Despite the departure of four top drivers, the grid for the new season is also absolutely top-class, because DTM, with its one-driver-per-car concept, which is unique in GT3 sport apart from the GT World Cup in Macao, attracts the crème de la crème of GT factory drivers.
Drivers from eleven nations, lion’s share from Germany
The 21 drivers of the 2026 season come from a total of eleven nations. With eight drivers, DTM’s home country Germany, as usual, accounts for the lion’s share. Italy is in second place with three drivers, followed by Austria and Denmark with two starters each. Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, France, India, and South Africa each provide one driver.
Photo gallery: DTM driver field 2026: These 21 drivers are at the start
In total, eleven race winners and three DTM champions will be at the start in 2026. The average age this year is 29.5. Last year, it was 28.6 at the start of the season, so the field has become slightly older.
Read more Doohan praises Marc Marquez: “Shows what a champion he is”
Eight departures, five newcomers compared to 2025
But has the field changed significantly compared to the 2025 season finale? In addition to the four top talents already mentioned who have left DTM, Manthey-Porsche driver Morris Schuring, HRT-Ford driver Fabio Scherer, Emil-Frey-Ferrari driver Ben Green, and Comtoyou-Aston-Martin driver Gilles Magnus are also no longer competing this year, which means a total of eight departures.
However, there are five newcomers in the starting field for the 2026 season, four of whom are true rookies and have not yet competed in a single DTM race. Entering DTM should not be underestimated, because in the traditional series, tires – unlike in the GT World Challenge Europe – are not allowed to be heated.
Getting the tires up to temperature for the optimal qualifying lap is the great art in DTM – and requires experience. What doesn’t make it easier: DTM has a restrictive testing limitation, which only allows drivers four more test days after the season opener in Spielberg next weekend.
Read more Jenson Button on his world champion car: These things are “crazy”
