The ADAC had already agreed with the manufacturers on a complete DTM test ban: It was the teams that were suffering from the costs that thwarted the plan
At the end of February, the ADAC finalized the test restriction for the 2024 DTM season, which still allows the teams – depending on the number of drivers – five to 15 test days. But why wasn’t a complete test ban imposed, as in other series, in order to reduce costs?
Because – according to reports – the manufacturers represented in the DTM had already agreed with the ADAC at the beginning of the year on a complete test ban on DTM circuits from April 1. The Thursday tests would have been permitted – and therefore the only testing opportunity before the respective race weekends.
Why was the regulation overturned? Teams felt ignored and demanded to be involved in the talks with the ADAC themselves, which led to the issue being reopened
How the teams thwarted the ban plans
At the team managers’ meeting with the ADAC in February, there was resistance to a complete test ban. Some teams argued that they had already booked numerous private test drives and that the ban would incur costs. This argument is seen by some as a pretext. Especially as it would probably have affected teams that test a lot and have better financial resources anyway.
There were also voices among the teams saying that if testing had been banned from April 1 in March, so much money would have been spent on private testing in southern Europe that the costs would have exploded.
There are also doubts about this, as the originally planned ban would only have affected the DTM circuits anyway. Under this regulation, testing would have been allowed at Portimao, Barcelona or Valencia at any time during the season
Compromise that not everyone is happy with
Nevertheless, the ADAC has reconsidered the mode discussed with the manufacturers and found a new regulation that will apply from March 1 and has been extended to all race tracks.
However, tests on a maximum of five different tracks – and five test days per driver – were permitted. A compromise with which teams in particular are less happy, as they would not have had the financial resources for extensive testing anyway. Especially as the originally planned binding rule that only three sets of tires are allowed per day for one vehicle has been softened and is now only available as a recommendation.
However, the ADAC and the responsible commission see the solution as a first step against the rampant private test drives in the DTM. The announcement of all driving activities, which is now mandatory for all teams, is expected to provide data that will be used to introduce a more effective regulation from the end of the 2024 season
