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The confirmed entry list for the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours reads like a who’s who of GT racing: factory GT3 programmes, seasoned endurance crews and a string of unexpected outsiders set to tackle the Nordschleife’s unforgiving 24‑hour test. With Max Verstappen joining a Mercedes‑AMG GT3 in the top class, the weekend has taken on extra significance for manufacturers and casual fans alike.
This year’s grid spans a wide range of categories, from outright GT3 contenders to lightweight cup cars and compact touring machines — each with different ambitions and survival strategies over a full day at the Ring.
- SP9 (GT3 – overall contenders)
- SP10 (GT4)
- SP2T, SP3, SP3T, SP4, SP4T, SP7, SP8T (various national and homologation classes)
- Cup 2 & Cup 3 (Porsche one‑make categories)
- TCR (touring‑car competitors)
- BMW, AT1 & AT2 (manufacturer and amateur classes)
- VT2, V5, V6 (production and near‑series categories)
- SPX / SP‑Pro (experimental and prototype entries)
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Selected SP9 line‑up: headline entries
| No. | Team | Car | Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Mercedes‑AMG Team Verstappen Racing | Mercedes‑AMG GT3 | Max Verstappen; Lucas Auer; Jules Gounon; Daniel Juncadella |
| 1 | ROWE RACING | BMW M4 GT3 EVO | Augusto Farfus; Raffaele Marciello; Jordan Pepper; Kelvin van der Linde |
| 911 | Manthey Racing | Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) | Kevin Estre; Ayhancan Güven; Thomas Preining; Matt Campbell |
| 44 | Falken Motorsports | Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) | Klaus Bachler; Tim Heinemann; Sven Müller; Morris Schuring |
| 54 | Dinamic GT | Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) | Bastian Buss; Michael Klitgaard Christensen; Joel Sturm; Loek Hartog |
| 69 | Doerr Motorsport | McLaren 720S GT3 | Timo Glock; Timo Scheider; Ben Doerr; Marvin Kirchhöfer |
| 77 | Schubert Motorsport | BMW M4 GT3 EVO | Marco Wittmann; Philipp Eng; Charles Weerts; Robin Frijns |
| 34 | Walkenhorst Motorsport | Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 | Christian Krognes; Mattia Drudi; Nicki Thiim; Felipe Fernandez Laser |
| 99 | ROWE RACING (2) | BMW M4 GT3 EVO | Dan Harper; Max Hesse; Sheldon van der Linde; Dries Vanthoor |
| 64 | HRT Ford Racing | Ford Mustang GT3 | Arjun Maini; Fabio Scherer; David Schumacher; Frank Stippler |
| 16 | Scherer Sport PHX | Audi R8 LMS GT3 | Christopher Haase; Alexander Sims; Ben Green |
| 47 | KCMG | Mercedes‑AMG GT3 | Nirei Fukuzumi; Naoya Gamou; Jesse Krohn; David Pittard |
Why this grid matters
The addition of a global figure like Max Verstappen to the GT3 ranks shifts attention beyond the usual endurance audience. His presence brings fresh scrutiny to the SP9 battle and raises the stakes for Mercedes‑AMG’s customer programme.
At the same time, traditional endurance specialists and factory efforts remain the backbone of the entry list. Teams such as Manthey Racing and ROWE Racing arrive with proven Nordschleife credentials and fully fledged manufacturer support, which usually translates into pace and consistency over 24 hours.
Drivers and storylines to follow
There are several threads worth watching through the weekend: the tug‑of‑war among GT3 manufacturers; whether customer Porsche outfits can match Manthey’s efficiency; and how evolving programmes — notably HRT’s Ford Mustang project — cope with long‑distance reliability demands.
Experienced Nordschleife campaigners populate the grid and will be crucial when night falls and traffic management matters most. Names such as Laurens Vanthoor, Marco Wittmann, Kevin Estre and Kelvin van der Linde are sprinkled across multiple entries, bringing depth to the competition and familiarity with the circuit’s unique challenges.
For manufacturers, the race is a public performance test. A strong result bolsters a carmaker’s reputation among privateer teams and potential customers; a mechanical failure is a costly lesson in endurance development. For drivers crossing over from single‑seaters or shorter GT formats, this is an endurance baptism by fire.
Teams to watch
Manthey Racing — the benchmark in Porsche GT3 operation; consistently mixes outright speed with strategic nous.
ROWE Racing — BMW’s endurance spearhead, with multiple M4 GT3 EVO cars capable of running at the front and influencing race dynamics.
Mercedes‑AMG — represented both by veteran customer teams and the high‑profile Verstappen entry; depth across its entries makes AMG a constant threat for podiums.
Other squads such as Falken, Dinamic GT, Scherer Sport PHX and Walkenhorst add competitive balance and are each able to exploit opportunities should the frontrunners falter.
Outside the top class, the SP10 and Cup categories line the grid with tightly matched machinery where endurance strategy and flawless execution often decide class wins.
Track activity begins with early qualifying and pre‑grid sessions from Thursday, with decisive grid‑setting runs on Friday and the 24‑hour race starting on Sunday. Official broadcasters and the event organiser will host live coverage and timing through the weekend.
Expect the Nürburgring 24 Hours to test durability as much as outright speed: the Nordschleife rarely rewards the bold without patience, mechanical sympathy and a clean night shift.
