Thomas Preining wins chaotic race

Manthey Porsche driver Thomas Preining clinched victory within the second race of the Norisring spherical within the 2025 DTM season.

Preining, who began from sixth on the grid, triumphed due to a flawless technique, beating Emil Frey drivers Jack Aitken and polesitter Thierry Vermeulen, who accomplished the rostrum in second and third place respectively.

The race began with a dramatic incident in Flip 1, involving Marco Wittmann’s BMW, the Lamborghinis of Mirko Bortolotti and Nicki Thiim, and Jules Gounon’s Mercedes, all of which retired, whereas Morris Schuring’s Porsche was broken. The crimson flag was waved to get better the stricken vehicles and clear particles from the monitor.

The race restarted behind the security automobile with polesitter Vermeulen sustaining the lead from Aitken and Preining, who had jumped from sixth to 3rd within the first begin.

A full-course yellow was known as by race management when Fabio Scherer (HRT Ford) suffered a free wheel; Tom Kalender slowed down to fulfill the delta time, however his Mercedes was hit from behind by Gilles Magnus’ Aston Martin, and each needed to retire.

“I wouldn’t say I braked too early – drivers simply generally don’t anticipate it,” Kalender defined to ran.de. “I noticed three or 4 seconds left on the sprint, which is regular.

“That may’ve been the standard braking level. I don’t know what the opposite driver was considering, however it occurred. You may’t simply vanish into skinny air. It was a typical racing incident.”

As soon as the race resumed, the main pack got here in for his or her first pitstops, however chief Vermeulen was overcut by Aitken and Preining.

Extra attrition occurred within the second half of the race, with Ricardo Feller rear-ending Luca Engstler when braking for the primary nook, which ended the Spa 24 Hours winner’s race whereas Feller was in a position to proceed.

On the entrance, Preining was closing in on Aitken, trailing the Ferrari driver by lower than a second. The 2023 DTM champion braked too late when he made his preliminary assault on the Dutzendteich hairpin, however then pitted one lap earlier; a swifter service from the Manthey squad put him proper on Aitken’s tail after the latter’s second pitstop. Preining shortly took the result in win by 1.5s.

“I’m clearly very blissful – this win was actually hard-fought right now,” Preining advised ran.de. “I had a incredible begin, shifting from sixth to 3rd, which is hard on the skin right here, however it labored out nicely. After that, it was a brutal battle with Jack.

“We overtook Thierry due to technique. Jack didn’t give me an inch, however I believe it was honest and nice leisure for the followers. As at all times, we had a full home right here, and it was good to ship a cool present.”

Maro Engel took fourth forward of Arjun Maini and the third Emily Frey Ferrari driver, Ben Inexperienced. Rene Rast salvaged seventh place however dropped to sixth within the drivers’ standings, nonetheless led by Lucas Auer (Landgraf Mercedes), who completed eighth.

Preining is now tied on factors with Saturday race winner Jordan Pepper, each of whom path Auer by seven factors.

The DTM will return in 5 weeks’ time on the Nurburgring, on 9-10 August.

Race 2 outcomes