Bruno Spengler (left) won his first Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters Drivers' Championship while Gary Paffett (right) finished second in the championship.

The 2012 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters was the twenty-sixth season of premier German touring car championship and also thirteenth season under the moniker of Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters since the series' resumption in 2000. New regulations applied for the 2012 season (see below). BMW returned to the championship for the first time since 1994.^[1] It was also the last time non-European driver to won the DTM title until South African Sheldon van der Linde in 2022 season.

It was a triumphant return for BMW after returning from 18 years absence, and a dismal year for Mercedes-Benz AMG only rescued by early three official victories courtesy of Gary Paffett in Hockenheimring and Brands Hatch twice and Jamie Green in Norisring only (with an exception of Ralf Schumacher and Jamie Green in Showevent Olympiastadion München relay races respectively because of exhibition event).

Rule changes

Sporting

• The points system for the 2012 season was changed to reflect the system used by the FIA for world championships. The top ten drivers in each race are awarded points on a scale of 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1.^[2]
• Refuelling during the race was banned after 12 years due to safety concerns and also avoid cut costs.

Technical

• For the first time since 2003 season the DTM reintroduced the smaller two-door coupé-style cars respectively but the two-door coupé-style cars shape were much different than 2000-2003 coupés as the new generational of Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters cars were based on 2-door coupé D-segment compact executive cars. The four-door D-segment mid-size sedan-style cars (introduced since 2004 but mandatory requirement since 2005) was permanently retired after the 2011 season. The engine configuration remained unchanged until 2018 despite the coupé-style cars' reintroduction.
• After 12 years, the sequential manual gearbox shifters were replaced by newly-mandatory sequential semi-automatic paddle-shifters respectively for all DTM cars to make easier shifting rather than manual shifters.
• The minimum weight of the cars has been increased from 1,050 kg (2,315 lb) to 1,100 kg (2,425 lb). From 2000-2003, the all DTM cars weight were 1,080 kg (2,381 lb). From 2004-2006, all DTM cars weight were 1,030 kg (2,271 lb). From 2007-2011, the all DTM cars weight were 1,050 kg (2,315 lb).
• The rear wing of all DTM cars has been changed to the single-element plane wing instead of a dual-element plane wing to create downforce.
• The fuel tank capacity of all DTM cars were increased to 120 litres (32 US gallons) instead of usual 65–70 litres (17–18 US gallons) due to refuelling ban rules.
• The seat of all DTM cars was integrated into the carbon fibre monocoque that is connected to a roll cage of high-strength steel due to safety concerns.
• The year-old aging DTM cars were banned due to previous year cars were 4-door saloon model types.
• As a result of the transition from the outgoing four-door sedan-style cars to two-door coupé-style cars, the tyre sizes of Hankook Ventus DTM tyres were also altered from 260/660-R18 (10.2/25.9-R18) on fronts and 280/660-R18 (11.0/25.9-R18) on rears to 300/680-R18 (11.8/26.8-R18) on fronts and 320/700-R18 (12.6/27.9-R18) on rears in order to improve more mechanical grip and handling while cornering to suit the driving style.^[3]

Calendar

An eleven-round calendar was announced on 11 November, including the non-championship event in Munich.^[4]

Round	Circuit	Date	Maps
1	Hockenheimring	29 April	Hockenheim Lausitz Nuremberg Munich Nürburg Oschersleben Brands Hatch Spielberg Zandvoort Valencia
2	Lausitzring	6 May
3	Brands Hatch	20 May
4	Red Bull Ring	3 June
5	Norisring	1 July
NC	Olympiastadion München	14–15 July
6	Nürburgring	19 August
7	Circuit Park Zandvoort	26 August
8	Motorsport Arena Oschersleben	16 September
9	Circuit Ricardo Tormo	30 September
10	Hockenheimring	21 October

Teams and drivers

The following manufacturers, teams and drivers competed in the 2012 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. All teams competed with tyres supplied by Hankook.

Make	Car	Team	No.	Drivers	Rounds
BMW	BMW M3 DTM	BMW Team RMG[5]	1	Martin Tomczyk[6]	All
			2	Joey Hand[7]	All
		BMW Team Schnitzer[5]	7	Bruno Spengler[8]	All
			8	Dirk Werner[9]	All
		BMW Team RBM[5]	15	Andy Priaulx[10]	All
			16	Augusto Farfus[10]	All
Audi	Audi A5 DTM	Abt Sportsline[11]	3	Mattias Ekström[11]	All
			4	Timo Scheider[11]	All
		Phoenix Racing[11]	9	Mike Rockenfeller[11]	All
			10	Miguel Molina[11]	All
		Audi Sport Team Abt[11]	17	Rahel Frey[11]	All
			18	Adrien Tambay[12]	All
		Team Rosberg[11]	21	Edoardo Mortara[11]	All
			22	Filipe Albuquerque[11]	All
Mercedes-Benz	DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé	Mercedes AMG	5	Jamie Green[13]	All
			6	Ralf Schumacher[14]	All
		HWA Team	11	Gary Paffett[15]	All
			12	Christian Vietoris[16]	All
		Mücke Motorsport[17]	19	David Coulthard[17]	All
			20	Robert Wickens[16]	All
		Persson Motorsport	23	Roberto Merhi[16]	All
			24	Susie Wolff[18]	All

Driver changes

Changed Teams

• 2011 champion Martin Tomczyk left Team Phoenix and Audi to join Team RMG, one of the three teams running BMW machinery.
• 2011 runner-up Bruno Spengler left Mercedes' HWA Team and also joined BMW with Team Schnitzer.
• Rahel Frey left Team Phoenix to join Abt Sportsline, with Mike Rockenfeller and Miguel Molina moving over from Abt to fill the seats at Team Phoenix.
• Christian Vietoris switched from Persson Motorsport to HWA Team.

Entering DTM

• Long-time BMW factory drivers Augusto Farfus, Joey Hand, Andy Priaulx and Dirk Werner made their début in the series with BMW. Farfus and Priaulx are driving for Team RBM, Hand for Team RMG and Werner with Team Schnitzer.
• Formula 3 Euro Series champion Roberto Merhi and Formula Renault 3.5 Series champion Robert Wickens joined Mercedes teams Persson Motorsport and Mücke Motorsport respectively.
• After competing in Auto GP, French driver Adrien Tambay joined Abt Sportsline for his debut in the series.

Leaving DTM

• Maro Engel left the series.
• Oliver Jarvis was promoted to the Audi LMP1 sportscar squad and the FIA GT1 World Championship with Team WRT, and was replaced by Adrien Tambay.
• Renger van der Zande left the DTM series.^[19]

Results and standings

Results summary

Round	Circuit	Date	Pole position	Fastest lap	Winning driver	Winning team	Winning manufacturer
1	Hockenheimring	29 April	Mattias Ekström	Jamie Green	Gary Paffett	HWA Team	Mercedes-Benz
2	Lausitzring	6 May	Bruno Spengler	Jamie Green	Bruno Spengler	BMW Team Schnitzer	BMW
3	Brands Hatch, Kent	20 May	Gary Paffett	Martin Tomczyk	Gary Paffett	HWA Team	Mercedes-Benz
4	Red Bull Ring, Spielberg	3 June	Edoardo Mortara	Timo Scheider	Edoardo Mortara	Team Rosberg	Audi
5	Norisring, Nuremberg	1 July	Gary Paffett	Jamie Green	Jamie Green	Mercedes AMG	Mercedes-Benz
NC	Showevent Olympiastadion München	14 July	Relay races		Jamie Green Ralf Schumacher	Mercedes AMG	Mercedes-Benz
		15 July	Knockout races		Mattias Ekström	Abt Sportsline	Audi
6	Nürburgring	19 August	Bruno Spengler	Bruno Spengler	Bruno Spengler	BMW Team Schnitzer	BMW
7	Circuit Park Zandvoort	26 August	Timo Scheider	Gary Paffett	Edoardo Mortara	Team Rosberg	Audi
8	Motorsport Arena Oschersleben	16 September	Bruno Spengler	Roberto Merhi	Bruno Spengler	BMW Team Schnitzer	BMW
9	Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia	30 September	Augusto Farfus	Bruno Spengler	Augusto Farfus	BMW Team RBM	BMW
10	Hockenheimring	21 October	Augusto Farfus	Gary Paffett	Bruno Spengler	BMW Team Schnitzer	BMW

Championship standings

Scoring system

Points are awarded to the top ten classified finishers as follows:

Drivers' championship

Pos. Driver HOC LAU BRH RBR NOR OLY‡ NÜR ZAN OSC VAL HOC Points 1 Bruno Spengler Ret 1 2 Ret 3 5 3 1 6 1 6 1 149 2 Gary Paffett 1 2 1 3 4 3 3 6 7 2 Ret 2 145 3 Jamie Green 2 4 8 5 1 1 2 4 4 3 10 4 121 4 Mike Rockenfeller 5 13 3 7 6 DNQ 5 5 2 6 5 Ret 85 5 Edoardo Mortara 11 8 9 1 Ret DNQ 9 2 1 Ret 16† 6 82 6 Mattias Ekström 3 5 5 4 Ret 5 1 11 3 8 3 Ret 81 7 Augusto Farfus 15 3 11 10 Ret 5 5 10 9 5 1 3 69 8 Martin Tomczyk Ret 7 4 2 2 DNQ 5 3 Ret Ret Ret 14 69 9 Dirk Werner 17 19 16 Ret 10 4 17 12 8 4 9 5 29 10 Adrien Tambay Ret 18 12 Ret 15 2 9 Ret 5 16 2 Ret 28 11 Filipe Albuquerque 10 9 10 8 11 DNQ 9 8 15† 9 4 11 26 12 Christian Vietoris 4 11 6 Ret 8 3 9 16 Ret 12 12 10 25 13 Andy Priaulx 6 17 Ret Ret 7 DNQ 17 19 13 Ret 8 7 24 14 Timo Scheider Ret 6 Ret 6 16 2 17 9 Ret 10 Ret 12 19 15 David Coulthard 8 12 15 Ret 5 DNQ 5 20 Ret Ret 11 Ret 14 16 Robert Wickens 14 22† 14 13 9 DNQ 9 7 Ret 7 Ret Ret 14 17 Ralf Schumacher 7 10 19 11 Ret 1 17 13 10 13 14 9 10 18 Miguel Molina 9 15 7 Ret 12 5 9 15 Ret 15 Ret Ret 8 19 Rahel Frey 16 20 18 15 17 DNQ 9 14 Ret Ret 7 16 6 20 Joey Hand 13 14 13 9 14 4 9 18 14 11 15† 8 6 21 Roberto Merhi 18 16 17 12 13 DNQ 17 Ret 11 14 Ret 15 0 22 Susie Wolff 12 21 20† 14 Ret DNQ 17 17 12 Ret 13 13 0 Pos. Driver HOC LAU BRH RBR NOR OLY‡ NÜR ZAN OSC VAL HOC Points

Colour Result Gold Winner Silver Second place Bronze Third place Green Points finish Blue Non-points finish Non-classified finish (NC) Purple Retired (Ret) Red Did not qualify (DNQ) Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ) Black Disqualified (DSQ) White Did not start (DNS) Withdrew (WD) Race cancelled (C) Blank Did not practice (DNP) Did not arrive (DNA) Excluded (EX) Bold – Pole Italics – Fastest Lap

Notes:

• † — Driver retired, but was classified as they completed 90% of the winner's race distance.
• ‡ — No points are awarded for the non-championship Munich Olympiastadion event.

Teams' championship

Pos. Team No. HOC LAU BRH RBR NOR OLY‡ NÜR ZAN OSC VAL HOC Points 1 BMW Team Schnitzer 7 Ret 1 2 Ret 3 5 3 1 6 1 6 1 178 8 17 19 16 Ret 10 4 17 12 8 4 9 5 2 HWA Team 11 1 2 1 3 4 3 3 6 7 2 Ret 2 170 12 4 11 6 Ret 8 3 9 16 Ret 12 12 10 3 Mercedes AMG 5 2 4 8 5 1 1 2 4 4 3 10 4 131 6 7 10 19 11 Ret 1 17 13 10 13 14 9 4 Team Rosberg 21 11 8 9 1 Ret DNQ 9 2 1 Ret 16† 6 108 22 10 9 10 8 11 DNQ 9 8 15† 9 4 11 5 Abt Sportsline 3 3 5 5 4 Ret 5 1 11 3 8 3 Ret 100 4 Ret 6 Ret 6 16 2 17 9 Ret 10 Ret Ret 6 BMW Team RBM 15 6 17 Ret Ret 7 DNQ 17 19 13 Ret 8 7 93 16 15 3 11 10 Ret 5 5 10 9 5 1 3 7 Phoenix Racing 9 5 13 3 7 6 DNQ 5 5 2 6 5 Ret 93 10 9 15 7 Ret 12 5 9 15 Ret 15 Ret Ret 8 BMW Team RMG 1 Ret 7 4 2 2 DNQ 5 3 Ret Ret Ret 14 75 2 13 14 13 9 14 4 9 18 14 11 15† 8 9 Audi Sport Team Abt 17 16 20 18 15 17 DNQ 9 14 Ret Ret 7 16 34 18 Ret 18 12 Ret 15 2 9 Ret 5 16 2 Ret 10 Mücke Motorsport 19 8 12 15 Ret 5 DNQ 5 20 Ret Ret 11 Ret 28 20 14 22† 14 13 9 DNQ 9 7 Ret 7 Ret Ret 11 Persson Motorsport 23 18 16 17 12 13 DNQ 17 Ret 11 14 Ret 15 0 24 12 21 20† 14 Ret DNQ 17 17 12 Ret 13 13 Pos. Team No. HOC LAU BRH RBR NOR OLY‡ NÜR ZAN OSC VAL HOC Points

Colour Result Gold Winner Silver Second place Bronze Third place Green Points finish Blue Non-points finish Non-classified finish (NC) Purple Retired (Ret) Red Did not qualify (DNQ) Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ) Black Disqualified (DSQ) White Did not start (DNS) Withdrew (WD) Race cancelled (C) Blank Did not practice (DNP) Did not arrive (DNA) Excluded (EX) Bold – Pole Italics – Fastest Lap

Notes:

• † — Driver retired, but was classified as they completed 90% of the winner's race distance.
• ‡ — No points are awarded for the non-championship Munich Olympiastadion event.

Manufacturers' championship

Pos.	Manufacturer	HOC	LAU	BRH	RBR	NOR		OLY‡			NÜR	ZAN	OSC	VAL	HOC	Points
1	BMW	8	46	30	21	40		0	0		41	14	47	39	60	346
2	Audi	28	24	34	55	8		0	0		34	68	15	61	8	335
3	Mercedes-Benz	65	31	37	25	53		0	0		26	19	39	1	33	329
Pos.	Manufacturer	HOC	LAU	BRH	RBR	NOR		OLY‡			NÜR	ZAN	OSC	VAL	HOC	Points

Notes:

• ‡ — No points are awarded for the non-championship Munich Olympiastadion event.