2003 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters

Changes for 2003

• The races were increased in length to a total of one hour per race, as compared to the 40 minutes each race had lasted in 2002.
• The race at Zolder, Belgium, was replaced by Adria in Italy.
• The DTM did not return to Sachsenring. Instead, Nürburgring hosted two events.
• The qualifying for Round 7 at Nürburgring was held at nighttime.

Teams and drivers

The following manufacturers, teams and drivers competed in the 2003 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. All teams competed with tyres supplied by Dunlop.

Team changes

Abt Sportsline expanded from five to six cars with two cars run under the Abt Sportsline Junior Team banner, created to promote young drivers. Danish outfit First Choice Racing helped support the team during the 2003 season.

Persson Motorsport expanded to three cars.

Manthey Racing withdrew from the DTM after being part of the Mercedes squad since 2001.

Driver changes

Uwe Alzen had planned to continue with HWA Team in 2003 but decided to withdraw just days before the opening round of the season. In response, Mercedes promoted Christijan Albers from Team Rosberg to HWA Team, while Patrick Huisman took Albers vacant seat at Team Rosberg after driving for Manthey Racing.

Bernd Mayländer switched from Manthey Racing to Persson Motorsport.

Three time Japan Grand Touring car Championship winner Katsutomo Kaneishi joined the DTM with Persson Motorsport.

Martin Tomczyk moved to the Abt Sportsline Junior Team alongside debutant Peter Terting who had won the Volkswagen Lupo Cup in 2002.

Opel would shuffle around their drivers for 2003 with Manuel Reuter and Alain Menu moving to Team Holzer while Joachim Winkelhock went to Euroteam and Timo Scheider moved to Team Phoenix. Peter Dumbreck moved from Mercedes to Opel Team Phoenix while Jeroen Bleekemolen made his DTM debut with Opel Euroteam after finishing second in the Dutch Touring Car Championship.

Michael Bartels left the DTM to join the V8Star Series.

Mid season changes

Reigning German Formula Three Champion Gary Paffett replaced Patrick Huisman from the third round onwards.

Race calendar and winners

Championship standings

Scoring system

Points are awarded to the top 8 classified finishers.

Drivers' championship

Bold – Pole

Italics – Fastest Lap |}

• † — Driver retired, but was classified as they completed 90% of the winner's race distance.

Teams' championship

Manufacturers' championship

References

References

1. "Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters 2003 Entry List". Motorsport Stats.
2. "DTM (German Touringcar Masters) - 2003: Entrylist". Speedsport Magazine.
3. "Audi in the DTM - The challenger will be chased".
4. "Audi supports junior team in the DTM".
5. "Abt and First Choice form partnership".
6. "Alzen quits HWA Mercedes".
7. "Mercedes confirm Kaneishi for Persson".
8. "Opel finalises 2003 line-up".
9. "Paffett replaces Huisman at Mercedes".
10. "Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters Results 2003". Motorsport Stats.
11. "DTM (German Touringcar Masters) - 2003: Point standings". Speedsport Magazine.
12. "Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters Standings 2003". Motorsport Stats.
13. "2003 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters Drivers' Standings". TouringCars.net.
14. "DTM (German Touringcar Masters) - Season 2003: Results". Speedsport Magazine.