The DTM will move to “Class 1” from 2019

Faced with an uncertain future with the planned departure of Mercedes at the end of 2019, the organizers of the DTM had to react. In planning for several years, the adoption of common regulations between the German Touring Car Championship and the Super GT referred to under the name “Class One” is taking shape.

The DTM will adopt these new regulations next year while the Super GT will adopt them in 2020, with slightly modified versions for endurance races. The “Class 1” was developed with three major areas of development: safety, cost control and a stable level of performance among competitors.

The “Class 1” will offer a carbon fiber monocoque chassis with the same level of safety as that obtained with current cars, but the creation of the cars will see its development cost significantly reduced.

The DTM cars will abandon the V8s for 4l turbo 2-cylinders developing 620hp, i.e. 100hp more than the current units, which will allow drivers to exceed 300km/h. The front part of the car will see its aerodynamics optimize the cooling of the engine and brakes. The front and rear diffusers as well as the rear wing will also be revised to match the elements of the Super GT.

If the rapprochement between the DTM and Super GT has been postponed many times, it seems that this partnership is finally taking shape. The organizers of the two championships plan to organize two joint events in 2019, one in Europe and the other in Asia. Each meeting will consist of two races without a change of driver, but with a mandatory stop to change tires. If the Japanese discipline has not yet adopted the “Class 1” regulations, a Balance of Performance will be put in place.