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Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) Countdown
Follow the 2026 DTM season, including Nicki Thiim, Comtoyou Racing and Aston Martin’s Vantage GT3 campaign. Fuel the Passion is an independent media platform.
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DTM
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, better known as DTM, is one of Europe’s leading GT sprint championships, combining FIA GT3 machinery with hour-long double-header races and one driver allocated to each car. The 2026 season features 16 races across eight weekends in Austria, the Netherlands and Germany. Aston Martin is represented by Comtoyou Racing’s two Vantage GT3s, driven by Nicki Thiim and Nicolas Baert.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Season so far
Comtoyou Racing began Aston Martin’s second DTM season with encouraging points finishes at the Red Bull Ring, where Nicki Thiim placed tenth and fifth. Zandvoort proved more difficult, producing ninth and 18th-place finishes as the Vantage GT3 struggled to match the leading pace.
The campaign moved forward decisively at the Lausitzring. Thiim secured Aston Martin’s first DTM pole position and recovered from a difficult wet opening phase to finish fourth in Race 1, before claiming second place in Race 2, his first podium of the season.
The breakthrough then arrived at the Norisring. Thiim completed a perfect weekend with two pole positions and two victories, delivering Aston Martin’s first DTM wins and moving nine points clear at the top of the Drivers’ Championship after eight of the season’s 16 races. Nicolas Baert continues to develop in the sister Comtoyou Racing Vantage, while Aston Martin enters the second half of the season as a genuine championship contender.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Latest Results
Aston Martin Double Victory at the Norisring
Nicki Thiim delivered a perfect Norisring weekend for Comtoyou Racing and Aston Martin, securing pole position and victory in both races. Saturday brought Aston Martin its first DTM race win, before Thiim repeated the achievement in changing conditions on Sunday and moved into the lead of the Drivers’ Championship. Nicolas Baert finished 15th in both races in the sister Vantage GT3.
| Pos | Driver | Car / Team | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nicki Thiim |
#7 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Comtoyou Racing |
Winner | Victory from pole; Aston Martin’s first DTM race win |
| 2 | Maro Engel |
#80 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol |
+0.587 | Second place |
| 3 | Arjun Maini |
#36 Ford Mustang GT3 HRT Ford Performance |
+3.182 | Completed the podium |
| 4 | Lucas Auer |
#22 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf |
+3.826 | Fourth place |
| 5 | Thierry Vermeulen |
#69 Ferrari 296 GT3 Emil Frey Racing |
+11.346 | Top-five finish |
| 15 | Nicolas Baert |
#8 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Comtoyou Racing |
+20.715 | Reached the finish and scored one championship point |
| Pos | Driver | Car / Team | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nicki Thiim |
#7 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Comtoyou Racing |
Winner | Second victory from pole; took the championship lead |
| 2 | Finn Wiebelhaus |
#64 Ford Mustang GT3 HRT Ford Performance |
+0.887 | Challenged Thiim for the lead |
| 3 | Lucas Auer |
#22 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf |
+5.753 | Completed the podium |
| 4 | Arjun Maini |
#36 Ford Mustang GT3 HRT Ford Performance |
+8.417 | Second Ford inside the top four |
| 5 | Jules Gounon |
#48 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter |
+9.178 | Top-five finish |
| 15 | Nicolas Baert |
#8 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Comtoyou Racing |
+36.129 | Finished on the lead lap and scored one point |
From an Aston Martin perspective, the Norisring represented a landmark weekend. Thiim converted two pole positions into the marque’s first and second DTM victories, collecting the maximum available 56 points and taking control of the Drivers’ Championship. Baert brought the second Comtoyou Vantage home in both races and added two championship points.
Championship Standings
Nicki Thiim leads the DTM Drivers’ Championship at the halfway point of the season. His perfect Norisring weekend lifted him to 117 points, giving the Aston Martin Racing works driver a nine-point advantage over Maro Engel. Nicolas Baert is 21st with two points after scoring in both Norisring races.
| Pos | Driver | Team | Pts | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nicki Thiim | Comtoyou Racing | 117 | — |
| 2 | Maro Engel | Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol | 108 | −9 |
| 3 | Lucas Auer | Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf | 106 | −11 |
| 4 | Matteo Cairoli | Emil Frey Racing | 83 | −34 |
| 5 | Marco Wittmann | Schubert Motorsport | 77 | −40 |
| 21 | Nicolas Baert | Comtoyou Racing | 2 | −115 |
Thiim’s total comprises 107 race points and ten qualifying points, reflecting three pole positions across the Lausitzring and Norisring weekends. The championship now moves into its second half, beginning with Races 9 and 10 at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Round 04 - Norisring, comprising Races 7 and 8
Norisring: Thiim Delivers Historic Aston Martin Double
Nicki Thiim and Comtoyou Racing produced a landmark weekend for Aston Martin at the Norisring, taking both pole positions and winning both races at the demanding Nuremberg street circuit. The clean sweep delivered Aston Martin’s first two DTM victories and carried Thiim into the lead of the Drivers’ Championship at the halfway point of the season.
Race 1: Aston Martin’s First DTM Victory
Thiim began Saturday’s race from pole position in the #7 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and successfully resisted Maro Engel’s challenge into the opening corner. From there, the Dane controlled the race, gradually establishing an advantage while Engel came under pressure from Arjun Maini’s Ford Mustang GT3.
The first Safety Car appeared after Tom Kalender struck the barriers, delaying the mandatory pit-stop window. Engel was the first of the leaders to stop, while Thiim remained on track before Comtoyou Racing completed a clean and well-timed tyre change. Thiim returned ahead of the Mercedes-AMG and retained the effective race lead despite initially running on cold tyres.
The race was later stopped for almost an hour following a major accident involving Maximilian Paul’s Lamborghini and Kelvin van der Linde’s BMW at the Grundig hairpin. Both drivers were responsive and received medical attention, while repairs were carried out to the circuit barriers.
When racing resumed, Thiim managed the final restart and controlled the remaining laps. Engel closed the gap but was unable to mount a decisive attack, leaving Thiim to cross the line 0.587 seconds ahead. Maini completed the podium in third.
The victory was Thiim’s second in DTM competition, following his Norisring success in 2024, but it represented Aston Martin’s first win in the championship. Nicolas Baert brought the sister #8 Comtoyou Racing Vantage home in 15th position.
Race 2: Thiim Completes the Sweep
Thiim repeated his qualifying success on Sunday to place the Aston Martin on pole once again. He converted that advantage into the early lead, ahead of the two HRT Ford Mustangs driven by Finn Wiebelhaus and Maini.
The opening stages were disrupted by contact further down the field and an early Safety Car. Rain then began to fall, making the already unforgiving street circuit increasingly difficult. A collision involving Marco Mapelli and Matteo Cairoli brought out another Safety Car and ultimately a red flag.
During the stoppage, the field changed onto wet-weather tyres. However, the circuit soon began to dry, creating another strategic challenge as drivers prepared to return to slicks. Wiebelhaus remained close to Thiim and repeatedly threatened the Aston Martin, particularly as the Ford brought its slick tyres up to temperature more quickly.
Thiim defended calmly before Comtoyou Racing again executed the two mandatory pit-stop phases effectively. Wiebelhaus attempted to gain an advantage by stopping earlier, but the Aston Martin remained ahead once the strategies had played out.
The Ford closed during the final laps, but Thiim absorbed the pressure and crossed the line 0.887 seconds clear to complete an exceptional four-from-four weekend: two poles and two victories. Wiebelhaus finished second, with Lucas Auer taking third for Mercedes-AMG.
Baert again finished 15th in the second Vantage, adding another championship point to Comtoyou Racing’s weekend.
A Landmark Weekend for Aston Martin
The Norisring transformed the shape of Aston Martin’s DTM campaign. Having already demonstrated front-running potential at the Lausitzring, Thiim and Comtoyou Racing converted that pace into a perfect result on one of the championship’s most demanding circuits.
Aston Martin left Nuremberg with its first and second DTM victories, while Thiim collected the maximum available 56 points and moved nine points clear at the head of the Drivers’ Championship after eight of the season’s 16 races.
For Thiim, whose father Kurt won the DTM title in 1986, the achievement also carried considerable personal significance. For Aston Martin and Comtoyou Racing, it confirmed that the Vantage GT3 is no longer simply competing in DTM, it’s become a genuine championship contender.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Round 04 Result Snapshot
Norisring • Nuremberg, Germany • Races 7 & 8
DOUBLE VICTORY
| Session | Nicki Thiim — #7 | Nicolas Baert — #8 | Aston Martin Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying 1 Saturday 4 July | 1st Pole position | Comtoyou Racing | Aston Martin starts Race 1 from pole |
| Race 1 Saturday 4 July | 1st Race winner | 15th Finished | Aston Martin’s first DTM victory |
| Qualifying 2 Sunday 5 July | 1st Pole position | Comtoyou Racing | Second consecutive Aston Martin pole |
| Race 2 Sunday 5 July | 1st Race winner | 15th Finished | Second victory completes a perfect weekend |
| Weekend Record | Two poles • Two victories | Aston Martin wins both Norisring races | |
| Championship Impact | Thiim: 1st in Drivers’ Championship | Nine-point lead after eight of 16 races | |
Round 03 - comprising Races 5 and 6
Lausitzring: Thiim Converts Aston Martin Pace into a Podium
The third round of the 2026 DTM season marked a significant step forward for Aston Martin and Comtoyou Racing. Nicki Thiim secured pole position for Saturday’s race, recovered to finish fourth after a strategically unpredictable contest and then claimed second place on Sunday, Aston Martin’s first podium of the season.
Race 1: Pole Position, Changing Weather and Fourth Place
Thiim placed the #7 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 on pole for Saturday’s race, but a heavy shower shortly before the start created an immediate tyre dilemma. Comtoyou Racing elected to begin on slick tyres, while several leading rivals chose wet-weather rubber.
The gamble initially worked against Thiim. With the circuit still extremely slippery, he fell from first to 13th as the wet-tyre runners moved ahead. However, a Safety Car allowed the track to continue drying and, once racing resumed, the balance changed rapidly in favour of the slick-shod Aston Martin.
Thiim began working his way back through the field and eventually reclaimed the lead before the mandatory pit-stop window. His recovery suggested that victory was possible, but the timing of a subsequent Full Course Yellow transformed the race.
Marco Mapelli, Ben Dörr and Ricardo Feller had entered the pits immediately before the neutralisation began and gained a substantial advantage over Thiim, who had already completed his stop under normal racing conditions. Thiim therefore had to settle for fourth despite demonstrating front-running pace.
Mapelli crossed the line first but later received a 15-second penalty for speeding under Full Course Yellow conditions. The amended classification promoted Dörr to his first DTM victory, ahead of Mapelli and Feller. Nicolas Baert finished 16th in the sister Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin.
Race 2: Thiim Pushes Cairoli to the Flag
Sunday’s race took place in dry conditions, with Thiim starting third behind Arjun Maini’s Ford Mustang and Matteo Cairoli’s Ferrari. An early Safety Car was required after debris was scattered across the circuit, but Maini retained the lead when racing resumed.
Cairoli gained the advantage during the first mandatory pit-stop phase by stopping one lap before Maini and using the undercut to move ahead. Thiim extended his opening stint and returned to the circuit in third position, remaining firmly involved in the battle at the front.
Comtoyou Racing again kept Thiim on track longer during the second pit-stop window. The strategy allowed him to emerge ahead of Maini, although he initially had to defend while bringing his fresh tyres up to temperature.
Once the tyres were working effectively, Thiim began closing rapidly on Cairoli. The Ferrari’s grip faded during the final laps, bringing the Aston Martin to within striking distance, but Cairoli defended successfully and crossed the line just 0.413 seconds ahead.
Thiim’s second place delivered Aston Martin’s first DTM podium of the season and confirmed that the Vantage had developed into a genuine front-running package. Baert completed the race in 17th position in the second Aston Martin.
Aston Martin Takes a Major Step Forward
The Lausitzring weekend did not produce the victory that Thiim’s speed suggested was possible, but it represented a decisive progression for Aston Martin. Pole position, fourth place and a runner-up finish demonstrated that the Vantage GT3 could challenge at the front in both mixed and dry conditions.
Thiim left the circuit with considerable championship momentum, while Comtoyou Racing had established the performance foundation that would lead to Aston Martin’s historic double victory at the Norisring two weeks later.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Round 03 Result Snapshot
DEKRA Lausitzring • Germany • Races 5 & 6
FIRST PODIUM
| Session | Nicki Thiim — #7 | Nicolas Baert — #8 | Aston Martin Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying 1 Saturday 20 June | 1st Pole position • 1:19.463 | 9th Inside the top ten | Aston Martin’s first DTM pole position |
| Race 1 Saturday 20 June | 4th Recovered after difficult opening laps | 16th Reached the finish | Front-running pace despite changing conditions |
| Qualifying 2 Sunday 21 June | 3rd Second-row start • one qualifying point | 21st Rear of the grid | Thiim remains among the leading qualifiers |
| Race 2 Sunday 21 June | 2nd Finished 0.413 seconds behind the winner | 17th Finished on the lead lap | Aston Martin’s first DTM podium of 2026 |
| Weekend Record | One pole • Fourth place • Second place | Aston Martin establishes genuine front-running pace | |
| Championship Impact | Thiim: 3rd in Drivers’ Championship 61 points after six races | The title challenge gathers momentum before the Norisring | |
Round 01 & 02 reviews coming soon
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.