The 2026 DTM season reaches its finale this weekend as the championship heads to the Hockenheimring for its last two races from 9 to 11 October. Six drivers representing five manufacturers remain in contention for the title, setting up a thrilling showdown at one of Germany’s most iconic circuits.
Thomas Preining arrives as the championship leader, but Maro Engel and Marco Wittmann remain firmly in the hunt. With 56 points still available, the battle for the drivers’ crown could go down to the final lap on Sunday. Beyond the title fight, the weekend promises special Porsche liveries, further championship deciders and a packed entertainment programme, including an appearance by the New England Patriots.
Preining leads six-way championship battle
Manthey’s Thomas Preining enters the 2026 DTM finale at the Hockenheimring in the strongest position, holding a 23-point advantage over Mercedes-AMG driver Maro Engel. The Austrian has enjoyed an impressive second half of the season, securing six consecutive podium finishes and collecting 127 points across the previous three race weekends. The 2023 DTM champion also boasts an impressive record at Hockenheim, where he has claimed three victories. Another strong weekend could see him secure his second drivers’ title.
Engel, however, will look to turn the tables. The Mercedes-AMG driver led the championship for much of the season before a difficult run of results allowed Preining to take control. Now competing in his tenth DTM campaign, Engel hopes to secure his maiden title. BMW’s Marco Wittmann sits just one point behind Engel and 24 behind Preining. The two-time champion has regained momentum with two victories in the last three races and will aim to carry that form into Hockenheim, where he has previously won four times.
Lucas Auer, Matteo Cairoli and Nicki Thiim complete the six title contenders. Although all three face significant points deficits, they remain mathematically capable of winning the championship. Each will need exceptional results and setbacks for the leading trio to have a realistic chance of claiming the crown.
DTM Drivers’ Championship standings ahead of the 2026 finale at the Hockenheimring (top 6)
- Thomas Preining – 197 points
- Maro Engel – 174 points
- Marco Wittmann – 173 points
- Lucas Auer – 152 points
- Matteo Cairoli – 150 points
- Nicki Thiim – 147 points
More championships remain undecided
While the drivers’ title takes centre stage, the teams’ and manufacturers’ championships also remain open heading into the final weekend. Manthey leads the teams’ standings by 20 points over Mercedes-AMG Team Winward Racing, with Schubert Motorsport and Emil Frey Racing also mathematically in contention. With 90 points still available, the battle remains far from settled.
Mercedes-AMG holds a commanding 68-point advantage in the manufacturers’ standings, leaving Porsche as the only remaining challenger. The Rookie of the Year competition will also reach its conclusion. Mercedes-AMG driver Tom Kalender currently leads Ford’s Finn Wiebelhaus and Aston Martin’s Nicolas Baert in the standings.
Four additional racing series will crown their champions at Hockenheim, including ADAC GT Masters, ADAC GT4 Germany, the BMW M2 Cup and Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland.
Special liveries for Preining and Feller
Porsche drivers Thomas Preining and Ricardo Feller will bring an additional visual highlight to the season finale, with both set to compete in special liveries at Hockenheim. For Preining, the unique design accompanies one of the most important weekends of his career as he attempts to secure a second DTM championship with Manthey.
Feller will also take to the circuit in a distinctive Porsche, adding to the spectacle as the field prepares for the final two races of the year. The special designs will give fans another reason to keep an eye on the Porsche entries throughout the weekend.
New England Patriots bring American football to Hockenheim
Away from the racing action, the New England Patriots will bring a taste of the NFL to the Hockenheimring as part of their Legendary Tour. The six-time Super Bowl champions will showcase their Championship Container in the DTM Fan Zone, giving visitors the opportunity to take part in several interactive activities.
Fans can test their throwing abilities in the Quarterback Challenge, take photographs in a dedicated photo booth and try their hand at cornhole on artificial turf from Gillette Stadium. The team’s mascot, Pat Patriot, will also make an appearance, adding an American football atmosphere to the German motorsport event. The Patriots’ involvement forms part of a wider entertainment programme, which also includes live music from Dick Brave on Saturday evening, a Track Safari on Friday and opportunities for fans to explore the paddock.
Hockenheim sets the stage for the final showdown
The 4.574-kilometre Hockenheimring features 17 corners and offers several opportunities for overtaking, particularly under braking into the hairpin. The circuit has already played a decisive role in previous DTM title battles, including the dramatic 2025 finale, when Ayhancan Güven secured the championship with victory in the final race.
This year’s contenders will face two final opportunities to score points, with qualifying performances, pit stop strategies and race execution all likely to influence the outcome. Saturday’s race will begin at 13:30 local time, while Sunday’s season finale starts at 16:30. Fans can follow both races live on ProSieben and through the championship’s streaming platforms.
With six drivers still dreaming of championship glory and several titles yet to be decided, Hockenheim promises a fitting conclusion to the 2026 DTM season.
