A return to Austria after an eight-year absence and the addition of a non-championship stadium event in Munich are the main changes in next year's DTM calendar, which was announced today.
The Austrian Grand Prix venue in Spielberg/Zeltweg has been heavily redeveloped in recent years and will be reopened next season under the Red Bull Ring title. The DTM will be one of its first major events, with the touring car series set to visit for its third 2011 round on June 5 next year. The previous iteration of the track hosted the DTM from 2001 to 2003.
The Red Bull Ring replaces Italian track Adria on the DTM schedule, which will conclude in Shanghai for a second straight year.
The other main change for 2011 is the addition of a Race of Champions style knock-out event in Munich's Olympic Stadium on July 17. Although this will not count for points next season, the organizers have not ruled out making it a full championship round in the future.
Provisional 2011 DTM schedule:
May 1 Hockenheim
May 15 Zandvoort
June 5 Red Bull Ring
June 19 Lausitz
July 3 Norisring
July 17 Olympic Stadium (non-championship)
August 7 Nurburgring
September 4 Brands Hatch
September 18 Oschersleben
October 2 Valencia
October 23 Hockenheim
November 6 Shanghai