New regulations for DTM, the German Touring Car Championship series, were announced during the series' April test days at Hockenheim. The new regulations include a weight reduction for the BMW M4 DTM.
The BMW M4 DTM will lose 7.5 kilograms when the 2016 season opens on May 6–8 at the Hockenheim circuit. The BMWs will begin the first qualifying session at Hockenheim at 1112.5 kg, while Audi and Mercedes will run at 1120 kg, as they did last season. BMW will also be allowed to add 50 millimeters to the width of the rear wing.
While BMW won the manufacturers’ title in 2015, it was widely acknowledged that the performance of the M4s lagged behind the Audi and the Mercedes DTM cars. The title was driven primarily by victories on two race weekends when the performance weight system left the BMWs much lighter than their competitors’ machines.
The 2015 performance weight system, based on race results, resulted in wide swings from one manufacturer to the next from event to event. It is being replaced in 2016 with a system that assigns performance weights based on qualifying results. It is anticipated that this change will temper the changes in marque-to-marque weight differences that drove race results last season. Also, use of the DRS (drag reduction system) will be more restricted in 2016. Details of both the performance weight and DRS changes have not yet been announced.
BMW motorsport director Jens Marquardt said, “In a year that marks the centenary of the BMW Group and the BMW brand, we obviously have a very special DTM season ahead of us in 2016. With eight proven BMW drivers, four experienced teams and the BMW M4 DTM in its third year, we are out to put on another good show for the fans in Germany and throughout Europe in 2016. The DTM has one main goal: the fans should enjoy exciting, evenly matched races. We – the three manufacturers, the ITR and the DMSB – are all providing for this with the latest decisions. The changes for 2016 underline the unique approach of the DTM, which places the focus solely on the drivers. Each driver will have the opportunity to challenge for race wins – and the best driver will win the title in the end. It is precisely this equal opportunity and the strength of the field in the DTM that will once again make the series so special in 2016.”—Brian S. Morgan
