The 2012 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters was the twenty-sixth season of premier German touring car championship and also thirteenth season under the moniker of Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters since the series' resumption in 2000. New regulations applied for the 2012 season (see below). BMW returned to the championship for the first time since 1994. As of 2020, it was also the last time non-European driver to won the DTM title to date. It was a triumphant return for BMW after returning from 18 years absence, and a dismal year for Mercedes-Benz AMG only rescued by early three official victories courtesy of Gary Paffett in Hockenheimring and Brands Hatch twice and Jamie Green in Norisring only (with an exception of Ralf Schumacher and Jamie Green in Showevent Olympiastadion München relay races respectively because of exhibition event). Calendar An eleven-round calendar was announced on 11 November, including the non-championship event in Munich. Teams and drivers The following manufacturers, teams and drivers competed in the 2012 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. All teams competed with tyres supplied by Hankook. Driver changes Changed Teams 2011 champion Martin Tomczyk left Team Phoenix and Audi to join Team RMG, one of the three teams running BMW machinery. 2011 runner-up Bruno Spengler left Mercedes' HWA Team and also joined BMW with Team Schnitzer. Rahel Frey left Team Phoenix to join Abt Sportsline, with Mike Rockenfeller and Miguel Molina moving over from Abt to fill the seats at Team Phoenix. Christian Vietoris switched from Persson Motorsport to HWA Team. Entering DTM Long-time BMW factory drivers Augusto Farfus, Joey Hand, Andy Priaulx and Dirk Werner made their début in the series with BMW. Farfus and Priaulx are driving for Team RBM, Hand for Team RMG and Werner with Team Schnitzer. Formula 3 Euro Series champion Roberto Merhi and Formula Renault 3.5 Series champion Robert Wickens joined Mercedes teams Persson Motorsport and Mücke Motorsport respectively. After competing in Auto GP, French driver Adrien Tambay joined Abt Sportsline for his debut in the series. Leaving DTM Maro Engel left the series. Oliver Jarvis was promoted to the Audi LMP1 sportscar squad and the FIA GT1 World Championship with Team WRT, and was replaced by Adrien Tambay. Renger van der Zande left the DTM series. Rule changes Sporting The points system for the 2012 season was changed to reflect the system used by the FIA for world championships. The top ten drivers in each race are