A fan’s perspective on DTM’s season opener at the Red Bull Ring

A weekend at the Red Bull Ring through the eyes of the fans: Dominik Wieser shares his experience from the DTM season opener 2026, where close racing, open access, and a genuine atmosphere showed what makes DTM stand out today.

The 2026 DTM season opener at the Red Bull Ring delivered exactly what motorsport fans are craving: pure racing, accessibility, and a great atmosphere. The weekend offered a tightly packed schedule with little room left to breathe — but that’s exactly what we petrolheads love.

One of the most striking aspects of the event was its affordability. Of course, you always tend to compare it to Formula One, but in F1 you don’t just pay to see the cars going round — you pay to be part of an event that’s currently growing bigger every single year. However, the DTM weekend felt refreshingly accessible, with weekend tickets starting from €34.50. This relatively low barrier to entry clearly contributed to a strong turnout: over 51,000 spectators attended across the weekend — an increase of nearly 10,000 compared to 2025 and almost breaking the attendance record of 2016.

While good weather and the factor of a season opener likely played a role, the growing popularity of GT racing in general cannot be ignored.

A growing crowd

Despite this upward trend, the crowd still feels totally different from that of Formula One. The DTM attracts what many would call “true racing fans” — people deeply invested in the sport itself, who aren’t just there for the event. The atmosphere is less about spectacle and more about appreciation for the cars, the drivers, and everything happening on track. After having a few conversations with fans, my impression of why people were attending the DTM season opener was confirmed: many no longer see the value in going to F1 and are therefore searching for alternatives.

Non-stop action from morning to evening

What was happening on track was certainly a treat for everyone who turned up. Alongside DTM, the weekend featured a stacked lineup including the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, Formula Regional European Championship (FREC), ADAC GT Masters, and ADAC GT4 Germany. The result was non-stop racing action from morning until late afternoon. It was also great to see many fans arriving early and leaving late to catch what was happening beyond the main event.

Up close with the sport

Equally impressive was the level of accessibility. The DTM maintains an open and welcoming approach. Fans have access to the paddock at all times, creating a sense of closeness to the world of motorsport, as if you were a part of it. The pit walk sessions, held once on Saturday and once on Sunday, were the highlight for most. Here, fans had the chance to see and meet drivers, team members, and have a closer look to the cars. However, the pit walks this year were incredibly crowded and attracted huge attention, with some fans gathering at the gates almost two hours before they opened. If you wanted a closer look at all 21 garages, you had to attend the pit walk on both days, as time constraints and crowd density made it impossible in a single session.

The most memorable aspect, however, was the interaction with drivers. They were always friendly and generous with their time, and I did not see a single one who seemed stressed or unwilling to engage with fans. Even brief conversations and personal insights were possible. It’s this human element that elevates the experience and creates memories — sometimes for a lifetime. Another cool addition to all of the above was, that some teams were handing out small gifts, like signed posters or autograph cards in the paddock.

Off track, the event also delivered. There were plenty of food options, ranging from classic burgers and hot dogs to Austrian dishes like Schnitzel and Kaiserschmarren. The variety ensured that every visitor could find something to enjoy.

A weekend that shows what racing can be

All things considered, the DTM season opener at the Red Bull Ring was definitely a success. It combined great wheel-to-wheel action, fan-friendly pricing, and exceptional accessibility into one cohesive experience. As GT racing continues to gain momentum, weekends like this show exactly why: it’s motorsport at its most engaging, authentic, and enjoyable (and not just because of Max Verstappen😉).