Double podium at Hockenheim seals Manthey’s third DTM Championship in four years
DTM, 15. + 16. Rennen Hockenheim 2026 #91 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), Manthey: Thomas Preining – picture by Gruppe C Photography
- Thomas Preining secures the 2026 DTM Drivers’ Championship following a fifth-place finish and a third-place finish in Hockenheim
- Ricardo Feller claims his third podium finish of the 2026 season with second place on Sunday
- Manthey wins the DTM Teams’ Championship for the third time in four years
Hockenheim. Manthey capped off the 2026 DTM season at the Hockenheimring by securing two championship titles. Thomas Preining (Austria), who arrived in Hockenheim as the championship leader, claimed a fifth-place finish on Saturday and third place on Sunday to secure the second DTM Drivers’ Championship of his career after his first title in 2023. Meanwhile, Ricardo Feller (Switzerland) recovered from a challenging Saturday race, in which he finished 15th, to claim second place in the season finale, making a decisive contribution to Manthey’s third Teams’ Championship since entering the sprint series with Porsche in 2023. The two championship titles, combined with the unveiling of Manthey’s two special 30th anniversary models on Friday in Hockenheim, mark the highlight of the Meuspath-based company’s 30th anniversary year to date and further underline its continued success story in international motorsport.
“What a weekend,” begins Patrick Arkenau, Director Racing at Manthey Racing GmbH. “Saturday alone was an emotional rollercoaster. In a qualifying session marked by changing conditions, we made the right tyre calls and secured third place on the grid for Thomas and fifth for Ricardo. However, the race itself did not go our way. Both cars lost several positions as a result of a highly turbulent opening lap. Ricardo’s situation was particularly difficult, as his car sustained additional damage. Having also been handed three penalty laps, he was forced to fight his way through the field from the back under extremely challenging circumstances. That makes his commitment all the more impressive. He never gave up and still managed to collect valuable championship points despite all the setbacks. Thomas was also pushed well down the order following the incidents on the opening lap. The fact that he was able to fight his way back to fifth place through a strong driving performance, excellent strategy and flawless execution by our crew was hugely important.
On Sunday, Ricardo’s second-place starting position gave us an excellent foundation for the decisive race, while Thomas had to defend his championship lead from seventh on the grid. The race then began to unfold in our favour as early as the opening lap. The battle effectively came down to Maro Engel, Thomas, Ricardo and Bastian Buus, who were separated by only a few tenths of a second at times. In a race like that, every detail matters. Our drivers delivered outstanding performances under immense pressure, while the team managed to maintain track position at the front of the field with flawless pit stops across both pit windows. Establishing ourselves in second and third place was crucial. Seeing Thomas and Ricardo cross the finish line in second and third respectively, securing both the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships, is the perfect ending to this season. I am incredibly relieved and grateful. This success is the result of an exceptional team effort from our two drivers, the entire trackside crew, our colleagues in Meuspath and all our partners who supported us throughout the season.”
Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director of Manthey Racing GmbH, added: “I am almost lost for words when it comes to describing this extraordinary achievement by the entire team. Winning both the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships for the third time in four years is an incredible accomplishment. The DTM is one of the most competitive sprint racing championships in international motorsport, which makes celebrating another double championship even more special. This success is the result of hard work, tremendous passion and the relentless commitment of every single team member. I am immensely grateful and proud that we are able to celebrate this achievement in our 30th anniversary year. Following our first championship success together in 2023, I am particularly pleased to see Thomas rewarded with another drivers’ title after delivering such consistently strong performances over the past years. Ricardo has also impressed in his first season with Manthey and made a decisive contribution to this success by scoring points in every race of the season. That is anything but a given. Winning the Teams’ Championship while also securing the Drivers’ title with Thomas is the deserved reward for an outstanding season and a success we have achieved together with our partners. Celebrating the world premiere of our 30th anniversary special models with so many guests and combining that occasion with victory in both championships was a truly unique experience.”
DTM, 15. + 16. Rennen Hockenheim 2026 #91 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), Manthey: Thomas Preining – picture by Gruppe C Photography
DTM, 15. + 16. Rennen Hockenheim 2026 #91 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), Manthey: Thomas Preining – picture by Gruppe C Photography
DTM, 15. + 16. Rennen Hockenheimring 2026 – Foto: Gruppe C Photography
DTM, 15. + 16. Rennen Hockenheim 2026 #91 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), Manthey: Thomas Preining – picture by Gruppe C Photography
DTM, 15. + 16. Rennen Hockenheim 2026 #91 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), Manthey: Thomas Preining – picture by Gruppe C Photography
DTM, 15. + 16. Rennen Hockenheim 2026 #91 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), Manthey: Thomas Preining – picture by Gruppe C Photography