Bruno Spengler (left) won his first Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters Drivers' Championship while Gary Paffett (right) finished second in the championship.

The 2012 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters was the twenty-sixth season of premier German touring car championship and also thirteenth season under the moniker of Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters since the series' resumption in 2000. New regulations applied for the 2012 season (see below). BMW returned to the championship for the first time since 1994.[1] As of 2020, it was also the last time non-European driver to won the DTM title to date.

It was a triumphant return for BMW after returning from 18 years absence, and a dismal year for Mercedes-Benz AMG only rescued by early three official victories courtesy of Gary Paffett in Hockenheimring and Brands Hatch twice and Jamie Green in Norisring only (with an exception of Ralf Schumacher and Jamie Green in Showevent Olympiastadion München relay races respectively because of exhibition event).

Calendar

An eleven-round calendar was announced on 11 November, including the non-championship event in Munich.[2]

Round Circuit Date Maps
1 Germany Hockenheimring 29 April
2 Germany Lausitzring 6 May
3 United Kingdom Brands Hatch 20 May
4 Austria Red Bull Ring 3 June
5 Germany Norisring 1 July
NC Germany Olympiastadion München 14–15 July
6 Germany Nürburgring 19 August
7 Netherlands Circuit Park Zandvoort 26 August
8 Germany Motorsport Arena Oschersleben 16 September
9 Spain Circuit Ricardo Tormo 30 September
10 Germany Hockenheimring 21 October

Teams and drivers

The following manufacturers, teams and drivers competed in the 2012 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. All teams competed with tyres supplied by Hankook.

Make Car Team No. Drivers Rounds
BMW BMW M3 DTM Germany BMW Team RMG[3] 1 Germany Martin Tomczyk[4] All
2 United States Joey Hand[5] All
Germany BMW Team Schnitzer[3] 7 Canada Bruno Spengler[6] All
8 Germany Dirk Werner[7] All
Belgium BMW Team RBM[3] 15 United Kingdom Andy Priaulx[8] All
16 Brazil Augusto Farfus[8] All
Audi Audi A5 DTM Germany Abt Sportsline[9] 3 Sweden Mattias Ekström[9] All
4 Germany Timo Scheider[9] All
Germany Phoenix Racing[9] 9 Germany Mike Rockenfeller[9] All
10 Spain Miguel Molina[9] All
Germany Audi Sport Team Abt[9] 17 Switzerland Rahel Frey[9] All
18 France Adrien Tambay[10] All
Germany Team Rosberg[9] 21 Italy Edoardo Mortara[9] All
22 Portugal Filipe Albuquerque[9] All
Mercedes-Benz DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé Germany Mercedes AMG 5 United Kingdom Jamie Green[11] All
6 Germany Ralf Schumacher[12] All
Germany HWA Team 11 United Kingdom Gary Paffett[13] All
12 Germany Christian Vietoris[14] All
Germany Mücke Motorsport[15] 19 United Kingdom David Coulthard[15] All
20 Canada Robert Wickens[14] All
Germany Persson Motorsport 23 Spain Roberto Merhi[14] All
24 United Kingdom Susie Wolff[16] All

Driver changes

Changed Teams
Entering DTM
Leaving DTM

Rule changes

Sporting

  • The points system for the 2012 season was changed to reflect the system used by the FIA for world championships. The top ten drivers in each race are awarded points on a scale of 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1.[18]
  • Refuelling during the race was banned after 12 years due to safety concerns and also avoid cut costs.

Technical

  • For the first time since 2003 season the DTM reintroduced the two-door coupé-style cars respectively but the two-door coupé-style cars shape were much different than 2000-2003 coupés as the new generational of Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters cars were based on 2-door coupé D-segment compact executive cars. The four-door D-segment mid-size sedan-style cars (introduced since 2004 but mandatory requirement since 2005) was permanently retired after the 2011 season. The engine configuration remained unchanged until 2018 despite the coupé-style cars' reintroduction.
  • After 12 years, the sequential manual gearbox shifters were replaced by newly-mandatory sequential semi-automatic paddle-shifters respectively for all DTM cars to make easier shifting rather than manual shifters.
  • The minimum weight of the cars has been increased from 1,050 kg (2,315 lb) to 1,100 kg (2,425 lb). From 2000-2003, the all DTM cars weight were 1,080 kg (2,381 lb). From 2004-2006, all DTM cars weight were 1,030 kg (2,271 lb). From 2007-2011, the all DTM cars weight were 1,050 kg (2,315 lb).
  • The rear wing of all DTM cars has been changed to the single-element plane wing instead of a dual-element plane wing to create downforce.
  • The fuel tank capacity of all DTM cars were increased to 120 litres (32 US gallons) instead of usual 65–70 litres (17–18 US gallons) due to refuelling ban rules.
  • The seat of all DTM cars was integrated into the carbon fibre monocoque that is connected to a roll cage of high-strength steel due to safety concerns.
  • The year-old aging DTM cars were banned due to previous year cars were 4-door saloon model types.
  • As a result of the transition from the outgoing four-door sedan-style cars to two-door coupé-style cars, the tyre sizes of Hankook Ventus DTM tyres were also altered from 260/660-R18 (10.2/25.9-R18) on fronts and 280/660-R18 (11.0/25.9-R18) on rears to 300/680-R18 (11.8/26.8-R18) on fronts and 320/700-R18 (12.6/27.9-R18) on rears in order to improve more mechanical grip and handling while cornering to suit the driving style.[19]

Results and standings

Results summary

Round Circuit Date Pole position Fastest lap Winning driver Winning team Winning manufacturer
1 Germany Hockenheimring 29 April Sweden Mattias Ekström United Kingdom Jamie Green United Kingdom Gary Paffett HWA Team Mercedes-Benz
2 Germany Lausitzring 6 May Canada Bruno Spengler United Kingdom Jamie Green Canada Bruno Spengler BMW Team Schnitzer BMW
3 United Kingdom Brands Hatch, Kent 20 May United Kingdom Gary Paffett Germany Martin Tomczyk United Kingdom Gary Paffett HWA Team Mercedes-Benz
4 Austria Red Bull Ring, Spielberg 3 June Italy Edoardo Mortara Germany Timo Scheider Italy Edoardo Mortara Team Rosberg Audi
5 Germany Norisring, Nuremberg 1 July United Kingdom Gary Paffett United Kingdom Jamie Green United Kingdom Jamie Green Mercedes AMG Mercedes-Benz
NC Germany Showevent Olympiastadion München 14 July Relay races United Kingdom Jamie Green
Germany Ralf Schumacher
Mercedes AMG Mercedes-Benz
15 July Knockout races Sweden Mattias Ekström Abt Sportsline Audi
6 Germany Nürburgring 19 August Canada Bruno Spengler Canada Bruno Spengler Canada Bruno Spengler BMW Team Schnitzer BMW
7 Netherlands Circuit Park Zandvoort 26 August Germany Timo Scheider United Kingdom Gary Paffett Italy Edoardo Mortara Team Rosberg Audi
8 Germany Motorsport Arena Oschersleben 16 September Canada Bruno Spengler Spain Roberto Merhi Canada Bruno Spengler BMW Team Schnitzer BMW
9 Spain Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia 30 September Brazil Augusto Farfus Canada Bruno Spengler Brazil Augusto Farfus BMW Team RBM BMW
10 Germany Hockenheimring 21 October Brazil Augusto Farfus United Kingdom Gary Paffett Canada Bruno Spengler BMW Team Schnitzer BMW

Championship standings

Scoring system

Points are awarded to the top ten classified finishers as follows:

Position  1st   2nd   3rd   4th   5th   6th   7th   8th   9th   10th 
Points 25 18 15 12 10 8 6 4 2 1

Drivers' championship

Pos. Driver HOC
Germany
LAU
Germany
BRH
United Kingdom
RBR
Austria
NOR
Germany
OLY
Germany
NÜR
Germany
ZAN
Netherlands
OSC
Germany
VAL
Spain
HOC
Germany
Points
1 Canada Bruno Spengler Ret 1 2 Ret 3 5 3 1 6 1 6 1 149
2 United Kingdom Gary Paffett 1 2 1 3 4 3 3 6 7 2 Ret 2 145
3 United Kingdom Jamie Green 2 4 8 5 1 1 2 4 4 3 10 4 121
4 Germany Mike Rockenfeller 5 13 3 7 6 DNQ 5 5 2 6 5 Ret 85
5 Italy Edoardo Mortara 11 8 9 1 Ret DNQ 9 2 1 Ret 16† 6 82
6 Sweden Mattias Ekström 3 5 5 4 Ret 5 1 11 3 8 3 Ret 81
7 Brazil Augusto Farfus 15 3 11 10 Ret 5 5 10 9 5 1 3 69
8 Germany Martin Tomczyk Ret 7 4 2 2 DNQ 5 3 Ret Ret Ret 14 69
9 Germany Dirk Werner 17 19 16 Ret 10 4 17 12 8 4 9 5 29
10 France Adrien Tambay Ret 18 12 Ret 15 2 9 Ret 5 16 2 Ret 28
11 Portugal Filipe Albuquerque 10 9 10 8 11 DNQ 9 8 15† 9 4 11 26
12 Germany Christian Vietoris 4 11 6 Ret 8 3 9 16 Ret 12 12 10 25
13 United Kingdom Andy Priaulx 6 17 Ret Ret 7 DNQ 17 19 13 Ret 8 7 24
14 Germany Timo Scheider Ret 6 Ret 6 16 2 17 9 Ret 10 Ret 12 19
15 United Kingdom David Coulthard 8 12 15 Ret 5 DNQ 5 20 Ret Ret 11 Ret 14
16 Canada Robert Wickens 14 22† 14 13 9 DNQ 9 7 Ret 7 Ret Ret 14
17 Germany Ralf Schumacher 7 10 19 11 Ret 1 17 13 10 13 14 9 10
18 Spain Miguel Molina 9 15 7 Ret 12 5 9 15 Ret 15 Ret Ret 8
19 Switzerland Rahel Frey 16 20 18 15 17 DNQ 9 14 Ret Ret 7 16 6
20 United States Joey Hand 13 14 13 9 14 4 9 18 14 11 15† 8 6
21 Spain Roberto Merhi 18 16 17 12 13 DNQ 17 Ret 11 14 Ret 15 0
22 United Kingdom Susie Wolff 12 21 20† 14 Ret DNQ 17 17 12 Ret 13 13 0
Pos. Driver HOC
Germany
LAU
Germany
BRH
United Kingdom
RBR
Austria
NOR
Germany
OLY
Germany
NÜR
Germany
ZAN
Netherlands
OSC
Germany
VAL
Spain
HOC
Germany
Points
ColourResult
GoldWinner
SilverSecond place
BronzeThird place
GreenPoints finish
BlueNon-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
PurpleRetired (Ret)
RedDid not qualify (DNQ)
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
BlackDisqualified (DSQ)
WhiteDid not start (DNS)
Withdrew (WD)
Race cancelled (C)
Blank Did not practice (DNP)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Excluded (EX)

Bold – Pole
Italics – Fastest Lap

Notes:

  • † — Driver retired, but was classified as they completed 90% of the winner's race distance.
  • ‡ — No points are awarded for the non-championship Munich Olympiastadion event.

Teams' championship

Pos. Team No. HOC
Germany
LAU
Germany
BRH
United Kingdom
RBR
Austria
NOR
Germany
OLY
Germany
NÜR
Germany
ZAN
Netherlands
OSC
Germany
VAL
Spain
HOC
Germany
Points
1 BMW Team Schnitzer 7 Ret 1 2 Ret 3 5 3 1 6 1 6 1 178
8 17 19 16 Ret 10 4 17 12 8 4 9 5
2 HWA Team 11 1 2 1 3 4 3 3 6 7 2 Ret 2 170
12 4 11 6 Ret 8 3 9 16 Ret 12 12 10
3 Mercedes AMG 5 2 4 8 5 1 1 2 4 4 3 10 4 131
6 7 10 19 11 Ret 1 17 13 10 13 14 9
4 Team Rosberg 21 11 8 9 1 Ret DNQ 9 2 1 Ret 16† 6 108
22 10 9 10 8 11 DNQ 9 8 15† 9 4 11
5 Abt Sportsline 3 3 5 5 4 Ret 5 1 11 3 8 3 Ret 100
4 Ret 6 Ret 6 16 2 17 9 Ret 10 Ret Ret
6 BMW Team RBM 15 6 17 Ret Ret 7 DNQ 17 19 13 Ret 8 7 93
16 15 3 11 10 Ret 5 5 10 9 5 1 3
7 Phoenix Racing 9 5 13 3 7 6 DNQ 5 5 2 6 5 Ret 93
10 9 15 7 Ret 12 5 9 15 Ret 15 Ret Ret
8 BMW Team RMG 1 Ret 7 4 2 2 DNQ 5 3 Ret Ret Ret 14 75
2 13 14 13 9 14 4 9 18 14 11 15† 8
9 Audi Sport Team Abt 17 16 20 18 15 17 DNQ 9 14 Ret Ret 7 16 34
18 Ret 18 12 Ret 15 2 9 Ret 5 16 2 Ret
10 Mücke Motorsport 19 8 12 15 Ret 5 DNQ 5 20 Ret Ret 11 Ret 28
20 14 22† 14 13 9 DNQ 9 7 Ret 7 Ret Ret
11 Persson Motorsport 23 18 16 17 12 13 DNQ 17 Ret 11 14 Ret 15 0
24 12 21 20† 14 Ret DNQ 17 17 12 Ret 13 13
Pos. Team No. HOC
Germany
LAU
Germany
BRH
United Kingdom
RBR
Austria
NOR
Germany
OLY
Germany
NÜR
Germany
ZAN
Netherlands
OSC
Germany
VAL
Spain
HOC
Germany
Points
ColourResult
GoldWinner
SilverSecond place
BronzeThird place
GreenPoints finish
BlueNon-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
PurpleRetired (Ret)
RedDid not qualify (DNQ)
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
BlackDisqualified (DSQ)
WhiteDid not start (DNS)
Withdrew (WD)
Race cancelled (C)
Blank Did not practice (DNP)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Excluded (EX)

Bold – Pole
Italics – Fastest Lap

Notes:

  • † — Driver retired, but was classified as they completed 90% of the winner's race distance.
  • ‡ — No points are awarded for the non-championship Munich Olympiastadion event.

Manufacturers' championship

Pos. Manufacturer HOC
Germany
LAU
Germany
BRH
United Kingdom
RBR
Austria
NOR
Germany
OLY
Germany
NÜR
Germany
ZAN
Netherlands
OSC
Germany
VAL
Spain
HOC
Germany
Points
1 BMW 8 46 30 21 40 0 0 41 14 47 39 60 346
2 Audi 28 24 34 55 8 0 0 34 68 15 61 8 335
3 Mercedes-Benz 65 31 37 25 53 0 0 26 19 39 1 33 329
Pos. Manufacturer HOC
Germany
LAU
Germany
BRH
United Kingdom
RBR
Austria
NOR
Germany
OLY
Germany
NÜR
Germany
ZAN
Netherlands
OSC
Germany
VAL
Spain
HOC
Germany
Points

Notes:

  • ‡ — No points are awarded for the non-championship Munich Olympiastadion event.

References

  1. "DTM 2012 – a third force joins the party". Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. ITR e.V. 25 October 2011. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  2. "2012 DTM schedule – the start of a new era". Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. ITR e.V. 11 November 2011. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 O'Leary, Jamie (3 February 2012). "Martin Tomczyk placed with new squad Team RMG as BMW reveals DTM pairings". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  4. "BMW signs Martin Tomczyk as works driver". Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. ITR e.V. 23 November 2011. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  5. "ALMS Champion Joey Hand switches to BMW's DTM project". Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. ITR e.V. 15 December 2011. Archived from the original on 13 June 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  6. "Bruno Spengler to drive for BMW in the DTM from 2012". Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. ITR e.V. 26 October 2011. Archived from the original on 30 November 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  7. "Werner dernière recrue de BMW" [Werner newest member of BMW]. AUTOhebdo (in French). Groupe Hommell. 13 January 2012. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  8. 1 2 "Launch of the BMW M3 DTM Concept Car". Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. ITR e.V. 15 July 2011. Archived from the original on 6 December 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Meissner, Johan (24 February 2012). "Audi reveals 2012 DTM drivers line-up". TouringCarTimes. Mediaempire Stockholm AB. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  10. "Audi gives young talent opportunity in DTM". Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. ITR e.V. 14 March 2012. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  11. Freeman, Glenn (16 March 2012). "Jamie Green retains Mercedes DTM seat for 2012". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  12. "Fifth DTM season for Ralf Schumacher in 2012". Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. ITR e.V. 20 October 2011. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  13. "Paffett extends Mercedes DTM contract". GPUpdate.net. GPUpdate. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  14. 1 2 3 O'Leary, Jamie (2 April 2012). "Robert Wickens and Roberto Merhi join Mercedes for DTM assault". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  15. 1 2 O'Leary, Jamie (29 February 2012). "David Coulthard will race in the DTM for a third straight year with Mercedes". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  16. O'Leary, Jamie (9 March 2012). "Susie Wolff to remain with Persson Mercedes squad in DTM". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  17. Freeman, Glenn (8 March 2012). "Renger van der Zande left without DTM seat for 2012 season". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  18. "Sporting regulation 2012". Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. ITR e.V. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  19. "Hankook unveils preview into the new season". hankooktire.com. Hankook Tires. 5 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2011.

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