Klaus Weber · DTM Correspondent
Two clashes between the 2027 DTM calendar and his IMSA program with BMW are putting Marco Wittmann's participation in the upcoming DTM season in question.
Marco Wittmann, two-time DTM champion and the series' most senior driver with 228 starts without missing a race, faces a scheduling problem that threatens his 15th DTM season. The issue stems from two conflicts with his IMSA commitments for BMW: the DTM finale at Hockenheim coincides with the Petit Le Mans, and the Zandvoort weekend overlaps with the IMSA race at Road America. Because the Hypercar program takes priority for BMW factory drivers, it remains unclear whether Wittmann will even start in DTM in 2027. According to his comments to Motorsport-Total, no decision has been made yet.
Two Calendar Collisions
The 2027 DTM calendar and Wittmann's IMSA commitments clash on two dates. The Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, the IMSA season finale, conflicts with the final DTM round at Hockenheim from October 8-10. The second collision emerged only in late August when the IMSA moved its Road America race to August 5-8, placing it on the same weekend as the DTM's guest appearance at Zandvoort. When two races fall on the same weekend, a driver can only compete in one.
Speaking to Motorsport-Total, Wittmann said: “For next year there are currently two clashes with DTM dates. That makes it extremely difficult because Hypercar is clearly the priority for BMW drivers.” Missing the DTM would, in his words, be “frankly, crap.” The decision rests with BMW motorsport director Andreas Roos. According to BMW, the company is in talks with the ADAC and IMSA to resolve the situation, while Wittmann himself is asking the ADAC and DTM to shift their dates.
What Missing the Season Would Mean for the Championship
For Wittmann, 2027 is no ordinary season. In 2026, he fought for the title until the finale for the first time since 2021. Because the DTM runs two races at each of its eight weekends in 2027, missing one weekend costs him two championship results, especially critical in Hockenheim's finale.
If both conflicts remain unresolved, two scenarios emerge: Wittmann skips the affected weekends and forfeits four of 16 races, effectively ruling out a title fight. Or he steps away from DTM entirely. Which path BMW chooses remains open.
Unresolved Questions Ahead of Season Planning
Whether the conflicts can be resolved also depends on the ADAC. Motorsport director Thomas Voss said it keeps getting “harder” to build a calendar that satisfies everyone. The situation is being reviewed, and dates “can always change.” Wittmann isn't the only driver affected: Manthey also runs two DTM drivers, Thomas Preining and Ricardo Feller, in IMSA. Jules Gounon faces potential conflicts between WEC rounds at Silverstone and Fuji and DTM dates at Spielberg and the Sachsenring, though it's still unclear how that impacts him.
Until BMW finalizes Wittmann's 2027 schedule, it remains uncertain whether he'll sit out two weekends, exit DTM entirely, or see a calendar adjustment that accommodates both programs. For the series' most senior driver, stepping away after 14 seasons without missing a start would mark a significant break.
