HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY — Thomas Preining is a DTM champion once again. In a tense and thrilling season-ending showdown at the Hockenheimring, the Manthey-Porsche star delivered a measured, brilliant performance in Race 2 to clinch the 2026 DTM drivers’ championship.
While title rival Maro Engel drove a stellar race to secure victory in the final event of the year, Preining’s flawless recovery from seventh on the grid to the podium safely sealed the crown, adding a second championship to his 2023 success with the Manthey squad.
A Lightning Start and Calculated Recovery
Starting down in seventh place following a tightly contested morning qualifying session, Preining knew he needed to keep a cool head while protecting his points advantage. The Austrian driver wasted zero time on the opening lap, carving his way cleanly through the pack to rocket up into fourth place by the end of the first tour.
With Engel controlling the pace at the front in his WINWARD Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3—knowing he needed a win and outside help to steal the title—Preining focused entirely on executing his strategy. Smooth pit work from the Manthey crew and intelligent tyre management during the multi-stop phase allowed Preining to climb further up the order. In the closing stages, teammate Ricardo Feller gracefully relinquished second position to help secure the championship, allowing Preining to cross the finish line in a secure and celebratory podium spot.
Engel Takes the Final Win, Wittmann Completes the Championship Podium
Maro Engel did everything within his power to pull off an improbable championship upset, driving a flawless race to capture a well-earned victory on home soil. The Mercedes-AMG stalwart fought valiantly all weekend, ultimately securing the runner-up spot in the final 2026 championship standings.
Behind the battle for the race win, Marco Wittmann rounded out a hard-fought season by securing third place in the overall drivers’ championship, capping off a fiercely competitive year for the German manufacturer.
A Historic Milestone for Manthey
As the checkered flag dropped over the Motodrom, the Manthey EMA garage erupted in celebration. The triumph marks the third drivers’ title for the powerhouse Porsche outfit in just four years, cementing their status as a modern DTM benchmark. For Preining, the 2026 campaign will be remembered as a masterclass in consistency, pressure management, and relentless racecraft.