Nicki Thiim Joins Aston Martin DTM Line-Up 2026
Nicki Thiim, the celebrated Spa 24 Hours winner and two-time WEC GTE Pro Championship champion, has been confirmed as part of Comtoyou Racing’s DTM roster for the 2026 season. The Danish driver will contest his third full season in the championship, racing one of two Aston Martin Vantage GT3s entered by the Belgian squad.
Thiim, 36, will race alongside returning driver Nicolas Baert, who completed his debut season in 2025. The move marks the first time Thiim will represent his long-term employer, Aston Martin, in DTM competition, having previously raced in the series with a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 under special dispensation from the manufacturer.
“I’ve wanted to race in DTM all my life,” Thiim said. “When I was a child, the series was the centre of my universe, with my father, Kurt Thiim, winning the championship in a Rover Vitesse in 1986. Racing in DTM is intensely competitive—akin to Formula 1 in its intensity. Competing with the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 is a dream come true, and I am eager to add to my list of victories.”
Thiim already boasts a DTM triumph, having claimed his maiden series win at Norisring in 2024. He also has a decorated endurance racing record, including victory at the 2024 Spa 24 Hours with Comtoyou Racing, highlighting the productive partnership that he will continue in 2026.
Comtoyou Racing debuted in the DTM in 2025 with rookies Baert and Gilles Magnus, scoring a pole at Hockenheim and three top-10 finishes, but finishing last among the 12-team field. For the 2026 campaign, team leadership will be provided by Mario Schuhbauer, former head of the title-winning SSR Performance DTM outfit.
Adam Carter commented: “DTM is a prestigious and highly competitive GT championship. We are proud to see Comtoyou Racing campaign the Aston Martin Vantage GT3, and delighted to contribute Nicki Thiim’s outstanding talent to the programme. We wish Comtoyou, Nicki, and Nicolas Baert every success in 2026.”
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Driver | Nicki Thiim |
| Age | 36 |
| Team | Comtoyou Racing |
| Car | Aston Martin Vantage GT3 |
| Co-Driver | Nicolas Baert |
| Previous DTM Wins | 1 (Norisring 2024) |
| Endurance Highlights | Spa 24 Hours 2024 winner, 2× WEC GTE Pro champion |
| Team Leader | Mario Schuhbauer |
| Team DTM Debut | 2025 |
| 2025 DTM Results | Pole at Hockenheim, 3 top-10s, 12th of 12 teams |
Thiim’s arrival strengthens Aston Martin’s DTM presence, bringing both championship-winning experience and a deep personal connection to the series.
