‘Road to DTM’ 2026 young talent programme: Five winners on their way to the DTM

Four series, five winners and a shared journey: in 2026, Finn Zulauf, Denny Berndt, Lachlan Robinson, Michael Schrey and Jakub Kamenik won the ‘Road to DTM’. From karting through the BMW M2 Cup and the ADAC GT4 Germany right up to the ADAC GT Masters, drivers are supported on their journey towards the DTM. The season proved particularly successful for Finn Zulauf. Following his success in the ADAC GT4 Germany, the 22-year-old has now also won the ‘Road to DTM’ standings in the ADAC GT Masters, thereby securing a development package for a potential start in the 2027 DTM season.

Zulauf achieves historic double victory

Zulauf, from Hesse (Königstein im Taunus), made history at the season finale at the Hockenheimring. Together with Felix Hirsiger, the Lamborghini driver from Liqui Moly Team Engstler Motorsport won the ADAC GT Masters title and also came out on top in the ‘Road to DTM’ standings. Back in 2024, Zulauf had already won the young talent programme as champion of the ADAC GT4 Germany and subsequently moved up to the ADAC GT Masters. This makes him the first driver to have been successful at two different stages of the ‘Road to DTM’. “It’s a really cool story that, following my success in the ADAC GT4 Germany, I’ve now also won the ADAC GT Masters, making me the first driver to have won the ‘Road to DTM’ in both championships,” explains Zulauf. “I’m very grateful to the ADAC for allowing me to keep climbing this ladder of success.”

With his victory in the young drivers’ standings, Zulauf receives a support package for the 2027 DTM season. Finn Wiebelhaus (Obertshausen) has already proved this year that the leap from the ADAC GT Masters to the DTM is possible. Last year’s champion and ‘Road to DTM’ winner moved up to the DTM for the 2026 season with HRT Ford Racing and immediately impressed with strong performances in the Ford Mustang GT3.

Berndt and Robinson set their sights on GT3

The new ADAC GT4 Germany champions also claimed victory in the ‘Road to DTM’. Berndt (Berlin) and Robinson (AUS/both AVIA W&S Motorsport) not only secured the drivers’ and junior titles together in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, but will also receive support through the young talent development programme for a potential move up to the ADAC GT Masters. “The ‘Road to DTM’ programme is of interest to me – as is GT3 racing. It would be an honour to compete in the ADAC GT Masters,” says Robinson, looking ahead to the coming season. Team-mate Berndt adds: “I think the support from the ADAC via the Road to DTM programme is brilliant and helpful. As a young driver, you’re always looking to move up.” Whether the duo will make the move into GT3 racing together in 2027 or defend their title in the ADAC GT4 Germany remains to be seen.

Schrey wins the BMW M2 Cup

Schrey (Wallenhorst) came out on top in the BMW M2 Cup, organised by the ADAC for the first time in 2026. The seasoned driver from Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport won the one-make cup in his BMW M2 Racing and, with it, the ‘Road to DTM’. Schrey already had extensive experience under his belt before competing in the BMW M2 Cup, having been crowned ADAC GT4 Germany champion in 2021.

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Kamenik on the cusp of a motorsport career

The entry point to the ‘Road to DTM’ is the German Karting Championship, where the junior programme is anchored in the OK-N category. There, Kamenik secured the title and, in doing so, also won the ‘Road to DTM’ Trophy. The Czech driver will receive the entry fee for a place in either the BMW M2 Cup or the ADAC GT4 Germany for the 2027 season, giving him the chance to make the direct transition from karting to motor racing. “I’m really looking forward to what lies ahead. The ‘Road to DTM’ gives me the chance to take the next step and prove myself in the GT4 or M2 Cup. I’m very excited about that,” says Kamenik.

For the 2027 season, the ‘Road to DTM’ will be even more specifically geared towards direct promotion to the next level of motorsport. To this end, the support packages will be restructured at all levels. A total of 1.5 million euros in cash and non-cash prizes will be available next year. The winners of the ‘Road to DTM’ in the 2027 season will be the first to benefit from this.