DTM Confirms Date Clash with 24H Le Mans

Loïc Duval and René Rast could be forced to miss next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, as a result of a clash between the DTM series and twice-around-the-clock French endurance classic next year.

Both drivers were confirmed by the German manufacturer to take part in the DTM series next season, following the end of the Audi’s LMP1 program.

While having initially been set to take place at the end of August, the Hungaroring DTM round has been placed on the June 16-18 weekend instead.

It marks the first time since the resurrection of the German series in 2000 that there is a clash between DTM and Le Mans.

This year’s calendar announcement comes seven weeks after Audi announced its withdrawal from the FIA World Endurance Championship. Audi’s involvment at Le Mans and in the WEC is understood to have been a major influence on not having a conflicting round that weekend.

There are two aditional clashes for 2017, with the DTM racing at Hockenheim in early May and at the end of October. The WEC will race at Spa and Fuji, respectively, on those weekends.

2017 DTM Schedule:

May 5-7 – Hockenheimring
May 19-21 – Lausitzring
June 16-18 – Hungaroring
June 30-July 2 – Norisring
July 21-23 – Moscow
Aug. 18-20 – Zandvoort
Sept. 8-10 – Nürburgring
Sept. 22-24 – Red Bull Ring
Oct. 13-15 – Hockenheimring