In a stunning turn of events just days before the penultimate DTM weekend at the Sachsenring, the previously cancelled Audi guest entry by Seyffarth Motorsport has been reinstated, igniting a fresh wave of excitement across the motorsport community. According to a report by sportsamo.com, this last-minute reversal of plans brings a fresh wave of excitement to the series, ensuring Audi’s continued presence and introducing a promising local talent to the premier German touring car championship. The German squad will now compete with the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo2, proudly sporting car number 77, bringing the total number of distinct manufacturers on the DTM grid to an impressive nine.
The highly anticipated guest entry will see 21-year-old Simon Connor Primm, a rising star from Saxony, make his DTM debut. Primm, who has been competing with Seyffarth’s HGL Racing team alongside Polish driver Robin Rogalski in the ADAC GT Masters series this season, recently showcased his formidable pace by securing pole position at the Lausitzring. His sudden elevation to the DTM stage at his home circuit is not just a personal milestone but a significant moment for German motorsport, offering local fans a new hero to rally behind.
The path to this surprise entry has been anything but straightforward. Seyffarth Motorsport, under the leadership of team boss Tobias Seyffarth, had initially planned their DTM guest entries for a later date, specifically postponing them until the 2027 season, with a long-term goal of a full-season assault from 2026. This strategic delay led the team to skip the official DTM test at the Sachsenring just over two weeks prior, indicating a firm commitment to their revised timeline. The decision to participate now, therefore, represents a dramatic and unexpected shift in their operational strategy, fueled by an undisclosed combination of factors that must have aligned perfectly in recent days.
Sources close to the team indicate that the situation evolved rapidly and positively at short notice, prompting Seyffarth Motorsport to seize this unexpected opportunity. While the team competes as HGL Racing in the ADAC GT Masters, they will enter the DTM weekend under the banner of Seyffarth Motorsport, a name synonymous with meticulous preparation and competitive spirit in various GT categories. Crucially, the team is not entirely unfamiliar with the demands of DTM-spec machinery, having participated in the DTM tire tests in Vallelunga back in March. This experience with the series’ specific tire compounds will undoubtedly be an advantage, albeit a small one, as they prepare for the unique challenges of a DTM race weekend, particularly the high-pressure, lightning-fast performance pit stops, which are widely considered the biggest hurdle for any new or guest team.
For Simon Connor Primm, this DTM debut is the realization of a lifelong dream. "I was still racing karts five years ago," Primm reflected, his voice brimming with excitement ahead of the biggest race of his young career. "It was a huge dream for me to be able to drive in the DTM myself one day. This is just mega for me." His journey from the grassroots of karting to the pinnacle of German touring car racing in such a short span is a testament to his talent, dedication, and the robust development pathways available in German motorsport. It also highlights the DTM’s enduring appeal as a career aspiration for young drivers.
Primm’s career trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. After transitioning from karts to GT racing in 2022, he quickly made his mark, clinching the junior title in GT4 Germany in 2023. That same year, he made his first guest starts in the ADAC GT Masters, partnering with current DTM driver Maximilian Paul in a Lamborghini, showcasing his adaptability and speed against seasoned competitors. His breakout moment in the ADAC GT Masters came in 2025 when he celebrated his maiden victory alongside Finn Zulauf, again in Paul’s Lamborghini, signaling his potential for top-tier GT racing.
The connection between Primm and Seyffarth Motorsport runs deep. Team boss Tobias Seyffarth, a highly respected figure in the German motorsport scene, served as chief mechanic for Paul’s team in the ADAC GT Masters. This long-standing working relationship means Seyffarth knows Primm’s capabilities, work ethic, and potential intimately, providing a solid foundation of trust and understanding as they embark on this ambitious DTM venture. "I feel great having the opportunity with Audi now, I am motivated and really looking forward to it," a delighted Primm stated, fresh off a weekend of racing with the Seyffarth team at the Salzburgring, where he currently sits eleventh in the ADAC GT Masters championship standings. This established rapport will be invaluable as they navigate the intense environment of a DTM weekend, where every millisecond counts.
This guest entry also carries significant historical weight for Audi. While Seyffarth Motorsport’s entry is not eligible for championship points, meaning subsequent participants will move up in the points distribution, it ensures that the 2026 DTM season does not unfold entirely without an Audi presence. This is a crucial point for a brand deeply woven into the fabric of the DTM’s modern era. The Volkswagen Group marque has been a constant fixture on the DTM grid every single season since the championship was re-established in 2000, maintaining an unbroken streak that speaks volumes about its commitment to the series, even if its involvement has shifted from full factory efforts to customer racing support over the years.
Audi’s DTM legacy is immense, dating back to its factory entry in 1990. The brand has accumulated an impressive 143 victories in the series, a testament to its engineering prowess and competitive spirit. Last year, the Land squad, with Ricardo Feller at the wheel of an Audi, delivered the brand’s most recent triumph at Spielberg, a poignant reminder of its continued capability. However, recent years have seen a strategic shift for Audi Sport. Following a decision in 2023 to downscale its customer racing department, the subsequent end of the factory driver pool, and the production halt for the iconic R8 GT3, numerous long-standing teams have, regrettably, had to part ways with the traditional DTM brand. Seyffarth’s entry, therefore, acts as a vital lifeline, symbolically preserving Audi’s unbroken presence and reminding fans of its illustrious past, even as its future factory involvement remains under review.
The DTM’s ability to attract nine different manufacturers – including BMW, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren, Ford (with the new Mustang), Opel (with the Astra), and now Audi – underscores the series’ robust health and appeal in the global GT3 landscape. This diverse grid ensures fierce competition and a spectacle for fans, showcasing a wide array of automotive engineering philosophies. The Sachsenring itself, a challenging and undulating circuit known for its passionate atmosphere and demanding corners, provides the perfect backdrop for Primm’s debut. Its technical layout and high-speed sections will be a stern test for both driver and machine, especially for a team making a last-minute entry.
For Seyffarth Motorsport, this guest appearance is more than just a one-off. It can be viewed as an invaluable learning experience, a trial by fire that will undoubtedly inform their future DTM aspirations. The team will gain firsthand insight into the operational complexities, the intensity of DTM pit stops, and the performance window of the DTM-spec tires under race conditions. This data and experience will be crucial if they are to mount a full-season challenge in 2027, as initially planned. For Simon Connor Primm, it’s a golden opportunity to prove his mettle on a grand stage, potentially catching the eye of manufacturers and securing a more permanent seat in top-tier GT racing. His performance at the Sachsenring will be closely watched, not just by local fans but by the entire DTM paddock, as he takes a significant step forward in his burgeoning career. The return of Audi, however brief, and the emergence of a promising young talent like Primm, guarantee that the Sachsenring weekend will be one to remember in the DTM calendar.
