The Lausitzring, also known as EuroSpeedway Lausitz, is a motorsport complex located in Klettwitz, Germany, near the Polish and Chezch borders, at 134 km (83 miles) south of Berlin. The complex opened in 2000 and currently includes several raceways like the NASCAR-Style tri-oval track (unique in continental Europe), the GP Circuit, or the Short Course, among several other configurations. The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, DTM, is the main competition regularly hosted at the Lausitzring nowadays, which has also hosted several editions of the Superbike World Championship in the past. The climate at the circuit location is continental, with considerable rainfall throughout the year and below freezing temperature in winter.
There are several inner road course configurations for racing inside the tri-oval superspeedway of the Lausitzring. The Grand Prix Circuit is a 2.7-mile (4.34-km), 14-turn layout sharing part of the NASCAR-style speedway. The 2.11-mile (3.39-km) Short Course is a reduced version of the GP Circuit with 12 turns and the same average speed of 83 mph (133 km/h). The racing dynamic in the superspeedway segments is similar to that of American tracks like Pocono Raceway, where the high banking favors overtaking because of the slingshot effect.
The Lausitzring GP DTM configuration represents a 4.41-kilometer evolution of the standard GP Circuit, featuring 14 turns with modifications specifically engineered for DTM championship racing. This variant incorporates subtle layout adjustments and corner profile changes developed through decades of DTM competition data, optimizing the track for modern GT3-spec touring cars that dominate contemporary DTM grids. The 60-meter length increase over the standard GP Circuit stems from modified corner apexes and adjusted run-off configurations that enhance safety while maintaining the circuit's high-speed character demanding committed driving through fast sweeping sections. Turn 1's hairpin geometry features tighter entry angles optimized for late-braking overtaking maneuvers characteristic of door-to-door touring car racing. The middle sector's technical combinations through Turns 5-9 employ adjusted curbing profiles that reward precise turn-in while punishing track limit violations—modifications reflecting DTM's strict adherence to racing boundaries. Average lap times around 1:26-1:28 at DTM competition pace demand maximum commitment, with the counterclockwise direction creating asymmetric tire wear patterns requiring sophisticated compound management. Professional DTM competitors exploit this configuration's nuances through setup adjustments unavailable on the standard GP variant. Located in Brandenburg's former industrial heartland, this purpose-optimized configuration demonstrates how championship-level racing drives circuit evolution beyond generic track day specifications toward competition-focused refinement.
