Rast to Stand Down from DTM

Photo: BMW

Rene Rast has announced that he will stand down from DTM racing, choosing to instead focus on other race programs within BMW M Motorsport next year.

The 38-year-old German, a three-time series champion, announced his ‘temporary retirement’ prior to last weekend’s pair of season-ending races at Hockenheim, where he was in title contention in his No. 33 Schubert Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 EVO.

After finishing seventh in Race 1 on Saturday to keep his hopes alive for a fourth series title, Rast was forced to retire on the opening lap in Sunday’s season finale after his BMW was hit twice by other cars.

Rast, who competes full-time in the FIA World Endurance Championship with BMW M Team WRT’s Hypercar program, made 138 starts in the German touring car/GT3 championship, scoring 31 victories and 26 pole positions although has not ruled out a return to the championship in the future.

“I’m at a loss for words after this bitter end to the season,” he said. “My start in Sunday’s race was fantastic; I was already in second place, and the pace of our car was excellent.

“I think a win was absolutely possible. To be taken out of the title fight in this way in the first lap is incredibly bitter.

“This is not the conclusion I had dreamed of for my DTM career. However, I decided some time ago to at least temporarily end my DTM journey.

“I will not be competing in the DTM in 2026. This decision was not an easy one for me, as this racing series has been like a second home to me.

“I would like to sincerely thank all the teams I have raced with, the mechanics who gave their all in the garage, and the engineers who never stopped striving for perfection. Without your hard work and passion, my successes would not have been possible.

“I am also deeply grateful for the memories, the victories, the challenges, and especially for the fans who have supported me every step of the way.

“Even though I won’t be on the DTM grid next year, I am excited about the opportunities ahead – and who knows what the future will bring?”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John