Always a clear goal in sight.
Motorsport driver with a passion: As a child, Thomas Preining already got a whiff of motorsport air due to his father participating in motorbike sport in the 1990ies. Thomas's own career began like that of so many other motorsport drivers in karting.
The Austrian steered his first kart at the age of seven during a holiday on Mallorca. Since then, the enthusiasm for the racetrack has not let him go. Confident and with nerves of steel – that defines him to this day. And that is how he won the junior Kart championship five times in his youth until he entered Formula 4 in 2015.
A year later, Thomas participated in the Porsche Motorsport Junior Shoot-out – and prevailed against over a hundred young talents. A steep career rise began: Directly in his first year as Porsche Junior Driver 2017, he took the second place of the Rookie Classification in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany. In the same year, he drove the fastest lap in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany and took the first place on the podium.
First DTM victory ever.
Since 2022, he races in the DTM. Not only a grand start for him, but a full success for Porsche as well. Because his victory on the Norisring was the first DTM triumph for Porsche. And it almost seems like the Norisring is due to become a very special track for the well-trained fitness and karting fan. Even a year later, in the summer of 2023, the 25-year-old steered his Porsche 911 GT3 R #9 effortlessly across the finish line and took the top of the podium. Strong-willed with an outstanding driving technique and clear focus for the next race: That is how Thomas wants to continue in the DTM and break new records.
Career highlights
Explore the driver's triumphs and unforgettable racing moments.
| Season | Series | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) | 3rd spot race 2 Oschersleben & race 2 Zandvoort, 4th spot race 1 Oschersleben |
| Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) | GT3 class: 1st spot Adenauer ADAC Rundstrecken-Trophy, 3rd spot ADAC Westfalenfahrt | |
| 2024 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) | 5th spot in the drivers´ championship with a victory, one podium and one pole position |
| Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) | GT3 class: 2nd spot 24h Nürburgring overall and two podiums | |
| 2023 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) | 1st spot in the drivers, team & manufacturers championship with three victories, five podiums and four pole positions |
| Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) | ||
| GT World Challenge Europe Endurance | One podium | |
| 12h Bathurst | Pro class: 2nd spot | |
| 2022 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) | 5th spot of the drivers´ championship with two victories and two podiums |
| 2021 | ADAC GT Masters | 13th spot in the drivers´ championship with two 3rd spots |
| 2020 | Porsche Formula E Simulator & Test Driver | |
| GT World Challenge Europe Endurance | 8th spot in the team championship with two 2nd spots and one 3rd spot | |
| 2019 | ADAC GT Masters | 13th spot in the drivers´championship with one victory |
| 2018 | Porsche Junior | |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland | 1st spot in the drivers´ championship with ten victories and two 2nd spots | |
| Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup | 3rd spot of the drivers´ championship with four victories and one 3rd spot | |
| 2017 | Porsche Junior | |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland | 2nd spot of the rookie classifiaction | |
| 2016-2015 | Formula 4 Championship Germany & Italy | |
| 2014-2011 | Several carting Championships on international level |
