Race 1: Preining Dominates in the Wet
Saturday’s race at Hockenheim was defined by torrential rain and treacherous track conditions, which delayed the start and kept the Safety Car out for the opening 15 minutes. When racing finally got underway, Thomas Preining of Manthey EMA delivered a flawless performance to take victory by a commanding 16.899 seconds.
The Austrian driver managed the slippery conditions perfectly, setting the fastest lap of the race with a 1:47.592 while extending his advantage lap by lap. Ricardo Feller from Land-Motorsport came home second, while Morris Schuring secured third for Manthey Junior Team, giving Porsche a double podium.
Meanwhile, Ayhancan Güven, starting ninth, showed immense composure in the downpour. With a steady pace and smart tyre management, he climbed to fifth by the flag, ensuring a valuable haul of points that would prove crucial for Sunday’s title decider.
The race was not without drama as Jordan Pepper slid off in the early laps, while Jules Gounon and Timo Glock were both forced to retire following incidents in the challenging conditions.
Race 2: Güven Triumphs to Seal the Championship
Sunday’s finale delivered the fairytale ending for Güven. In a race packed with tension and strategy, Turkish driver Ayhancan Güven executed a perfect drive to take victory and with it, the 2025 DTM Championship.
Starting behind Marco Wittmann, who led from pole, Güven’s team opted for an early pit stop, allowing the Porsche driver to undercut his rivals and find clear air. That call proved decisive. As others pitted later, Güven emerged in front and began to pull away with a consistent pace.
A late Safety Car period, just six minutes from the end, brought the field back together but Güven remained unshaken. At the restart, he managed the pressure impeccably, keeping Wittmann and Maro Engel at bay to take the chequered flag and secure one of the most significant victories of his career.
Wittmann finished second for Schubert Motorsport after losing time during his pit exit, while Engel completed the podium with another solid drive for Mercedes-AMG. Jack Aitken of Emil Frey Racing and Jordan Pepper from TGI Team Lamborghini by GRT rounded out the top five after a closely fought midfield battle that kept the Hockenheim grandstands on edge.
The race’s key turning point came early on when title contender René Rast was eliminated following a first-lap collision, ending his championship hopes and paving the way for Güven’s historic triumph.
A Historic Moment for Türkiye and Porsche
As Güven crossed the line, scenes of celebration erupted across the circuit. Turkish flags filled the grandstands as the 27-year-old celebrated with his Manthey EMA crew, a moment that symbolised years of dedication and progress.
This championship not only marks Güven’s biggest career achievement but also represents a milestone for Turkish motorsport. For Manthey EMA and Porsche, it capped off a season of dedication and teamwork.
“This is one of those moments in life where I gave absolutely everything. Every time I went racing, I fought to win but becoming a DTM champion never felt like a realistic dream. As a kid, I never told anyone I imagined this, because it felt so far away. If someone had told me back then, ‘You’ll be a DTM champion one day,’ I would never have believed it,” said Güven after the race.
“I dedicate this championship to my family. We’ve worked so hard for this moment. I first raced when I was just five years old and now I’m 27. I’ve been racing for over twenty years, giving everything I have for my family, my country, and my fans. I never imagined that becoming champion would feel this emotional.”
Güven’s consistency, strategic brilliance, and unflappable composure across the season have cemented his place among DTM’s elite. His name now joins the illustrious list of champions and ensures that 2025 will be remembered as the year Türkiye conquered DTM.
Dive into all the drama and highlights from the weekend here.
