Thiim: Aston DTM Success “Last Thing on Bucket List”

Aston Martin factory driver Nicki Thiim is relishing the chance to finally compete in the DTM with the brand as he targets success in the category that is “probably the one and last thing on my bucket list.”

Thiim has spent the past two seasons competing in the series at the wheel of a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 with the SSR Performance and ABT squads, but is now “finally doing it with what I call the family” when he tackles this weekend’s Red Bull Ring season opener at the wheel of a Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo.

The Dane has a strong affinity to the series, with his father Kurt winning the title in 1986 and is now seeking to follow in his footsteps.

“It was the reason why I started motorsport in the first place and now, probably towards the end of my career, to be here it’s a big thing,” said Thiim.

“I’ve been with the Aston Martin family for 10 years now so to finally do probably my dream series, DTM, and do it in an Aston Martin is a childhood dream.”

Thiim scored one victory during his two seasons with Lamborghini machinery but struggled to truly get to grips with the unfamiliar car, describing “sleepless nights” he suffered while trying to unlock pace from the Huracan.

“It was a very specific car to drive,” he added. “We tried everything but especially in qualifying, when you really have to be at one with the car and I really felt this is not home – you really have to spend every weekend in the car like the other guys to be able to pull out those one, two, three tenths.

“If it doesn’t come with instinct, you’re already too slow and that was definitely my problem with the Lambo.”

Now Thiim will be in the far more familiar surroundings of the Vantage, which means he can compete in the DTM “where everyone has the same playground” for the first time as the rest of the grid will also be well integrated with their steeds.

The Vantage appeared in the DTM for the first time during the category’s GT3 era last season, but the deal for Comtoyou to run a pair of Astons for Nicolas Baert and Gilles Magnus came together very late, leaving the squad on the back foot.

Aston consequently finished at the bottom of the manufacturers’ table with Magnus achieving its best race finish of seventh.

Thiim has sought to bolster the team for its second campaign and helped encourage Mario Schuhbauer – who guided Mirko Bortolotti to the title with SSR in 2024 – to come on board.

“We all know in that area where Mario is working as a team organizer and it shows how specific the DTM is, you really need people who have been in the business for so long and you try to pull on every string you can to get the most performance out of it,” Thiim added.

He said Comtoyou’s improved showing towards the end of last season, which included Magnus taking pole for the Hockenheim finale, has given him confidence heading into the new campaign.

“Seeing the development over the season shows the commitment and passion and quality we have in the team,” Thiim explained.

“This year being the first team to announce their commitment to the series shows we’re trying to be a little bit ahead of the game.”

One of the major changes in the DTM for 2026 is the introduction of a new series-specific Pirelli tire that is set to degrade more quickly than the old rubber.

“As a driver, I see that as a big plus because you can hopefully make a bigger difference with experience,” said Thiim. “I guess from the series point of view, it’s just trying to make it even more interesting on track.”

The eight-event season begins in Austria this weekend and the series features entries from eight manufacturers, including the new Lamborghini Temerario GT3, with only Audi among the 2025 roster to no longer have a presence.