– The Nürburgring (all info on TV times, stream, etc.) will be a key weekend in terms of the DTM title fight: Do the pursuers from Ferrari, Ford, BMW, and McLaren still have a chance to catch the leading quartet, or will the two Mercedes-AMG drivers Maro Engel and Lucas Auer, Aston Martin driver Nicki Thiim, and Porsche’s former champion Thomas Preining decide the title fight among themselves?
Read more Gabriel Bortoleto: Not only driving for Audi in 2027 but also beyond
This will also depend on the Balance of Performance (BoP). But how were the vehicles classified? The Mercedes-AMG GT3 remains unchanged compared to Oschersleben, but on paper is rated better than last year in the Eifel. However, this is due to the engine mapping for the 2026 season offering less power.
The front-engine car is ten kilograms lighter than at the final Nürburgring BoP 2025, where Auer and Engel finished third and fourth. Additionally, the restrictor is 0.5 millimeters larger. So the car should be competitive.
Aston Martin rated significantly worse than in 2025
The Aston Martin of title contender Thiim receives slightly less boost pressure than on Sunday in Oschersleben, where the car was helped significantly after a difficult start. Compared to last year at the Nürburgring, however, the Vantage is rated significantly worse.
It is not only ten kilograms heavier and has a 0.02 less favorable lambda value, which affects power, but also receives much less boost pressure: in the very low rpm range almost 0.19 bar less, in the mid to high range about 0.1 bar less.
However, the Comtoyou team was neither as well prepared driver-wise nor technically last year as in 2026 – and Gilles Magnus was up front on Sunday with third on the grid and seventh in the race.
Another top speed problem for Porsche?
The Porsche of Oschersleben dominator Preining is rated similarly to the track in the Magdeburg Börde, but with five kilograms more ballast on board. Compared to 2025, the car is five kilograms lighter, but receives a restrictor 1.5 millimeters smaller, now only 41.5 millimeters in diameter.
Already last year at the Nürburgring, Preining complained about top speed and said he was “eaten up” on the straights – and with the Evo package of the 911 GT3 R, the top speed weakness was recently glaring. So it would not be surprising if the Porsche has difficulties again in duels.
Read more Cadillac: Camera rumors unfounded, but «things can change»
Less boost pressure for BMW than in Oschersleben
How were the pursuers rated? The BMW is hardly comparable to last year’s car due to the new turbocharger introduced in 2026. Compared to the BoP on Oschersleben Sunday, when the car was competitive on the “fear track,” the boost pressure was significantly reduced – in the mid-range by up to 0.08 bar. Additionally, the car is ten kilograms heavier than in Oschersleben and last year at the Nürburgring.
The Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo is rated similarly in terms of boost pressure as in Oschersleben, but the Emil Frey team is allowed to remove ten kilograms from the weight box. Compared to 2025, the boost pressure in the very low range was reduced by a whopping 0.47 bar. In the rest of the rpm band, it is similar to last year.
Photo gallery: DTM race at the Nürburgring: Who has won the most races since 1984?
The Ford Mustang GT3 Evo must lose a lot at the HRT home race: Compared to the fear track Oschersleben, where Arjun Maini was a strong fifth, the restrictor is reduced by one millimeter and the weight increased by ten kilograms.
25 kilograms more weight and less power for Ford
But the comparison with 2025 is particularly severe: The car, which was still used without the Evo package back then, is 25 kilograms heavier and has a restrictor one millimeter smaller.
For the first time in a while, the BoP of the Lamborghini Temerario GT3 was also adjusted this time: After the supposed Oschersleben victory – Mirko Bortolotti was disqualified afterwards – the new car is five kilograms heavier and receives 0.02 bar less boost pressure in the mid-range.
- Formula 1Flavio Briatore: This is what Liberty Media does better than Bernie Ecclestone
- DTMDisqualification and appeal! Huge fuss about DTM winner Bortolotti
- MotoGPWhy Aprilia is so strong: Fernandez names the decisive factor
- MotoGPKTM: Günther Steiner stops rumors about Maverick Vinales’ exit
The McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, with which Ben Dörr took the first pole at the Nürburgring last year, has less boost pressure across the entire rpm range than in 2025 – in the mid-range by up to 0.08 bar. And it is ten kilograms heavier. Compared to Oschersleben, the boost pressure was increased by up to 0.02 bar.
Read more Flavio Briatore: This is what Liberty Media does better than Bernie Ecclestone
