- Niels Langeveld takes victory for Laptime-Performance in tyre gamble
- Chester Kieffer secures Rookie title, Michael Essmann wins ProAm classification
- South African Masters moved to Bavaria to pursue his motorsport career
Keagan Masters is the new Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland champion. The South African secured the title in the final race of the season at the Hockenheimring on Sunday and celebrated alongside his Proton Competition team.
For the squad from Hofkirchen in Bavaria, it marks a third consecutive drivers’ championship title. A ninth-place finish in the eventful 16th race was enough for Masters to stay ahead of title rival Flynt Schuring (NL/Schumacher CLRT) in the overall standings.
“This title means an incredible amount to me. Winning in my first season in such a fiercely competitive series is unbelievable. I dedicate this success to my family, who have always supported me and were in Hockenheim,” said an overjoyed Masters. The 26-year-old claimed eight podium finishes during the 2026 season, including two victories. With well-filled grandstands, the DTM weekend provided an impressive backdrop for Germany’s fastest one-make cup.
The 16th race of the season got off to a turbulent start. Following rainfall shortly before the race, 27 of the 29 drivers initially opted for wet-weather tyres. Only Laptime-Performance sent its two drivers, Niels Langeveld (NL) and Sebastian Freymuth (D), out on slicks in their Porsche 911 Cup, banking on drying conditions. As the field headed out for the formation lap, most teams made a last-minute decision to switch to slicks as the track dried rapidly. They quickly called their drivers into the pit lane for a tyre change. Title contenders Masters and Schuring also came in for a stop. Under the regulations, this meant they had to start the race from the pit lane and chase the field that had already taken the start. This played perfectly into the hands of Laptime-Performance. Despite two safety car periods, Langeveld and Freymuth confidently worked their way to the front. Langeveld took the lead on lap seven, with Freymuth moving into second place behind him. After 16 laps, team principal Simon Eibl celebrated a successful strategy and a one-two finish. Wouter Boerekamps (NL/Team GP Elite) completed the podium in third place.
For title contenders Masters and Schuring, the race turned into a nail-biting affair. Following their late tyre changes, an off-track excursion for Masters and a spin for Schuring, the pair found themselves in 25th and 26th place after three laps. Both recovered and eventually crossed the finish line in ninth and twelfth place respectively. The Proton Competition team was already waiting beneath the podium to celebrate its third consecutive drivers’ title and victory in the team championship. Masters’ family also joined the celebrations: his mother Keryn, father Wayne and sister Danielle had travelled all the way from South Africa to support the professional racing driver. Masters, who lived with the team in Hofkirchen during the season, revealed the secret to his success with a wink: “I love German currywurst.”
There was also plenty of reason to celebrate for Luxembourg’s Chester Kieffer (Schumacher CLRT). The Talent Pool driver secured the Rookie title with 298 points, ahead of Sam Jongejan (NL/Team75 Bernhard, 277 points) and Caleb Sumich (AUS/Target, 197 points). In the fiercely contested ProAm classification, Michael Essmann (D/Team75 Bernhard, 333 points) claimed the title, with Sören Spreng (D/GP Elite, 318 points) finishing runner-up.
Porsche Junior Schuring received a special honour on Saturday evening. The “Fastest Lap Award” was presented during a gala dinner in the Porsche Hospitality. Schuring received a timepiece from Porsche Design after setting the fastest race lap in nine of the 16 races. In front of 400 guests, he was presented with a Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – All Black Numbered Edition on stage.
“The 2026 Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland season was truly special. We witnessed thrilling races, an international field of drivers and title battles that were only decided at the finale. There were nine different race winners across 16 races, and I am now delighted for Keagan Masters, who can celebrate becoming the new champion,” said Thorsten Rückert, Project Manager Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland, summing up the season.
Result race 16, Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland
1. Niels Langeveld (NL/Laptime-Performance)
2. Sebastian Freymuth (D/Laptime-Performance)
3. Wouter Boerekamps (NL/Team GP Elite)
4. Robert de Haan (NL/ Proton Competition)
5. Janne Stiak (D/Forch Racing by Atlas Ward)
6. Theo Oeverhaus (D/ID Racing)
7. Gian Luca Tüccaroglu (D/Team75 Bernhard)
8. Matheus Ferreira (BR/Team GP Elite)
9. Keagan Masters (ZA/Proton Competition)
10. Alexander Tauscher (D/Target)
Points standings after 16 of 16 races
Drivers’ classification
1. Keagan Masters (ZA/Proton Competition), 230 points
2. Flynt Schuring (NL/Schumacher CLRT), 216 points
3. Theo Oeverhaus (D/ID Racing), 204 points
Rookie classification
1. Chester Kieffer (L/Schumacher CLRT), 298 points
2. Sam Jongejan (NL/Team75 Bernhard), 277 points
3. Caleb Sumich (AUS/Target), 197 points
ProAm classification
1. Michael Essmann (D/Team75 Bernhard), 333 points
2. Sören Spreng (D/GP Elite), 318 points
3. Samer Shahin (AUS/GP Elite), 173 points
Teams’ classification
1. Proton Competition, 396 points
2. Schumacher CLRT, 349 points
3. Team GP Elite, 300 points
