How F1 ensured the Norisring classic won’t be held on the traditional date in 2023, why the calendar is delayed and how Vila Real could surprise
Originally, it had been planned that the new DTM calendar for the 2023 season would be published in September – the Spielberg weekend had been targeted by the DTM umbrella organisation ITR. But then Formula 1 triggered a chain reaction when the race in Spa-Francorchamps was scheduled on the traditional date of the 24-hour race in the Ardennes at the end of July, of all things.
As a result, the endurance classic was brought forward by four weeks to 1 and 2 July, which meant that it clashed with the traditional Norisring date of the DTM. Since many DTM drivers are also competing in the 24-hour race in Spa, the DTM now has to react as well and postpone the city race in Nuremberg, of all places.
“Calendar planning is one of those topics where everyone is really always putting insane pressure on,” the DTM boss alludes to the fact that many GT3 teams would also like to plan for 2023 already. But he doesn’t understand “why you have to be the first. Because that actually only means that you change it six times,” he is now pleased that the calendar has not yet been published.
DTM calendar 2023 at the Hockenheim finale?
When will it be now? “I don’t think we’d do well to shoot out a calendar quickly now,” says Berger. That it will be presented at the Hockenheim finale next weekend is “not the plan, but it’s not out of the question either.”
There are currently “two or three issues that we really have to take into account”, he points out, referring to potential overlaps with other racing series and classics that could mean that strong works drivers have to miss out on the DTM.
Norisring probably one week after traditional date
What will happen to the Norisring now? According to information from ‘Motorsport-Total.com’, the Norisring organiser MCN (Motorsport-Club Nürnberg) has proposed two alternative dates – the weekend of 23-25 June and the weekend of 7-9 July.
The dates have not yet been approved by the City of Nuremberg, which means that it could happen that the event is initially marked with an asterisk when the calendar is announced. However, this should be a formality, which means that it can be assumed that the event will take place.
The more likely date is that one week after the traditional date, because according to the current draft calendar for 2023, the ITR is also planning a DTM weekend from 16 to 18 June. Choosing the later Norisring date could prevent a back-to-back weekend.
Will Vila Real cause a surprise?
What else does it look like in terms of the calendar? Apart from the expected five German weekends and two events in Austria, it recently looked as if only one weekend would take place in non-German-speaking countries.
While Berger brought Italy back into the discussion, we have heard from different sources that Vila Real in Portugal is also in the running. After the DTM already raced in the westernmost EU country in Portimao this year, but hardly attracted any spectators, the tradition-steeped city race in the north of the country could solve this problem.
The motorsport-loving city of 52,000 inhabitants east of Porto has been hosting car races since the 1930s. Since 2014, the WTCC/WTCR has made a guest appearance on the 4.7-kilometre street circuit, at times providing an impressive backdrop of more than 200,000 spectators.
Team boss Grasser on Vila Real: “That would be a mega event “
Nevertheless, it looks like the WTCR won’t be returning to Vila Real in 2023, and the team has been dreaming of GT3 races for years, so it’s flirting with the DTM. The idea is to bring the traditional series to the hilly, high-speed street circuit, which impresses with its challenging layout, but which has also repeatedly caused violent crashes.
Team boss Gottfried Grasser would welcome a street race in Vila Real. “If they can pull it off, it would be a mega event,” said the team boss of the eponymous Lamborghini racing team.
“I think it would fit in well with the DTM. It’s incredible what goes on at this race and how many people are moved there. Plus, it’s definitely a track where a good driver stands out. “
