Former Timo Glock has delivered a stark assessment of his 2025 campaign in the DTM, branding it “a disaster” as he prepares for a reset season with a heavily revised McLaren 720S GT3 Evo under the banner of Dörr Motorsport.
The ex-Formula 1 driver endured a frustrating year in which little went to plan, failing to secure a finish higher than 10th. Reflecting candidly, Glock admitted that misfortune and technical inconsistency defined his season. “Everything that could go wrong did go wrong,” he said, signalling a desire to mentally draw a line under the past and refocus entirely on 2026.
Winter overhaul amid disruption
Dörr Motorsport has undergone significant restructuring over the winter, including changes in management and engineering personnel. The arrival of new GT3 chief Volker Strycek and the departure of key staff — including Glock’s previous race engineer — have reshaped the team’s internal dynamics.
However, this reset has come at a cost: preparation has been far from ideal. Glock enters the new season with a new engineer, Gerd Kusstatscher, but their working relationship remains in its infancy due to limited testing mileage.
A combination of external commitments and mechanical setbacks severely curtailed Glock’s winter running. His absence from key tests — including sessions at Vallelunga due to media duties — and engine issues during subsequent outings meant that meaningful track time was scarce.
Pre-season running summary
| Test/Event | Location | Key Issues | Laps Completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pirelli Test (Nov) | Circuit Paul Ricard | Limited integration with new engineer | Limited |
| Private Test | Anneau du Rhin | Driver absence (Glock replaced) | N/A |
| Vallelunga Test (Mar) | Autodromo Vallelunga | Engine problems, tyre restrictions | 44 (combined) |
Tackling a critical weakness
Central to the team’s off-season efforts has been addressing Glock’s primary concern: a lack of feedback from the car at the limit. According to team manager Axel Funke, the previous set-up left drivers struggling to anticipate grip loss, undermining confidence and consistency.
To resolve this, Dörr Motorsport has implemented targeted suspension modifications within the FIA’s homologation allowances. By adjusting mounting points within permitted tolerances, engineers have effectively altered the car’s geometry to improve handling feel and tyre behaviour.
Additional refinements include:
- Recalibrated ABS software to enhance braking consistency
- A switch in brake supplier from Alcon to TM Performance
- Softer baseline set-ups aimed at improving tyre warm-up
These changes, while subtle within regulatory constraints, represent a concerted effort to transform drivability — a key factor in sprint-focused series like DTM.
A season of cautious optimism
Despite the disrupted build-up, Glock remains cautiously optimistic. The German acknowledges that success will depend not only on technical progress but also on rebuilding trust between driver and machine.
In a championship where margins are razor-thin and performance outweighs reliability, the pressure is firmly on. Yet Glock appears ready to embrace the challenge, drawing parallels with earlier rebuilding phases in his career.
Whether the revised McLaren package can deliver the consistency and confidence he seeks remains to be seen. But after a bruising 2025, one thing is clear: Glock is determined to ensure that history does not repeat itself.