The battle to bring the Lamborghini Temerario GT3 up to pace with the rest of the DTM field following the Spielberg debacle continues at the second round in Zandvoort. The Italian brand made a concerted effort ahead of the weekend in the Netherlands to be allowed to run a different rear wing setting in order to generate more downforce.
This requires a minor modification to the rear wing mounting. The matter was debated within the DTM GT Committee alongside the other manufacturers, as the steeper wing setting falls outside the car’s official FIA GT3 homologation. However, it can be approved through the "DTM Additional Homologation".
This regulatory tool was originally introduced a year ago to close gray areas in the FIA homologation. The debate sparked significant pushback from the manufacturers represented in the DTM. According to sources, Ferrari in particular fought the move tooth and nail, while BMW, Mercedes-AMG, and McLaren are also said to view the matter critically. Other manufacturers abstained from the discussion.
How the change was pushed through despite resistance
Since the DTM GT Committee - consisting of Michael Rebhan (Head of DTM Sporting and Events), Technical Coordinator Robert Maas, and Series Manager Michael Cap - decides by simple majority, the change was approved nonetheless.
As a result, a revision to the Balance of Performance (BoP) originally published last Friday was sent out on Thursday evening ahead of the Zandvoort weekend. It grants the Lamborghini not only a rear wing that is three degrees steeper but also 0.02 bar more boost pressure in the upper rev range.
This adjustment is due to the fact that the car is now slower on the straights because of the steeper rear wing. Regarding boost pressure, the car was already operating outside the window intended by the FIA during homologation, but the additional "boost" is technically feasible and is therefore being implemented.
Boost pressure moves outside FIA homologation
"The higher boost pressure should help us, and we have also made a few steps forward," says Team Principal Gottfried Grasser, who is targeting positions in the midfield. "The high temperatures should also have a positive effect in terms of getting the tires into the window better."
In general, the Lamborghini has up to 0.1 bar more boost in the high rev range than it did in Spielberg, where it was already at the upper limit of the FIA window.
However, the BoP for Zandvoort is hardly comparable to Spielberg anyway, as the track characteristics in the Netherlands - with its many medium-speed corners and significant elevation changes (Spielberg sits at nearly 700 meters, Zandvoort at sea level) - are completely different.
Why the Zandvoort BoP is not comparable to Spielberg
For this reason, the SRO Motorsports Group, which is responsible for the classification, used the second DTM test in Vallelunga at the end of March as the BoP baseline. Last year’s data from Zandvoort is virtually unusable due to the new DTM-spec tire and changes to the cars.
This also explains the many changes compared to Spielberg. Notably, the McLaren must make do with significantly less boost pressure - not only compared to Spielberg but also compared to Zandvoort 2025. In the low to medium rev range around 5,500 rpm, the reduction is 0.06 bar, bringing the classification more in line with the values typically seen in SRO-run series.
In principle, Zandvoort should suit the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, as the car's traditional struggle to generate tire temperature should be offset by the abrasive asphalt.
The favorable weather forecast is also expected to have a positive impact. Furthermore, the McLaren notoriously dislikes high curbs, which are non-existent in Zandvoort. It remains to be seen whether these factors will compensate for the less favorable BoP.
.
