Constant strong performances, especially in qualifying, are the basis for Thomas Preining’s commanding half-time lead in the 2023 DTM season
Eight races, eight different winners: judging by this statistic, the 2023 DTM season is more balanced than ever before. However, a look at the championship standings shows a different picture. Here, Thomas Preining (Manthey-EMA-Porsche) already has a 28-point lead over defending champion Sheldon van der Linde (Schubert-BMW) at the halfway point of the season. Mirko Bortolotti (SSR-Lamborghini) and Ricardo Feller (Abt-Audi) are 29 points behind Preining.
“It’s a great feeling to start the second half of the season as the leader of the standings,” said a delighted Preining. “We have been very consistent since the first race and that makes the difference.” The Austrian has finished in the points in every race so far, while his closest rival van der Linde has already had to concede two zeros.
Preining has also finished on the podium once in each of the four race weekends so far – another best result. Preining’s consistency in qualifying is particularly remarkable: the Austrian has been on pole once and in second place four times in a row. That earned him eleven championship points. Here, too, his pursuers were left behind, with Sheldon van der Linde scoring eight qualifying points.
“It was important that we were strong in qualifying,” Preining analyses. “In such a tight field, it’s a decisive advantage to start the race as far in front as possible.” And even when things don’t go smoothly for Preining, the Austrian still makes the best of it.
After being blocked on his fastest lap, he only started Sunday’s race at the Nürburgring from 16th on the grid, but kept his nerve in difficult weather conditions to finish fifth. “At the Nürburgring, we then scored important championship points with a clever strategy,” says a delighted Preining.
All in all, there are many ingredients that make Preining the number one favourite for the title. “Our advantage is that we have a strong and experienced team with a great spirit,” the Austrian emphasises the part played by the Manthey-EMA team.
“In the DTM, you only have a little time between sessions to change or improve something on the car. That’s where having such a well-coordinated team is worth its weight in gold.” Despite leading the standings, Preining still sees room for improvement: “I think we can still improve in the starting phases of the races. The pit stops weren’t always perfect either, but they worked really well at the Nürburgring.
