Mercedes-AMG Unveils 2026 DTM Designs: Auer to Race “Shoe Box” Car

Mercedes-AMG Motorsport has revealed the designs for its four Mercedes-AMG GT3 cars that will compete in the 2026 DTM season. The cars, fielded by the Landgraf Motorsport and Winward Racing teams, showcase diverse design concepts, blending performance with brand messaging. Lucas Auer will pilot a uniquely designed vehicle inspired by an iconic Adidas shoe box.

Auer’s “Shoe Box” Design

Austrian driver Lucas Auer, entering his eleventh DTM season, will race the #22 Mercedes-AMG GT3 featuring a design developed in collaboration with Adidas. The car is finished in Adidas Originals Blue and adorned with the brand’s signature three white stripes, mirroring the appearance of a classic Adidas shoe box.

“The Adidas design is really special and immediately catches the eye. It’s fun to drive a car like this,” Auer stated in a press release. Motorsport-Total.com

Team Landgraf and Winward Racing Designs

Tom Kalender, the youngest driver in the DTM field, will drive the #84 Mercedes-AMG GT3 in a red and white livery from spare parts specialist febi. Jules Gounon will continue to race with the iconic “Mamba” design (#48), featuring a yellow and green snakeskin pattern. This design, first introduced in 2015, has become a hallmark of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport.

Maro Engel’s #80 AMG-GT3 will retain the blue and yellow base colors from the previous year, with a redesigned livery that incorporates a cheetah symbol to represent power, and agility. The number 80 also commemorates the 80th anniversary of lubricant manufacturer RAVENOL. Engel noted the special connection to the design, as his father, Rainer Engel, a fashion designer, contributed to the creative process. Motorsport-Total.com

Mercedes-AMG’s Brand Strategy

Christoph Sagemüller, Head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, emphasized the importance of the DTM as a platform to combine performance, brands, and partnerships. “Our four Mercedes-AMG GT3s will compete in 2026 with individual designs that attract attention and convey clear brand messages,” he said. “Together with the Mercedes-AMG Motorsport partners adidas and RAVENOL as well as the team partners febi and MANN-FILTER, we are showing different facets of our brand world.”

Auer’s Recent Success

Lucas Auer began the 2025 season with a victory in the opening DTM race, starting from pole position and leading the entire race in his Mercedes-AMG GT3. DTM.com He is currently a Mercedes-AMG factory driver. LucasAuer.com