Porsche ace Thomas Preining: “A huge task lies ahead of us!”

• Tension mounts ahead of the 2026 DTM season finale at Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg from 9 to 11 October
• Thomas Preining (Porsche), Maro Engel (Mercedes-AMG) and Marco Wittmann (BMW) have the best chances of taking the DTM crown
• Fans will be right in the thick of the action at Sunday’s championship celebrations; the titles in the support series will also be decided at Hockenheim

Two former champions and a seasoned campaigner are the protagonists in this season’s DTM title fight. While six drivers still have a mathematical chance of securing the championship, Thomas Preining (Manthey Racing / Porsche 911 GT3 R), Maro Engel (Mercedes-AMG Team Winward / Mercedes-AMG GT3) and Marco Wittmann (Schubert Motorsport / BMW M4 GT3) have the strongest chances of fighting it out for the title. Preining, in particular, heads into the finale in a strong position.

After a strong start to the season, the following race weekends proved rather difficult for the 2023 DTM champion. But the Porsche driver really hit his stride in the second half of the campaign. In the last six races, the Austrian has finished on the podium every time, started from the front row on four occasions and scored 137 of a possible 168 points. With his direct rivals struggling by comparison, the Manthey driver heads to the season finale at Hockenheim with a 23-point lead. Case closed, you might think.

“Thinking like that would be dangerous,” warns Thomas Preining. “We’ve seen how quickly 20 points or more can disappear in the DTM. One small mistake and the lead is gone. We have to be 100 per cent focused and get the maximum out of our package – just as we do every weekend. The last few races have gone well, but we’ve also made the most of every opportunity throughout the rest of the season. That’s the DTM. The field is incredibly tight. Sometimes it’s enough for the very front, sometimes only for the midfield. So our approach to the finale doesn’t change. Everything has to come together, starting with qualifying. Being able to run at the front certainly makes life easier. I’ve had the chance to win the title at Hockenheim several times before, and I also know what it’s like to go home without the trophy. So we’re certainly not thinking that it’s all over. We’re thinking that a huge task lies ahead of us.”

“Generally speaking, Hockenheimring is a circuit that suits the Porsche quite well. We’ve enjoyed a lot of success there in the past. But Mercedes and BMW have always been very competitive there too, so I expect it to be very evenly matched again. I like the circuit. It’s fun to drive and requires a good rhythm. I’ve enjoyed some of my biggest successes there, winning a lot of races and taking the titles in the Porsche Carrera Cup and the DTM. It’s always nice to look back on those memories, and it’s always great to come back to Hockenheim because, of course, you have that feeling in the back of your mind that things have gone pretty well here before. Hopefully, we can add another positive memory soon.”

Maro Engel is a prime example of how quickly the picture can change in the DTM. Having started the second half of the season as championship leader, the Mercedes-AMG driver scored just 14 points at the Nürburgring and Sachsenring and now faces a major challenge. “It’s not difficult for me to draw a line under the two unfortunate race weekends,” says the experienced campaigner. “What happened in the past is in the past and can’t be changed. Our focus is on what lies ahead, and we’re looking forward to the finale. Of course, it’s a special race weekend, and you can feel that in many areas. But that’s actually something we don’t want to focus on. We want to concentrate on doing our job properly and enjoying ourselves. We’re enjoying being involved in the title fight for the third consecutive year. Naturally, the aim is to be running at the front in both races. Then, at the end, we can look at the points.”

“Hockenheim is always something special,” says Maro Engel. “As long as I can remember, the Grand Prix circuit has almost always hosted the DTM finale. The crowds, the atmosphere and the support from the fans make this place a symbol of the series. The DTM and Hockenheim simply belong together!”

Just one point behind Engel is Marco Wittmann, who has also hit top form in recent weeks. The Franconian driver scored 79 points over the last two race weekends – more than anyone else in the field. “I think we’re in a good position,” says the two-time DTM champion. “Of course, we have a big deficit to make up. But we’ve been strong over the last few race weekends – even stronger than we expected ourselves. I wouldn’t say that puts us in the favourites’ role, but we’re in a good position as the chasers. The key at the finale will be to put together a mistake-free weekend. We have to try to reduce the gap to Thomas in the first race, and then anything is possible on Sunday. We saw last year at Hockenheim just how crazy a DTM finale can be.”

The BMW driver is also a fan of Hockenheimring: “I like the circuit. I’ve won a lot of races there or finished on the podium. So I’m feeling confident and looking forward to the weekend. I’m hoping for a cool, fair finale – and who knows what might still be possible. We’ve made up a lot of points recently and were strong at the Nürburgring and Sachsenring. Everything that comes now is the icing on the cake for me.”

The title could potentially be decided in perfect dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon, right at the end of the race weekend. The second race will get underway at the unusual time of 4.30pm. Once the chequered flag has fallen, the start-finish area will be opened so that fans can experience the winners’ and championship ceremonies at close quarters.

Titles still up for grabs in the support series

The DTM showdown is not the only source of drama in and around the Hockenheim Motodrom. The support programme also has plenty to offer. Champions will be crowned only at the finale in the ADAC GT Masters, ADAC GT4 Germany, Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland and the new BMW M2 Cup.

And for anyone needing a short break from the on-track action, the DTM Fan Zone offers a varied entertainment programme featuring interviews, shows, music, autograph sessions and much more. The youngest fans usually make a beeline for the ball pit.

Ticket prices are also attractive as ever. Anyone who wants to get a taste of the action on Friday can do so for €15 (adults). Day tickets for Saturday and Sunday, including paddock access, start at €49, while the cheapest weekend ticket is available from just €69. Tickets are available via the official website www.dtm.com.

Photo: © Gruppe C Photography // ADAC Motorsport