DTM Racing combines a clear sprint structure with strong visual storytelling — valuable for newsrooms, blogs, and Social Media. The series offers scheduled events, recurring venues, and recognizable brands, which simplifies planning and topic selection. IMAGO provides professional content from a worldwide network of partner photographers, agencies, and archives — without in‑house photographers and without exclusivity claims. This article places DTM in context, outlines format‑ready storylines, and closes with a clear distinction between editorial and non‑editorial use.
IMAGO / Kräling | Start Race 2: DTM 09 - Hockenheimring (Finale) 2017 DTM 09.
The DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) is a German-based championship with European rounds. After the historic touring car era (1984–1996), DTM returned in 2000. Since 2021, the series has run GT3 cars with Balance of Performance (BoP), keeping performance across brands broadly comparable. Organizational responsibility currently lies with ADAC. For editors, this means a stable ruleset and calendar that fit neatly into editorial planning.
The first season launched in 1984. The young championship quickly became a showcase for German and international touring cars. In the 1990s, factory programs and rapid technical progress shaped the series, alongside growing international reach. The 1996 end of that era left a deep archive of images and stories about technology, tactics, and rivalries.
IMAGO / HJS | Yellow and blue smoke flares are lit in front of the grandstand during the race Men's Motorsport DTM 1996, German Touring Car Championship, car race, motor racing, race car, racing car, wide shot.
2000–2020: Relaunch as “Masters”
With the 2000 relaunch, DTM re‑established itself as a sprint series with clear weekend modules (practice, qualifying, race). Brands such as Audi, Mercedes‑Benz, and Opel defined the visual identity for years. For publishers, this meant recurring heroes, distinctive liveries, and a reliable narrative rhythm that translates well into previews, live formats, and recaps.
Since 2021: GT3 Alignment
The switch to GT3 broadened the brand mix and made cross‑concept comparisons easier. BoP keeps the field close — ideal for highlight clips, photo galleries, and quick analyses. Under ADAC, DTM has retained its character as a sprint championship.
A typical DTM weekend follows the same pattern: practice, qualifying, and two sprint races. Race distance is usually about one hour plus one lap. Mandatory pit stops add strategic depth — perfect for short clip sequences (entry/exit, wheel change, out‑lap) and timing comparisons. This structure supports planned live posts, tickers, and video snippets.
IMAGO / Eibner / Pressefoto Memmler | Ayhancan Güven (Turkey, Manthey Racing EMA, Porsche 911 GT3 R, #90) and Gilles Magnus (Belgium, Comtoyou Racing, Aston Martin Vantage GT3, #007) during the formation lap before the race start in two-by-two formation. GER, ADAC DTM Finale Hockenheim, Race 2, Season 2025.
GT3 cars offer production‑derived silhouettes, high safety standards, and a wide brand palette (including Audi, BMW, Mercedes‑AMG, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini). For editors, this yields recognizable brand imagery and comparable narratives: top speed vs. traction, aero trim vs. tire management, consistency vs. peak pace. These tensions work well in brief explainers, graphics, or carousel posts.
The Norisring in Nuremberg is a visual outlier: a short street circuit with heavy braking zones and a dense backdrop — strong material for photo series and shorts. Hockenheimring and Nürburgring provide classic circuit aesthetics, from high‑speed sections to large grandstands. These contrasts enable editorial series (“Urban vs. Traditional”) and Social Media formats with strong recognition value.
IMAGO / Gruppe C Photography | DTM, 7th + 8th race Norisring 2025 - 24 Mercedes-AMG GT3, Mercedes-AMG Team Winward: Maro Engel Nuremberg Norisring Bavaria Germany.
High‑quality motorsport photography increases visibility and credibility. Panning communicates speed; close‑ups (marbles, brake dust) improve stop‑rates in feeds. Consistent color and contrast support brand presence across website, app, and Social Media. Accurate credits and precise captions demonstrate editorial care and streamline future research.
IMAGO / Eibner / Pressefoto Memmler | Ayhancan Güven (Turkey, Manthey Racing EMA, Porsche 911 GT3 R, #90) during a pit stop with a tyre change in the pit lane. GER, ADAC DTM Finale Hockenheim, Race 2, Season 2025, 05.10.2025.
“Explain in 30s”: Pit‑stop flow, BoP basics, safety‑car procedure.
“Then & Now”: Cars or track sections in before/after pairs.
“Driver Focus”: Micro‑profiles in three facts (style, strengths, notable moments).
“Track Guide”: One‑pager with braking points and key turns.
DTM storytelling thrives on brand rivalries and standout drivers. Bernd Schneider’s five titles remain a benchmark; Klaus Ludwig shaped the early years with multiple crowns. Regulatory shifts and the 2000 return divide the narrative into recognizable chapters. For blogs and Social, use anniversaries, quiz tiles (“Who won…?”), and timelines contrasting technical phases and team eras.
Webshop: Direct purchase of individual image licenses or credit packages.
by a sales manager.
All paths lead to simple, proper licensing — for spontaneous blog posts as well as long-term content strategies.
DTM combines sprint pace, iconic venues, and historical depth — a solid basis for media, agencies, brands, creators, NGOs, and educational institutions. Editors who rely on high‑quality visuals, consistent captions/credits, and clear format planning increase reach and reading value over time. The following legal overview summarizes licensing and release topics for both editorial and non‑editorial use.
General principle: A license grants usage rights, not ownership. Copyright remains with the creator or supplying agency.
IMAGO webshop license models:
Rights Managed (RM): One‑time use with a clearly defined scope (duration, territory, medium) — suited to editorial publications in news, blogs, and Social Media.
Royalty Free Classic (RF): Flexible use within the chosen framework; suitable for editorial and — depending on the variant — non‑editorial content.
Royalty Free Premium (RF Premium): A broader usage framework, including non‑editorial applications such as branding, advertising, packaging, and merchandising.
Editorial vs. non‑editorial:
Editorial: Journalism, reporting, information, and analysis.
Non‑editorial: Corporate, brand, and campaign communication, sponsorship posts, product or packaging context.
Model & Property Releases for non-editorial use:
Model Release: Required for commercial use when identifiable individuals are depicted (e.g., advertising, marketing, Social Media, product sales).
Property Release: Required when identifiable private property (buildings, artworks, pets, etc.) appears in commercial contexts.
Without these releases, material should be used editorially only. IMAGO indicates release status in image metadata and supports filtering by release type.
Practical note: For non‑editorial content, third-party rights checks by the client are necessary depending on the motif (e.g., brand or design rights in view). Clarify the intended use in advance and select the appropriate license type.