DTM: Preining 2026 champion at Hockenheim, Engel wins
The newsroomUpdated on October 11, 20263 minThomas Preining (Manthey-Porsche) is 2026 DTM champion after finishing third at Hockenheim, where Maro Engel (Mercedes) won the finale ahead of Ricardo Feller.
Key point
Thomas Preining (Manthey-Porsche) wins his second DTM title, after 2023, by finishing third in the Hockenheim finale won by Maro Engel (Winward-Mercedes).
Thomas Preining (Manthey-Porsche) is the 2026 DTM champion. The Austrian secured the title by finishing third in the final race of the season at Hockenheim, won by Maro Engel (Winward-Mercedes). It is his second DTM title, after the one in 2023.
Engel wins, but it is not enough
Maro Engel took his third win of 2026 and his best DTM season, according to Motorsport-Magazin. He took the lead around lap 10 by passing Bastian Buus, who started from pole and finished fourth. Preining, who started seventh, gained ground by pitting on lap 13 with a 7.9 s stop. He crossed the line 3.6 s behind Engel, after letting team-mate Ricardo Feller through just before the finish. Engel is runner-up.
A weekend under pressure
Before the race, Thomas Preining was not on the front row: two Porsches shared the pole, according to Motorsport.com, and Marco Wittmann criticised the balance of performance (BoP). The championship leader knew that seventh place would be enough for the title. He did better, managing his race and his pit stop and finishing on the podium of the finale.
Finale top 10
- Maro Engel (Winward-Mercedes)
- Ricardo Feller (Manthey-Porsche)
- Thomas Preining (Manthey-Porsche)
- Bastian Buus (Land-Porsche)
- Ben Dörr (Dörr-McLaren)
- Matteo Cairoli (Emil-Frey-Ferrari)
- Marco Wittmann (Schubert-BMW)
- Arjun Maini (HRT-Ford)
- Marco Mapelli (Abt-Lamborghini)
- Mirko Bortolotti (Grasser-Lamborghini)
Marco Wittmann, still in the title fight before the finale, finished seventh and ends third in the championship. Jules Gounon (Winward-Mercedes) retired at the end of the first lap after contact with Thierry Vermeulen.
Manthey also win the teams' title
Manthey EMA also take the teams' title with 330 points, ahead of Winward Racing (309) and Schubert Motorsport (284). It is Manthey's third drivers' title in four years. In the manufacturers' standings Mercedes-AMG finish first, ahead of Porsche, BMW and Ferrari. Motorsport-Magazin counts 112000 spectators over the weekend.
What next
The 2027 DTM season opens on 23 to 25 April at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.
The editorial team
Frequently asked questions
Who is the 2026 DTM champion?
Thomas Preining (Manthey-Porsche), crowned at Hockenheim after finishing third in the last race. It is his second title, after 2023.
Who won the DTM finale at Hockenheim?
Maro Engel (Winward-Mercedes), ahead of Ricardo Feller (Manthey-Porsche) and Thomas Preining. Engel finishes runner-up.
When does the DTM return in 2027?
The 2027 season opens on 23 to 25 April at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.
Sources
- Motorsport-Magazin — Preining is 2026 DTM champion
- Motorsport.com — Hockenheim race 2: Engel wins, Preining takes the title
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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