Photo: DTM Media

DTM eliminates free practice sessions on race days for 2019

By

DTM race weekends will take on a revised structure for the 2019 season, with no free practice sessions being held on Saturdays and Sundays.

The move comes in order to accommodate a busier schedule for this year, with the W Series, Porsche Carrera Cup and Formula European Masters joining the DTM support series line-up.

DTM teams and drivers will instead have two free practice sessions on Friday, with only qualifying and race taking place on Saturday and Sundays.

The only exception to this will be at Brands Hatch, where Friday track action isn’t allowed due to the local noise restrictions. For that round, the free practice, qualifying and race format from recent seasons will be maintained for both days.

Additionally, DTM umbrella organisation ITR has confirmed that all races will start at 13:30 local time, meaning there will be no repeat of the night event that was seen at Misano in 2018.

“Consistent start times are of major importance, not only for the visitors on site but also for the fans that want to follow the race action live on TV or via live stream,” said Achim Kostron, ITR managing director.

The 2019 DTM season will kick off at Hockenheim on May 3-5.