DTM introduces percentage-based weight handicap rules

Balance of performance was decided on a round-by-round basis during the 2015 season - and that method that was criticised heavily, with a number of drivers and team personnel saying it had too big an impact on the outcome of the championship.

Instead, it was agreed that the weights would instead be determined on a race-by-race basis instead of round-by-round - and DTM has now revealed the exact specifics of how the new system will work.

The redistribution of weight will now take place after each of the 16 qualifying sessions of the season - two in each round.

For each manufacturer, the deciding factor will be the best theoretical/ideal laptime among its eight drivers, that being a time made from combining the driver's best time in each sector.

On that basis, DTM has named six possible scenarios of weight re-distribution:

• If the second and third manufacturer's ideal laptime is more than 0.2% off the leading manufacturer, the trailing duo will both get a 5kg break - while the leading marque will have 5kg added on.

• If one of the trailing manufacturers is between 0.1% and 0.2% off and the other is more than 0.2% off, the former will not have its weight altered, while the latter will lose 5kg and the leader will have 5kg added on.

• If one trailing manufacturer is within 0.1% of the leader, but the other one is more than 0.2% behind, the former will get 5kg added on, as will the leader, while the latter will shed 5kg.

• If both trailing manufacturers are between 0.1% and 0.2% off the leader, they will both shed 2.5kg, while the leader will gain 2.5kg.

• If one trailing manufacturer is within 0.1% of the leader and the other is between 0.1% and 0.2% off, the former will get 2.5kg added on, as will the leader, while the latter will shed 2.5kg.

• If both trailing manufacturers are within 0.1% of the leader, no changes will be made.

Ideal laptime deficits		Weight changes
2nd-best marque	3rd-best marque	Leader	2nd-best marque	3rd-best marque
>0.2%	>0.2%	+5kg	-5kg	-5kg
>0.1% but <0.2%	>0.2%	+5kg	-	-5kg
<0.1%	>0.2%	+5kg	+5kg	-5kg
>0.1% but <0.2%	>0.1% but <0.2%	+2.5kg	-2.5kg	-2.5kg
<0.1%	>0.1% but <0.2%	+2.5kg	+2.5kg	-2.5kg
<0.1%	<0.1%	-	-	-

The baseline weight ahead of the first qualifying of the season is unchanged compared to 2015 for Audi and Mercedes - 1120kg. For BMW, however, the regulations have allowed a concession and the marque will start out at 1112.5kg.

The maximum possible weight is set at 1140kg during the season, meaning Audi and Mercedes will not be forced to gain more than 20kg with balance of performance - and BMW won't gain more than 27.5kg.

The rules also stipulate that no manufacturer will be able to shed more than 15kg. As such, the minimum is set at 1105kg for Audi and Mercedes and at 1097.5kg for BMW.