Thomas Preining and Ricardo Feller will spearhead Manthey’s DTM campaign in 2026. The team enters the season on the back of a triple title success in 2025. Preining continues in the No. 91 Porsche 911 GT3 R for his fourth consecutive year with the squad. He has already secured six victories and ten additional podium finishes with Manthey. Among those results stands the 2023 drivers’ title. Alongside him, Feller steps into the No. 90, adding three wins and seven podiums from four years of DTM experience. The pairing combines proven championship pedigree with established race-winning speed as Manthey prepares for another eight-round season across Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.
Arkenau highlights continuity and trust as Manthey’s key strength for the sprint season
Patrick Arkenau, Director Racing at Manthey Racing GmbH, emphasised that the team approached the new sprint season with confidence after its success in 2025. He highlighted the value of continuity with Preining, noting that four consecutive years together had created deep trust and well-rehearsed working processes that offered a clear competitive edge. now do the same here
“After our great successes in 2025, we are looking forward to the new sprint season. Thomas [Preining] will be competing with us for the fourth consecutive year, and I believe that this consistency is a significant advantage. The mutual trust that has developed because of our shared successes and experiences is very strong, and all our joint workflows are perfectly established.”
Arkenau confident in Feller addition to Preining while maintaining strong ties within the Manthey programme
Welcoming Feller’s arrival, Arkenau pointed to the Swiss driver’s extensive DTM experience and strong results in the series. After already sharing a first outing at Daytona, he expressed confidence that the partnership would gel quickly in the DTM environment. While he acknowledged that continuing unchanged with last year’s championship winning line up would have been ideal, at the same time he underlined that Ayhancan Güven and Morris Schuring remained part of the wider Manthey programme and would represent the team in WEC and IMSA competition.
“We are delighted that Ricardo [Feller] is joining the team as our second driver. He not only brings a fresh perspective, but also a wealth of DTM experience and an impressive track record in the series. We already competed in our first race together at Daytona, and I am confident that we will quickly become a well-coordinated team in the DTM as well. Of course, we would have been happy to start another sprint season with Ayhancan and Morris after winning three championship titles together in 2025. Nevertheless, I am glad that they are both staying with our team and will now be competing in the WEC and IMSA.”
Raeder proud of 2025 success as Manthey sets sights firmly on 2026
Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director of Manthey Racing GmbH, reflected with pride on what he described as an exceptional 2025 DTM campaign. Overall, seven wins, four further podium finishes and three championship titles marked a season he still found remarkable in hindsight, while he credited the collective effort behind the success.
Making clear that the team had not allowed itself to dwell on those achievements. Preparation for the new season had already been underway with the same intensity and determination. Raeder expressed enthusiasm about working with Preining and Feller, and looked ahead with curiosity to what the revised line-up could deliver for Manthey in 2026.
“2025 was an extraordinarily successful year for us in the DTM. Seven victories, four additional podium places and three championship titles – it’s still unbelievable to me what we were able to achieve as a team, and I’m incredibly proud. However, we haven’t rested on our past successes, we want to start the new season just as well prepared and motivated. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together with Thomas [Preining] and Ricardo [Feller].”
Feller calls Manthey switch a dream move ahead of his fifth DTM season
Feller described the move to Manthey as a landmark moment in his career as he prepared for his fifth DTM season. The Swiss driver underlined that remaining on the grid had been a clear priority and, in doing so, admitted that securing a seat with Manthey fulfilled a long held ambition. He also pointed to the team’s record of two titles in three recent DTM campaigns as proof of its strength, therefore suggesting that any Porsche driver would value the opportunity to race in such an environment.
Beyond the results, Feller praised the structure and professionalism within the organisation. He also highlighted the people behind the programme as a decisive factor in his move. Believing the collaboration can deliver quickly. As a result, he has set his sights on a competitive and successful 2026 campaign in the Porsche 911 GT3 R.
“I am incredibly excited to stay in the DTM, now already entering my fifth season. Joining Manthey is a dream come true for me. I believe every Porsche driver would love to race for this team and the results – two titles in three DTM seasons – speak for themselves. Beyond the sporting achievements, I am equally impressed by the team itself, the people and the professionalism that defines Manthey. I am really looking forward to working together and am confident that we will have a strong and successful season.”
Preining optimistic as long-standing Manthey partnership enters fourth DTM season
Preining welcomed the continuation of his DTM programme and prepared for his fourth consecutive season with Manthey with clear optimism. In addition, the Austrian pointed to the strength of a partnership that had deepened year by year, emphasising that shared experience had refined internal processes and strengthened cooperation across the team.
Reflecting on the past three campaigns, he noted that they had repeatedly proven capable of mounting a title challenge. Preining acknowledged that nothing in the DTM came guaranteed, yet he remained confident about Manthey’s prospects for 2026 with Feller joining the team. Stressing how much he valued both the working environment at Manthey and his place on the DTM grid. Resulting in a build up of anticipation ahead of the opening round.
“I am very happy that the DTM continues and that I am now heading into my fourth season with Manthey. Over the years, our collaboration has grown even closer, and our processes are now exceptionally well-coordinated. In the past three seasons, we’ve shown that we can consistently fight for the championship. While nothing is ever guaranteed, I am still optimistic. I really enjoy working with the team and being part of the DTM, and I’m already looking forward to the first race!”
