Thomas Preining heads into the final weekend of the 2026 DTM season at the Hockenheimring with a 23-point advantage in the Drivers’ Championship and the opportunity to secure his second DTM title. The Manthey Porsche driver made an encouraging start to the weekend by topping the timesheets in the opening free practice session (FP1) on Friday.
Preining, who previously claimed the DTM crown in 2023, enters the decisive weekend with valuable experience and momentum on his side. However, unpredictable weather conditions and the pressure of a closely contested championship could still play a significant role in determining the outcome. Speaking exclusively to Pit Debrief after FP1 and ahead of FP2 on Friday, Preining discussed his strong start to the weekend, his approach to the title fight, the possibility of rain and the importance of delivering a mistake-free performance.
Preining encouraged by strong FP1 performance
Preining began the weekend in Hockenheim by setting the fastest lap in FP1, providing an early indication of the pace he and Manthey could carry into the DTM season finale at the Hockenheimring. The Austrian credited the team’s preparations during the official test at Hockenheim two weeks earlier, explaining how the work helped improve both the car’s performance and his own driving.
“Very satisfied. I think the test two weeks ago was crucial. I reckon we learnt a lot from that, tried out a lot of things too, and then, of course, tried to make the most of it and put it into practice now – both in terms of my car and my driving. To put it all together into a good package. I think we’ve managed that well. The car felt good right from the start, and of course it’s nice to set the fastest time [in FP1], but I wouldn’t read too much into it just yet.”
Despite his promising start, Preining remained cautious about drawing conclusions from the opening session, with qualifying and both races still to come.
DTM Championship pressure does not change Preining’s approach at the Hockenheimring decider
Although Preining enters the finale as the championship leader, he insists that the stakes have not fundamentally changed his preparations. Rather than allowing the pressure of potentially winning a second DTM title to influence his approach, the Porsche driver intends to follow the same routine that has helped him establish his advantage throughout the season.
“My approach isn’t really any different, because at the end of the day it’s just a normal race weekend. We have to make the car as fast as possible, and I have to drive as fast as possible; in that respect, the preparation is the same as always. We try to do as well as possible in qualifying, start as far up the grid as possible and score as many points as we can. Ultimately, it’s a matter of weighing up the risks – obviously things are a bit different, but in terms of preparation, it doesn’t really make any difference.”
His focus on maximising performance while carefully assessing risks could prove particularly important as the championship battle reaches its conclusion.
Changeable weather could add another challenge
The weather could introduce further uncertainty into the title fight, with rain potentially affecting the remaining sessions and races at Hockenheim. Nevertheless, Preining believes that changing conditions should not necessarily favour one championship contender over another. Instead, he emphasised the importance of making the most of whatever conditions arise.
“I don’t think the conditions can actually influence the championship battle. At the end of the day, the weather is the same for everyone. It’s all about what you make of it. I think we’ve been successful here so far, both in wet conditions and in the rain. This year too, when it’s been wet, we’ve never had to hide. So, come what may, I’m actually confident that we’ve got everything we need to have a good weekend. But of course, we’ve got to make it happen first.”
Preining’s confidence in the team’s performance in wet conditions suggests that he does not view the possibility of rain as an additional concern, although executing the DTM weekend at the Hockenheimring successfully remains his priority.
Finding the balance between attacking and avoiding unnecessary risks
With a championship lead to protect, Preining faces the challenge of deciding when to attack and when to prioritise securing valuable points. However, the 2023 champion explained that balancing aggression with consistency has formed part of his approach since the opening race of the season, rather than becoming a consideration only during the final weekend.
“Just as difficult as ever. It’s not as if we’re suddenly competing for the championship. Ultimately, right from the first race in April, the mindset is already there that, ideally, you want to become champion. So, from the start of the season, the motto is actually not to take any silly risks. I always try to get the most out of it without any retirements or zero-point finishes. In that respect, my mindset when going head-to-head with others is actually the same as ever.”
Maintaining that consistency could be crucial at Hockenheim, where a retirement or a costly mistake could significantly alter the championship standings.
Experience and self-confidence are key to Preining’s title ambitions
Having already secured the DTM title in 2023, Preining knows what it takes to succeed in a championship-deciding weekend at the Hockenheimring. Now in his fifth DTM season, the Austrian believes that his accumulated experience has helped him approach high-pressure situations with greater confidence and composure.
“I don’t think it makes any difference. But at the end of the day, you just learn a lot. Not just from 2023. I’ve been racing in the DTM for five years now. This is the fifth time I’ve been in the title fight here. Of course, you learn a lot. It becomes routine – the first time you’re nervous. It’s no less exciting. It’s no less important. You’ve been through it all before. You’ve seen a lot more. You bring a more complete package to the final.”
Beyond his own experience, Preining highlighted the importance of trusting the people around him. With the championship still undecided, he believes that the entire team must work together to deliver a competitive and error-free weekend.
“You can actually go into it with more self-confidence because you’re well prepared for all sorts of situations. That’s actually the most important thing – self-confidence. And belief in the team, too. There are so many people working together in the team. Everyone has to do their bit so that, ultimately, we have a package that’s capable of winning. That’s actually the most important thing – that everyone has the right mindset. That everyone finds the right rhythm right from the start so they can put in a good performance over the weekend without making any mistakes.”
Preining focused on his own performance rather than title rivals
Despite having five other drivers mathematically in contention for the championship, Preining does not intend to spend the weekend monitorig their performance. Instead, he remains focused on maximising the potential of his Porsche and ensuring that he and Manthey execute their own programme as effectively as possible. With Engel and Wittmann his closest challengers, Preining’s ability to maintain that focus while the championship battle unfolds around him could prove significant.
“We’re focusing on ourselves. At the end of the day, for better or worse, we’ll see how the others [the other five championship contenders] fare on the track – that’s just how it is. But ultimately, whether they’re two tenths faster or slower, there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m concentrating on myself and on the whole team. We’re focusing on ourselves. If everyone does their job, we can have another good weekend.”
A flawless weekend could decide the DTM championship
Looking ahead to Sunday’s title decider, Preining identified the need for a complete team performance as one of the most important factors in securing the championship. While outright pace will remain essential, the Austrian also acknowledged that unpredictable weather could pace greater emphasis on strategy, tyre selection and pit stop execution.
“It’s still quite difficult to say at this stage. I think a flawless weekend will be crucial, especially if the conditions become changeable and difficult. Everyone has to play their part again. Our driving on the track has to be spot-on. The car has to be fast. And above all, if the moment comes during the race when it’s raining, what do we do? We make the decision together. We have to make the right decision at the right time – choose the right tyres and make a quick pit stop. If all that comes together, things might not look too bad.”
His comments underline how even small decisions could influence the outcome of the championship, particularly if rain forces teams to adapt their strategies during the races.
Wet or dry? Preining has no preference
Despite the uncertainity surrounding the weather forecast, Preining remains unconcerned about whether the final races take place in wet or dry conditions. Asked exclusively by Pit Debrief which conditions he would prefer, the championship leader delivered a straightforward response: “To be honest, I really don’t care.”
With a 23-point advantage and a strong opening practice session behind him, Preining enters the final two races in a favourable position. However, with five rivals still in contention and the possibility of changing weather, the Austrian knows that he and Manthey must execute the weekend without costly mistakes if they are to secure a second DTM championship title.
