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Experience the Thrill: Winter Series Returns in 2027 with Triple Championship Action!

Seventh Season Launch: Expanding the Racing Horizon

Gedlich Racing is poised to kick off its seventh season of the Winter Series in January 2027, introducing an expanded format that includes the GT Winter Series, GT4 Winter Series, and the Formula Winter Series. This highly anticipated return highlights the series' continued growth and appeal within the racing community.

Program Evolution: New Focus for the Upcoming Season

The 2027 season will see a strategic shift in the Winter Series program. While the GT Winter Series, GT4 Winter Series, and Formula Winter Series are confirmed to return, the Prototype Winter Series has been discontinued. This change follows the conclusion of the ADAC and Creventic-backed Prototype Cup Germany, signaling a refined focus for Gedlich Racing's offerings.

A Niche Transformed: The Winter Series' Enduring Appeal

Since its inception in 2021 by former DTC champion Markus Gedlich, the Winter Series has successfully carved out a unique and essential niche in motorsport. Its consistent evolution has cemented its place as a staple on the international racing circuit, attracting a diverse range of competitors and fans alike.

Iberian Peninsula: A Season of Speed and Strategy

The 2027 Winter Series calendar will once again feature six exhilarating race weekends spread across the picturesque Iberian Peninsula. This sun-drenched region provides the perfect backdrop for intense competition and strategic racing, drawing teams and drivers to its challenging circuits.

Opening Rounds: Kicking Off in Portugal

The season will ignite in mid-January on the Algarve coast at Portimao, offering a thrilling start to the championship. This will be swiftly followed by another exciting race weekend at Estoril, near Lisbon, just one week later, setting an energetic pace for the early stages of the season.

Season Pinnacle: The Portimao Endurance Challenge

A major highlight for the third consecutive year will be the six-hour endurance race at Portimao in early February. While this gruelling event does not contribute to the championship standings, it serves as a prestigious and demanding centerpiece of the Winter Series season, testing the limits of endurance and teamwork.

Spanish Circuits: Continuing the Championship Battle

Following the Portuguese rounds, the series will cross into Spain, with races scheduled at the historic Jerez de la Frontera, a former Formula 1 venue making its return to the Winter Series calendar since 2024. The tour continues to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a circuit with a rich 35-year history on the Formula 1 schedule, ensuring high-octane racing.

Grand Finale: Crowning Champions in Valencia

After three action-packed race weekends in February, the season will culminate at Valencia's Circuit Ricardo Tormo from March 4-7. Here, the champions across all three series will be crowned, marking the triumphant conclusion of another unforgettable Winter Series season.

GT Winter Series: The Pinnacle of GT Racing

The GT Winter Series will once again feature GT3 as its premier class, welcoming a variety of one-make cup cars from renowned manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini. Gedlich Racing is also committed to integrating more unique machinery that aligns with the series' core concept, fostering diverse and competitive grids.

GT4 and Formula Winter Series: Nurturing Talent

The GT4 Winter Series is dedicated to GT4 class cars, providing a competitive platform for these popular racing machines. Simultaneously, the Formula Winter Series offers a crucial proving ground for young drivers, allowing them to hone their skills in Formula 4 machinery as they prepare for the 2027 season and beyond. Gedlich Racing also plans to launch its own German Formula 4 series in summer 2027, reviving the national F4 championship absent since 2022.

Fair Play and Community: The Spirit of Gedlich Racing

Gedlich Racing emphasizes a community-focused paddock atmosphere alongside professionally organized racing. The GT championships are designed to accommodate both gentleman drivers and professionals, with regulations like mandatory pitstop times ensuring a level playing field. This approach underscores the series' commitment to fair competition and camaraderie, building on its origins as track-day events offering extensive testing opportunities before race weekends.

The Unseen Hurdles: Unveiling DTM's Stalled Expansion Ambitions

Initial Hopes for Calendar Expansion

Four months prior, Thomas Voss, Motorsport Director at ADAC, had shared optimistic projections with DTM enthusiasts, hinting at the addition of a ninth international circuit for the 2027 season. This suggested a strategic move to broaden the series' global footprint and attract new audiences.

The Challenge of Spectator Targets

Voss disclosed that discussions with various international circuits last year initially met with enthusiasm. However, a critical requirement for a minimum of 10,000 on-site spectators often led to a quiet response from potential hosts. This revealed a widespread reluctance among track organizers to commit to such ambitious attendance figures, indicating a cautious approach to large-scale events.

Brno: The Sole Confident Contender

Among all the venues contacted, only Brno, a circuit in the Czech Republic, expressed confidence in drawing over 10,000 spectators. This track, historically significant for two-wheel racing and previously a DTM host, was seen as the most promising candidate due to its proximity to Germany and local familiarity with the DTM brand. Furthermore, strong ties with the Czech motorsport federation, cultivated through joint ventures like the Central European Rally, bolstered Brno's prospects.

Internal Disputes Thwart Expansion Plans

Despite Brno's initial confidence and favorable conditions, the prospect of a DTM event there ultimately fell through. Voss attributed this setback to internal disagreements within the Czech Republic's motorsport federations, issues that the DTM management preferred not to get involved with. This unfortunate turn of events effectively eliminated the only viable option for calendar expansion.

Economic Headwinds in the Automotive Sector

Adding to the difficulties, the current economic climate, particularly the crisis affecting the German automotive industry, played a significant role in the decision to halt expansion plans. Voss highlighted how news of mass layoffs and plant closures at major manufacturers like Volkswagen, whose brands Porsche and Lamborghini compete in DTM, made it an inopportune time to push for increased racing commitments. Motorsport, he noted, must be responsive to these broader industrial realities.

Team Capacity and Financial Constraints

Furthermore, DTM teams themselves voiced concerns about the financial and logistical strain of expanding the calendar to a ninth weekend. Voss assured that he would not impose any decisions that went against the teams' capabilities or wishes, prioritizing their well-being and operational viability. Despite the setback in expansion, Voss remains content with the current eight-track calendar, noting continued growth in spectator numbers and strong fan engagement, particularly within Germany. He also acknowledged the desire of partners to internationalize the DTM further but emphasized a patient approach, waiting for the right moment to pursue such ambitions.