MUNICH, Germany — Thomas Preining (A/Manthey) secured his second DTM championship title at the season finale at the Hockenheimring, following his first in 2023.
After a nerve-wracking weekend filled with numerous battles for position and dramatic moments, the Porsche factory driver clinched the championship with a third-place finish in the final race of the season.
The 28-year-old discusses the emotions following his triumph, his development as a racing driver, and a surprising phone call from Dr. Wolfgang Porsche.
The victory podium was a special moment.
“I’ll especially never forget the scenes at the Motodrom after the race with Maro Engel and Marco Wittmann,” Preining explained. “Being cheered on by tens of thousands of people is an experience very few get to have. The relationship between Maro, Marco, and me is often portrayed in the media as more difficult than it actually is. We probably wouldn’t all go on vacation together, but we get along well and have great respect for each other. Of course, I knew that they would have preferred to be on top themselves at that moment. All the more reason for me to respect the fact that they still showed sportsmanship and congratulated me. I believe moments like these are also a good example for the next generation of racing drivers.”
Preining received a surprise congratulatory phone call.
“I received hundreds of messages. Dr. Wolfgang Porsche called me right after we won the title, even before the press conference in Hockenheim,” Preining said. “Not because I owed money on a car, but to congratulate me (laughs). He’s a huge DTM fan, and it’s always special when he gets in touch personally. We stay in contact regularly, even after tough times. For example, he had some wonderful words for us after our early exit from the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.
“I was also particularly pleased to receive messages from former DTM champions like Mattias Ekström, Timo Scheider, and René Rast.”
How has racing driver Thomas Preining developed between his first title in 2023 and his second championship?
“I think I’ve become a more complete driver. I’ve improved significantly, especially in the rain and mixed conditions,” Preining said. “My team and I have invested a lot of time in developing ourselves. I’ve also improved in the start phases of races. Of course, experience helps me now, especially in the title fight or when making difficult decisions. A good example was the chaotic Sunday race at the Sachsenring.
“In situations like that, it’s about not making mistakes, avoiding penalties, and still scoring as many points as possible. From the outside, that often looks easier than it actually is. It’s great to see that all the hard work and preparation has paid off.”
Preining says his driving style is perfect for DTM.
“The format simply suits me. I’d say I’m a strong qualifying driver. A good starting position is a huge advantage in DTM sprint races,” he said. “Add to that the many close battles for position and direct duels, which I particularly enjoy. The starts are often chaotic. You have to position yourself correctly and accurately assess when you can take which risks. That’s definitely one of my strengths now. Another important factor is the collaboration with Manthey.
“We’ve been working together for four years, constantly developing and becoming increasingly coordinated. These days, a single glance is often enough to communicate because we know each other so well. That makes many things easier.”
Preining is one of eight drivers to have won multiple DTM titles.
“This is an incredible privilege. If someone had told me 10 years ago that I would one day become DTM champion, I probably would have laughed at them,” he said. “Back then, my career was on the verge of ending. Today, I’m one of the multiple DTM champions. But I’m only 28 years old, and my DTM mission isn’t over yet. Winning a third title one day would, of course, be fantastic. I sincerely hope that Porsche, Manthey, and I can find a way for me to continue racing in the DTM in the future.”
