Electric Cars

In a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 DTM season at Hockenheim, Thomas Preining of Manthey Porsche has once again been crowned champion, marking his second career title. This achievement came despite Maro Engel, driving for Winward Mercedes, securing a victory in the final race. Preining's calculated third-place finish was sufficient to seal the championship, a result he described as a relief after a tense day.

The race itself saw Engel execute a masterful performance, battling fiercely for the lead. He overtook pole-sitter Bastian Buus (Land Porsche) with a bold move, ultimately maintaining his advantage. Meanwhile, Preining, starting from seventh, made significant early gains, positioning himself comfortably within the top contenders. His team-mate, Ricardo Feller, further supported Preining's title bid by finishing second, having allowed the champion-elect to pass him in the closing stages. Other notable finishers included Buus in fourth and Ben Dorr (Dorr McLaren) in fifth, while title hopeful Marco Wittmann finished further down the order, acknowledging the dominant performance of Preining's team.

The strategic decisions and exceptional driving from both Preining and his Manthey Porsche team were pivotal throughout the season. Their consistent performance culminated in not only the drivers' championship but also the teams' championship. While Mercedes-AMG claimed the manufacturers' title, the individual and team successes of Manthey Porsche underscored their excellence. As the DTM now enters its winter break, anticipation builds for the 2027 season opener at the Red-Bull-Ring in Austria.

The pursuit of excellence in motorsport, much like in life, often involves navigating intense pressure and making strategic choices. Preining's victory exemplifies how perseverance and a strong team can lead to triumph, even when facing formidable opponents. It's a reminder that success is not merely about individual glory, but also about the collective effort and unwavering dedication to one's craft.

In a dramatic conclusion to the British Touring Car Championship season at Brands Hatch, Dan Cammish emerged victorious after Ricky Collard, who initially crossed the finish line first, received a post-race penalty. This unexpected turn of events saw Cammish inherit the top spot in a race marred by incidents and regulatory decisions, particularly regarding safety car protocols. The penalty issued to Collard underscored the strict adherence to racing rules, reshaping the final standings of the fiercely contested season finale.

The pivotal moment occurred when Ricky Collard, driving for Excelr8 Motorsport, was deemed to have infringed upon the safety-car restart regulations. His Hyundai i30 N Fastback, which had led the field across the finish line, was subsequently demoted, elevating Cammish to first place. This decision was consistent with previous infractions of the same rule, highlighting the officials' commitment to maintaining fairness and safety during race restarts. The penalty dealt a blow to Collard's team, already reeling from an earlier unfortunate incident.

Earlier in the race, a significant multi-car collision cast a shadow over the Excelr8 garage. Reigning champion Tom Ingram, who had dominated the day's preceding two races, was involved in a substantial crash alongside his teammate Tom Chilton. The incident, which also involved Sam Osborne's NAPA Ford Focus Titanium, saw Ingram’s car careen into the barriers. Ingram was later transported to the hospital for a CT scan, raising concerns about his condition. Chilton, participating in his final BTCC event, also ended up in the gravel, making a theatrical bow to the spectators as he exited his vehicle.

The safety car was deployed twice during the race. The second deployment, triggered by Dan Rowbottom's Power Maxed Racing Audi pulling off track with brake issues, set the stage for the contentious restart. It was during this restart sequence that Collard committed the violations, specifically failing to maintain the approximate speed of the safety car once its lights were extinguished, accelerating prematurely, and not resuming racing speed smoothly. These actions led to a five-second penalty, which ultimately cost him the victory and dropped him to eighth position.

Meanwhile, Ash Sutton, despite sustaining damage in an earlier collision with Cammish, demonstrated remarkable recovery. He moved up the field, eventually challenging Collard for the lead. During a crucial moment, Sutton attempted an overtake on Collard, leading to a near-miss where Sutton’s car was forced onto the grass, passing through a KwikFit board before briefly taking the lead. However, this maneuver landed him in the gravel, pushing him back to ninth. Despite Sutton's valiant efforts, Cammish, utilizing his final TOCA Turbo Boost, managed to secure second place on the road, which translated into victory after Collard's penalty. Dexter Patterson and Aiden Moffat, both driving PMR Audis, were promoted to third and fourth, respectively, following the revised standings.

The Brands Hatch finale delivered a tumultuous and memorable end to the season, characterized by fierce competition, unexpected penalties, and high-stakes drama. The race showcased the unpredictable nature of touring car racing, where a single rule infringement can drastically alter the outcome. Cammish's inherited win, coupled with the dramatic incidents involving Ingram and Chilton, left a lasting impression on fans and competitors alike.