DTM finale: New champion to be crowned in the Hockenheim Motodrom

• The hunted: Preining holds a 23-point lead and is favourite for the title
• The closest rivals: Engel and Wittmann switch to attack mode
• The show: Sasha rocks the DTM Powerstage as Dick Brave on Saturday evening

Munich. The final act of the 2026 DTM title race: from 9th to 11th October, the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg will provide the stage for the title decider. Six drivers, at the wheel of cars from five manufacturers, will battle it out for the DTM crown at the iconic circuit. In pole position is championship leader Thomas Preining (A/Manthey). The Porsche works driver travels to the finale with a 23-point lead, as he looks to be crowned champion for the second time. Hot on his heels are Maro Engel (Monaco/Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol) and Marco Wittmann (Fürth/Schubert Motorsport). With 56 points still up for grabs, they will still fancy their chances of clinching the title. Lucas Auer (A/Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf), Matteo Cairoli (I/Emil Frey Racing) and Nicki Thiim (DK/Comtoyou Racing) can also dream of ending the season on top of the table. However, this trio would need a perfect weekend and for their rivals to slip up. Sasha, in his alter ego Dick Brave, will ensure everyone is in the mood for the showdown on Saturday evening.

Tickets for the DTM finale in Hockenheim start at € 49 and are available at dtm.com. Admission is free for under 16s when accompanied by an adult. ProSieben is showing the races live on free-to-air TV, starting at 13:30 on Saturday and 16:30 on Sunday. The two races will also be streamed live on Joyn, ran.de, ServusTV On and the DTM YouTube channel.

Key facts, Hockenheimring, Hockenheim, races 15 and 16 of 16

• Circuit length: 4,574 metres
• Layout: 17 corners (eleven right, six left), driven clockwise
• 2025 winner, race 1: Thomas Preining (Manthey EMA, Porsche 911 GT3 R)
• 2025 winner, race 2: Ayhancan Güven (Manthey EMA, Porsche 911 GT3 R)

Engel and Wittmann in the slipstream: Can Preining keep his nerve?
28-year-old Preining's form in the second half of the season has been worthy of a champion. Six times in a row he has made it onto the podium, and the Porsche driver has started from the front row of the grid on five occasions. On the back of this impressive run, the Austrian is favourite for the title - even more so, given the fact that he already has three race wins to his name in Hockenheim. However, the role of favourite brings with it extra pressure - for him and his Manthey team. Despite this, Preining appears relaxed about the situation: "If you want to be champion, then that always comes with pressure. However, we have worked hard to be in this situation and know how to deal with it. Nothing is decided yet, even if I am well positioned with a 23-point lead."

Engel has had a very contrasting season to that of the championship leader. After an impressive first half, in which the Mercedes-AMG driver looked imperious at times, he has shown some nerves of late. Twice he has failed to score points, resulting in Preining replacing him at the top of the table. Engel needs to switch to attack mode in Hockenheim, if he is to have any chance of ending a successful year with his first DTM title. "It feels good to be involved in the title race in Hockenheim for the third time in a row. I like these big moments and am good at dealing with the pressure. Our whole team is ready for the finale," says Engel.

BMW driver Wittmann has his sights set on a third DTM title. A dramatic recent improvement in form has seen him win two of the past three races. As such, the signs are good that Wittmann can overturn the 24-point deficit and catch Preining on the finish straight. "We are in the role of the hunter and have nothing to lose. We can only win. I have to finish ahead of Thomas Preining on Saturday, then it will be all to play for in the final race on Sunday," says the 36-year-old, who has tasted success in Hockenheim on four occasions in the past. Mercedes-AMG driver Auer, Ferrari racer Cairoli, and Thiim in the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 have outside chances coming into the finale: currently 45, 47 and 50 points behind Preining, they will be dependent upon the opposition making mistakes.

Hard-fought Team Championship, Kalender leads "Rookie of the Year" competition
There are still 90 points to be won in the Team and Manufacturer competitions. The Team Championship is headed for a dramatic conclusion: Manthey holds a 20-point lead over Mercedes-AMG Team Winward Racing. They are followed in third place, 13 points back, by Schubert Motorsport. Emil Frey Racing in fourth place are also still within striking distance. In the Manufacturer competition, leaders Mercedes-AMG have a comfortable 68-point advantage. Only Porsche could still pose a threat to the brand with the star logo. In the "Rookie of the Year" standings, Tom Kalender (Hamm/Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf) leads the way. Finn Wiebelhaus (Obertshausen/HRT Ford Racing) and Nicolas Baert (B/Comtoyou Racing) are second and third.

Rock ’n’ roll with "Dick Brave", Track Safari, and four more titles on the line
DTM ticket holders will be treated to a free live concert on Saturday evening: Dick Brave, the alter ego of entertainer Sasha, will take to the "DTM Powerstage presented by Pirelli", where he will warm the crowd up with some top-class rock 'n' roll and rockabilly. Friday will be fans' final opportunity of the year to take to the Hockenheimring track alongside the DTM cars in the Track Safari buses. As well as the DTM, titles will also be decided in a further four series at the circuit near Mannheim: new champions will be crowned in the ADAC GT Masters, ADAC GT4 Germany, the BMW M2 Cup, and the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland.