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The newly crowned 2025 DTM champion reveals why this title is a dream come true for him, what impact it could have on motorsport in his native Turkey, and what advice he would like to give to young talents.
Ayhancan, after winning the title, you said it was a dream come true, one you had been pursuing since you started motorsport at the age of five. How do you rank the DTM in comparison with other international racing series?
Ayhancan Güven: Yes, becoming DTM champion has undoubtedly always been one of my biggest dreams – the DTM is very important to me. In sports car racing, it is perhaps the most important title for us drivers because it is the only GT3 series in which we sit alone in the car and compete against strong opposition. The sprint format also makes the DTM something special. For me as a participant, this title is one of the top five worldwide, including those in formula racing.
What does it mean to you to be the first Turkish driver ever to win a DTM race and then also to be the first Turkish champion in the more than 40-year history of this series?
Güven: A lot. I always try to represent my country well. I’ve had to overcome many obstacles in the course of my career. My successes could make things a little easier for the next generation of Turkish racing drivers.
What influence does your success have on Turkish motorsport in general?
Güven: A big influence. It wasn’t just motorsport fans who noticed my DTM title win: it was the topic of conversation in all the news programmes in Turkey for five days. Now even more of my compatriots will be interested in racing. This success has enabled us to reach a new audience. People in Turkey now know what the DTM is – and that I won it.
With seven first places, Porsche and Manthey were the most successful combination in the 2025 DTM season. You won five times, your teammate Thomas Preining twice. What is the key to success?
Güven: First and foremost, it’s all about hard work: regardless of the circumstances, we were able to get the most out of the Porsche 911 GT3 R every time. We won in the rain as well as in changeable conditions and other difficult circumstances. Racing strategy and pit stops are among our team’s absolute strengths, and we were able to use them to our advantage time and time again.
How much support do you get from your family, and how important is that to you?
Güven: My family has been incredibly supportive from day one. We have all worked towards making my dream come true. This solidarity has helped me enormously. My success allows me to give back a lot for the many sacrifices my family has had to make.
What are your plans for the near future?
Güven: Exactly what happens in the near future will be decided in the coming weeks. There are various options, but at the same time, there are one or two changes on the horizon in the world of motorsport. It is therefore still a little too early to say what is going to happen next year.
You were a Porsche Junior in 2020 and 2021. How important was that for your career? What did you find most helpful about this support programme?
Güven: Being accepted into the Porsche Junior Programme was a decisive turning point in my career – it enabled me to make the transition from talented driver to professional motorsport athlete. I learned a lot during that time. Coming from a culture where motorsport doesn’t play a major role, I entered the large Porsche Motorsport ecosystem. As part of this family, I was able to develop enormously as a racing driver.
What career advice would you give to young talents?
Güven: Spend a lot of time in the paddock, soak everything up and make contacts. Focus on yourself when driving, work hard and analyse. The breakthrough doesn’t happen overnight; you have to do everything you can year after year to achieve your goals. Small details often make a big difference – you have to find them and focus on them.