If you caught a glimpse of the DTM cars during pre-season testing at Spielberg in April, you might have noticed something new: a white, U-shaped piece mounted on the roof. By the time the season opener rolled around at the Red Bull Ring last month, every car on the grid was sporting one, complete with a cable snaking into the cockpit. It's not just a quirky design choice—it's a game-changer for how we watch the action.

This season marks the first time DTM cars are equipped with onboard antennas capable of transmitting data at 5G speed. For context, 5G is the latest and most advanced wireless standard, allowing massive amounts of data to be sent in real time with virtually no lag. That means the high-speed, high-stakes drama inside the cockpit can now be streamed live with crystal-clear clarity.

Placed strategically on the roof to avoid interference from other radio signals, each antenna packs an integrated router. It connects to access points around the circuit, creating a dedicated wireless network that beams onboard camera footage straight to broadcasters. Supplied by tech partner Riedel, the system isn't exclusive to DTM—it's also rolling out in the ADAC GT Masters and GT4 Germany championships starting in 2026.

Here's a cool twist: not every car carries a live camera yet. Some run dummy units just to balance the weight across the field. But the long-term goal is ambitious—organizers want every single car, not just the current one-third of the grid, to feature onboard cameras for live TV coverage. That would bring fans closer to the action than ever before.

Previously, onboard footage relied on conventional signal tech, boosted by a fiber-optic network around the track to relay video back to broadcast trucks. The shift to 5G is a massive leap forward, promising smoother, more immersive broadcasts.

If you're eagle-eyed, you might notice the antennas have been moving around. Between the pre-season test and the opening race weekend, their position shifted on several cars. Some teams even painted them in their colors—a move by DTM organizers to make the devices less visually intrusive after initial feedback. On the Mercedes-AMG GT3, for example, the unit was mounted toward the front of the roof during testing, then relocated for the race.

Teams also need to keep the antenna's cooling duct clear—a small but crucial detail for performance. As this 5G rollout accelerates, expect the white U-shaped piece to become as iconic as the roar of the engines themselves. For fans and gearheads alike, it's a sign that DTM is racing into a faster, more connected future.