The 2025 DTM season ended in Hockenheim with one of the most exciting title fights in recent years. Ayhancan Güven crowned himself the new champion in the Manthey Porsche. The 27-year-old Turk prevailed against Marco Wittmann in a thrilling finale and wrote motorsport history.
In the final race of the season, Wittmann led for a long time in the BMW. But Güven remained persistent and seized his opportunity on the final lap. In the famous Sachs curve, he pulled ahead with a daring maneuver and reached the finish line with an advantage of just 0.169 seconds. This moment decided not only the race, but the entire championship.
For Güven, this triumph is of special significance. He is the first Turkish driver to win the DTM championship. At the same time, he brings Porsche its first drivers' title since Thomas Preining in 2023. His season was characterized by consistency and mental strength. With five wins and multiple podium finishes, he proved that he is one of the most complete drivers in the series.
The duel between Güven and Wittmann dominated the weekend's headlines. Wittmann put in a strong performance, but narrowly missed out on victory in the end. The BMW driver was visibly disappointed, but praised the fair fight after the race. „It was a great duel. Ayhancan earned the title,“ Wittmann said on the DTM broadcast microphone.
Rene Rast, who had entered the finale as one of the title favorites, had to bury his hopes early on. An accident in the early stages ended his race prematurely and shattered his chances of a fourth DTM title. Other top drivers such as Ricardo Feller and Mirko Bortolotti were also unable to intervene in the title fight.
For Manthey Racing, the success is also a milestone. The team from Meuspath has continuously invested in building its DTM program over the past few years. Winning the title highlights the strong teamwork and technical expertise behind the success.
In the manufacturers„ championship, Mercedes scored the most points, but the focus of the weekend was clearly on Güven and his triumph. The new champion celebrated exuberantly with his team and fans. “I can hardly believe it. This title means everything to me," he said after crossing the finish line.
With this success, Güven moves definitively into the spotlight of international motorsports. There is already speculation as to whether he will return in 2026 to defend his title or take the next step in his career. One thing is certain: the DTM has gained a new fan favorite in him.
The 2025 Hockenheim finale will be remembered as one of the most exciting in modern DTM history. It showed how close and unpredictable the fight for the title can be when talent, courage, and strategy collide.