Thomas Preining: “My DTM mission isn’t over yet”

Two DTM titles in four years: Thomas Preining claimed the DTM crown for the second time since 2023 at the season finale at the Hockenheimring. Following a nerve-wracking weekend featuring numerous battles for position and dramatic moments, the Porsche works driver sealed the championship with a third-place finish in the final race of the season. In this interview, the 28-year-old talks about his emotions following his triumph, his development as a racing driver and a surprise phone call from Dr Wolfgang Porsche.

You’d set out to savour your second DTM title more fully. How well did that go?

“Above all, I’ll never forget the scenes at the Motodrom after the race with Maro Engel and Marco Wittmann. Being cheered on by tens of thousands of people is an experience that very few people ever get to have. The relationship between Maro, Marco and me is often portrayed in the media as being more difficult than it actually is. We probably wouldn’t all go on holiday together, but we get on well and have great respect for one another. Of course, I realised that at that moment, both of them would have preferred to be standing at the top themselves. That’s why I respect them all the more for showing good sportsmanship and congratulating me anyway. I believe moments like these also set a good example for the next generation of racing drivers.”

How did the helmet swap with Marco Wittmann come about after winning the title?

“Collecting helmets is a passion of mine. It’s naturally a bit more expensive than when footballers swap their shirts. But mementos like that are timeless. When you look back at your collection many years from now, you’ll remember the good and bad moments with your rivals. When Marco Wittmann won his first DTM title in 2014, I was still racing karts myself. To become champion twelve years later against him – one of my biggest rivals – and then to swap helmets with him and earn his respect is incredible. Drivers like Marco Wittmann and René Rast used to be great role models for me. They’ve achieved exactly what I used to dream of back then.”

Which congratulations on winning the title pleased you the most?

“I’ve received hundreds of messages. Dr Wolfgang Porsche rang me straight after I won the title, even before the press conference at Hockenheim. Not because I’m in debt over a car, but to congratulate me (laughs). He’s a huge DTM fan and it’s obviously something special when he gets in touch personally. We’re always in touch, even after difficult times. For example, he had some great words for me after our early retirement from the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. I was also particularly pleased to receive messages from former DTM champions such as Mattias Ekström, Timo Scheider and René Rast.”

Saturday’s race at Hockenheim was particularly eventful. After the start, you briefly went off the track and lost a lot of places. What goes through your mind in situations like that?

“Actually, the plan was to stay out of as many battles as possible and keep a safe distance from the other cars. Nevertheless, I had several collisions in the first two laps. On the one hand, I wanted to take as few risks as possible; on the other, I knew I had to finish up front and couldn’t afford to cross the line in 13th place. It was a difficult situation. On top of that, as it was the season finale, everyone wanted to end the season with a good result, so everyone was driving a bit more aggressively. The red flag helped me to hit the reset button in my head. Basically, though, it’s part of my job as a racing driver to put such situations behind me quickly and make the right decisions under pressure.”

How did you feel going into Sunday’s decisive race after these experiences?

“The whole weekend was incredibly intense. On Saturday, it struck me once again that your race can be over in a single second due to a moment’s inattention. On Sunday, I started the race from seventh on the grid. An incredible amount can happen around you that you have no control over. You run through countless scenarios in your head – everything that could go wrong and where it might get dangerous. That’s mentally much more draining than simply driving flat out and aiming to win. So I’m all the happier that we managed it in the end.”

How has the racing driver Thomas Preining developed between his first title in 2023 and his second championship?

“I think I’ve become a more complete rider. I’ve improved significantly, particularly in the rain and in mixed conditions. My team and I have invested a great deal of time in developing our skills. I’ve also improved in the early stages of races. Of course, my experience now helps me too, especially in the title fight or when making difficult decisions. A good example was the chaotic Sunday race at the Sachsenring. In situations like that, it’s all about not making any mistakes, avoiding penalties and still picking up as many points as possible. That often looks easier from the outside than it actually is. It’s great to see that all the hard work and preparation have paid off.”

You’ve finished all five of your DTM seasons in the top five of the championship. Why does the DTM suit you so well?

“The format simply suits me. I’d say I’m a strong qualifier. A good starting position is a huge advantage in the DTM sprint races. On top of that, there are the many close battles for position and direct duels, which I’m particularly good at. Things often get quite hectic at the start. You have to position yourself correctly and judge exactly when you can take which risks. That’s definitely become one of my strengths now. Another important factor is the partnership with Manthey. We’ve been working together for four years, constantly developing and becoming increasingly in sync. When it comes to communication, a glance is often enough these days because we know each other so well. That makes a lot of things easier.”

Apart from you, only seven other drivers have won the DTM title at least twice. How does that feel?

“It’s an incredible privilege. If someone had told me ten years ago that I’d one day become DTM champion, I’d probably have laughed at them. Back then, my career was on the brink of collapse. Today, I’m one of the multiple DTM champions. But I’m only 28 years old and my DTM mission isn’t over yet. Winning a third title one day would, of course, be brilliant. I very much hope that Porsche, Manthey and I can find a way together to ensure I can continue racing in the DTM in the future.»

The ADAC has revamped its young talent development programme with the ‘Road to DTM’. How important is it to nurture young talent in motor racing?

“Supporting young talent is immensely important, not just in motor sport. But in such an expensive sport in particular, it’s absolutely essential. At a certain point, you often can’t take the next step in your career on your own financial resources. As a result, many talented drivers are unfortunately lost. It would almost have turned out the same way for me. Thanks to the support of the Lechner family and the Porsche Junior Programme, my career was given a second chance. That’s why I think the ‘Road to DTM’ is a brilliant idea, one that will enable the ADAC to promote its youth development programme even more effectively.”