Klaus Weber · DTM-Korrespondent
With two podium finishes at Manthey's home race, Thomas Preining has fought his way back into the DTM title fight. Heading into the penultimate race weekend at Sachsenring, only a single point separates him from championship leader Maro Engel.
Thomas Preining enters the penultimate race of the 2026 DTM season at Sachsenring as second in the overall standings, just one point behind Maro Engel in the Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol. The Austrian achieved this thanks to a second-place and third-place finish at his team Manthey's home event, substantially closing the gap to the championship lead in a single weekend.
Home Race as Turning Point
The racing weekend at Manthey was anything but ordinary for Preining. Racing in front of home fans, the Porsche driver delivered two consistently strong performances, second place in the first race and third in the second. For the championship, that meant a significant point gain within a single weekend.
That the home race proved to be the decisive factor is likely no coincidence. A familiar environment for both driver and team likely played a role, as did the added motivation of racing in front of the home crowd.
Consistency Over Flukes
A look at the season shows that Preining's charge is built not on a single stroke of luck, but on a series of solid results that have accumulated into a tight gap over multiple weekends. One point back from Engel with two race weekends remaining means that practically every weekend left could decide the title.
According to reports, Preining faced criticism over the course of the season following certain incidents on track. The fact that he has remained undeterred and fought his way back to the front speaks to stable form from both driver and team in these critical weeks before the season finale.
Sachsenring as the Next Test
Sachsenring is regarded within the DTM field as one of the most demanding circuits of the season, tight, twisty, and with little room for error in the pit stop window. For the title fight between Preining and Engel, that could prove decisive: whoever manages tire degradation over the race distance better secures both a psychological and sporting advantage heading into the season finale.
With just one point separating them at the top, even a small difference in grid position or pit stop timing at Sachsenring could flip the championship lead. Preining heads into this weekend carrying better momentum, but whether that's enough to permanently overtake Engel will only be decided in their direct battle on track.
