The 2004 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters was the eighteenth season of premier German touring car championship and also fifth season under the moniker of Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters since the series' resumption in 2000. There were 10 championship race weekend with one round each, plus a non-championship round at the streets of Shanghai. Originally each track hosted one race each with the exception of Hockenheimring (two races, premier and finale). Each track hosted one race, with the exception of Hockenheim, which hosted two. As in 2003 each weekend compromised one race of circa one hour and with two compulsory pit stops for each contender.

Changes for 2004

Teams and drivers

The following manufacturers, teams and drivers competed in the championship rounds of the 2004 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. All teams competed with tyres supplied by Dunlop.

Team changes

Team Joest returned to the DTM for the first time since 1996. Abt Sportsline Junior Team was discontinued. Persson Motorsport downscaled to two cars. Team Holzer and Team Phoenix increased their car count to three cars each. Euroteam downscaled to a one car team.

Driver changes

Gary Paffett was promoted from Team Rosberg to HWA Team to replace Marcel Fässler who joined Opel Team Phoenix. Thomas Jäger left DTM to race in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring with Recaro-Raeder-Motorsport. Katsutomo Kaneishi left the DTM to return to the JGTC with ARTA. Bernd Mayländer and Stefan Mücke swapped seats between Persson Motorsport and Team Rosberg. Markus Winkelhock joined the DTM after finishing 4th in the Formula 3 Euro Series. Formula 3000 driver Jarek Janiš joined the DTM with Team Rosberg. Laurent Aïello left Audi to join Opel Team Phoenix. Karl Wendlinger left the DTM to join the FIA GT Championship with JMB Racing. 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen joined Abt Sportsline alongside his Endurance racing commitments. Martin Tomczyk was promoted to Abt Sportsline from their junior team. 1991 DTM champion Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro returned to the DTM for the first time since 1992 with Team Joest. Peter Terting was left without a drive after the withdrawal of the Abt Sportsline Junior Team. Alain Menu left the DTM to focus on Endurance racing Three time F1 race winner Heinz-Harald Frentzen joined the DTM with Opel Team Holzer after 10 seasons in F1. Joachim Winkelhock retired from the DTM after 2003.

Mid season changes

The Opels of Laurent Aïello, Peter Dumbreck and Manuel Reuter were unable to enter the Non Championship race in Shanghai. To compensate, Team Joest entered a third Audi A4 for Rinaldo Capello and Abt Sportsline entered an Audi TT for Peter Terting. Euroteam ran an Opel Vectra at Zandvoort for Jeroen Bleekemolens home race.

Race calendar and winners

Championship standings

Scoring system

Points are awarded to the top 8 classified finishers.

Drivers' championship

† Driver retired, but was classified as they completed 90% of the winner's race distance. ‡ Non Championship Round

Teams' championship

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Manufacturers' championship