"Losing more than 0.3 seconds": Oschersleben BoP already under criticism

– In Oschersleben (all info on TV times, stream etc.) the second half of the 2026 DTM season begins this weekend: While Aston Martin driver Nicki Thiim and the two Mercedes-AMG factory drivers Maro Engel and Lucas Auer have put themselves in a good starting position at the top of the standings, the challengers from Porsche, BMW and Ferrari are under pressure and urgently need to catch up.

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But is that even possible with the Balance of Performance (BoP) for Oschersleben? “We are losing more than 0.3 seconds compared to last year – and we were no longer among the fastest after the 2025 BoP adjustment!”, complains Emil Frey technical director Jürg Flach.

His driver Matteo Cairoli is in fourth place in the overall standings, 34 points behind, as the first pursuer of the leading trio. However, the classification of the Ferrari is “not appropriate according to our analyses,” notes the Emil Frey technical director.

This is how the Ferrari comparison with Oschersleben 2025 turns out

In fact, the Ferrari, whose Evo version was introduced this year, has become five kilograms heavier compared to Oschersleben 2025. The boost pressure – apart from the very low rpm range – is lower across the entire rpm band, and even up to 0.07 bar lower in the upper range. This costs engine power.

In addition, since the Lausitzring, there has been a higher ground clearance on both axles, which has a negative effect in corners. This is intended to somewhat curb the excellent aerodynamics of the vehicle, which is used more for top speed in other series than by Emil Frey in the DTM.

McLaren team Dörr warns: One second slower than 2025?

It is striking, however, that other vehicles are also classified significantly less favorably compared to Oschersleben 2025, at least on paper: The McLaren, which is only partially suited to Oschersleben due to the high curbs and tight corners, weighs a hefty 35 kilograms more than last year.

In addition, the boost pressure has been reduced across the entire rpm range compared to 2025 – by up to 0.07 bar in the mid-range.

“We have lost some performance due to a new classification of our Dörr-McLaren 720S GT3 Evo. Compared to last year’s Oschersleben race, our lap times in testing were about one second slower,” warns Dörr’s GT3 boss Volker Strycek, who, however, wants to wait for qualifying first.

DTM leader Thiim’s Aston Martin classified less favorably

DTM leader Thiim’s Comtoyou-Aston-Martin also weighs a hefty 30 kilograms more than in 2025, although the newcomers had not yet been sorted out then. A 0.02 higher – and thus less favorable – lambda value, as well as lower boost pressure everywhere except for the low rpm range, should negatively affect engine performance. In the high range, up to 0.05 bar is lost.

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Apart from that, Oschersleben’s tight corners are not necessarily tailor-made for the Vantage either. Compared to the last comparable track so far – the Lausitzring – the Aston Martin became five kilograms heavier and has slightly less boost pressure. Thiim will also have to cope with 20 kilograms of success ballast in the “home race” – no track is as close to Denmark – at least in Saturday’s race.

Mercedes-AMG also a co-favorite this year

The losses for the Mercedes-AMG GT3, which was even victorious on Saturday in 2025 thanks to Auer, are less pronounced than for the competition: The weight is identical to last year’s final Oschersleben BoP, although the car became progressively heavier over the course of the weekend.

In addition, there is a 0.5 millimeter larger restrictor, which is intended to compensate for the engine mapping introduced in 2026 – and which is less favorable for engine performance. The 0.02 higher lambda value, however, has a slightly negative effect on performance. “The Motorsport Arena Oschersleben suits us and especially the Mercedes AMG GT3 as a very good all-rounder,” Auer is confident.

Porsche: If it doesn’t work in Oschersleben, where then?

And how are the problem children Porsche and BMW doing? The Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo has received a two-millimeter larger restrictor compared to Oschersleben 2025 and Lausitzring 2026, which now has a diameter of 41.5 millimeters. The fact that the vehicle even lagged behind in top speed with a 43-millimeter restrictor at the Norisring shows that the Evo version generates significantly more downforce and thus also air resistance.

In addition, there are five kilograms more weight than a year ago, when Ayhancan Güven won – and once again proved that Oschersleben is a Porsche track. The car should therefore be absolutely competitive under normal circumstances, especially since top speed plays a subordinate role there.

BMW and the fear track: Race pace 2025 gives hope

The BMW, which has never finished higher than fourth at Schubert’s home race but set top times in last year’s Sunday race thanks to Rene Rast, is as heavy as in 2025. Due to the changed turbocharger, no boost pressure comparison is possible. Compared to the Lausitzring, however, the boost pressure on BMW’s fear track is slightly higher across the entire rpm range – by up to 0.05 bar.

The Lamborghini Temerario GT3 was classified exactly the same in Oschersleben as it was most recently at the Norisring, even though almost all cars received a less favorable BoP this time. This should have a positive effect.

And the Ford Mustang GT3 Evo, which, similar to the BMW, was not created for track characteristics like those in Oschersleben due to its long wheelbase, is 15 kilograms heavier than in 2025, but has slightly less ground clearance. Nevertheless, one should not expect miracles after the Norisring podium finishes.

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