We’re only a day ahead of the 2022 season opener at Portimao, Portugal. This year, we have a record field of drivers of 29 drivers. We look ahead and explain some of the changes made after the 2021 season finale.
First of all, let’s have a look at the field of drivers. A record season as they say, with 29 confirmed drivers, most since the series’ comeback in 2000. We also have six brands fighting each other this year, another record. Four from Germany – Audi, Mercedes, BMW and Porsche. As well as Italian Lamborghini and Ferrari. All of this resulting in a lot of excitement ahead of this weekend’s season opener at the Portugese track Portimao.
Starting with the 2021 champion Maximilian Gotz. The German stayed at Mercedes-AMG. However, he changed teams from HRT to Winward. Of course, Gotz will try to defend his title. Teaming up with him are Lucas Auer and David Schumacher. The latter is the son of ex-Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher.
Another big name making his debut this weekend, is nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb. He replaces Nick Cassidy in the Ferrari AF Corse team, Cassidy being unavailable due to the clash with Formula E. “DTM is a very high-classed racing formula, the level of the drivers is really strong”, Loeb says. Teaming up with him is Felipe Fraga, known from Brazilian Stock Car racing.
Racing in a Lamborghini this year is Nicki Thiim, son of the 1986 DTM champion Kurt Thiim. The Dane brings experience from GT cars, so one to look out for. His teammate for this year is Esmee Hawkey, who returns after making her debut last year. Speaking of Lamborghini, another GT3 star makes his DTM debut. Italian Mirko Bortolotti, competing for the Grasser Racing Team. Bortolotti made a guest appearance in 2021, with an impressive result.
Laurens Vanthoor, known from his big experience and results in other GT3 series, will make his debut in the SSR Performance Porsche. Lining up alongside him is Dennis Olsen. Racing for the other Porsche team, KUS Team Bernhard, is the young Thomas Preining.
Image Credit: DTM Facebook Page
Obviously, we can’t forget one of the biggest names returning to the DTM this year. Rene Rast is back, this time with Team Abt Sportsline, lining up alongside Kelvin van der Linde and rookie Ricardo Feller. Both are extremely experienced in GT3 cars. Rast won the ADAC GT Masters title together with van der Linde back in 2014, so there’s no doubt the two will push each other. Other Audi drivers are Nico Mueller, Dev Gore and rookie Marius Zug, who impressed during the pre season tests.
Meanwhile, Maro Engel returns to Mercedes team GruppeM Racing. Philipp Eng is also back with BMW, alongside Sheldon van der Linde for Schubert Motorsport. 2016 champion Marco Wittmann will compete for Walkenhorst Motorsport together with Esteban Muth, who impressed during the 2021 season.
Now, moving on to some key changes to the regulations. Obviously, the way last season ended wasn’t what everyone wanted. Changes to the regulations were made after all the experiences from the previous season. Particularly relating to the pit stop procedures, the full course yellow procedure, the number of tyres per weekend and things and decisions made by race control.
The mandatory pitstop, or performance pitstop, is one of the most important moments in a DTM race. A new rule this year is that a maximum of two mechanics per side of the car first have to change the rear axle tyres before they can move towards the front. This makes the pitstops safer and fairer for each team. Also, the time window in which the stop can be completed has been reduced, it can only be served between the tenth and 40th minute of the race. Another new feature which wasn’t allowed in previous years, during a Safety Car of Full Course Yellow it is now allowed to serve your mandatory stop. Only one car per team can come in per lap.
At the start of the race, as well as the restart following a safety car or full course yellow, only the race director is in control. That task is for American Scott Elkins. His job is even more important, also with handing out penalties. A new rule is that a driver will be dropped five positions on the grid after three penalties, ten positions after five penalties and even can be suspended for the next race weekend with a sixth penalty.
Team orders have been officially banned in 2022. This to prevent influence on the race action. Drivers have to achieve anything themselves, without the help of their teams. To spice things up, an additional point will be awarded for the fastest lap in the race. Another important change for the drivers is about the success ballast, also known as the Balance of Performance (BoP), a much hated aspect in GT3 racing. Winner and second-placed have to add 25 and 15 kg, third-placed only 5 kilograms.
This is most there is to say ahead of the season opener. The new season will get underway with two practice sessions on Friday. Followed by a qualifying and race both on Saturday and Sunday.
