Top international drivers and teams in Green Hell
The ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series returns from its winter break with a bang – kicking off its 50th season with a spectacular first race on March 14, 2026. As the field of 132 registered cars lines up for the 71st ADAC Westfalenfahrt, it quickly becomes clear that the concentration of top international drivers has rarely been as high as this year. Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Ford, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Lamborghini will be represented by some of their best GT3 endurance teams as well as factory drivers.
Porsche 911 GT3 R
At the head of this field is the legendary Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 R, #911. Behind the wheel is not only the reigning DTM champion, Ayhancan Güven, but he also shares the cockpit with Porsche factory driver Kévin Estre. The competition for the 'Grello' is more prominent than ever before. Driving the #17 car for Dunlop Motorsport is Julien Andlauer, who arrives in the Eifel region riding the momentum of his overall victory at the 2026 24 Hours of Daytona; he will share the cockpit with Nico Menzel. Team Falken Motorsport also aims to be in contention for the overall win. Morris Schuring, the reigning DTM Junior Champion, will drive the #44 car alongside Klaus Bachler. Dinamic GT and Lionspeed GP will also feature a Porsche 911 GT3.
📷 © Porsche. #911 Manthey Porsche #911 and #17 Dunlop Motorsport Porsche #17
Ferrari 296 GT3
REALIZE KONDO RACING with Rinaldi is fielding a true power trio in the #45 car. Thierry Vermeulen (GT World Challenge Gold Cup winner) and Dennis Marschall (GTWC Bronze Champion) will share the Ferrari 296 GT3 with Thomas Neubauer.
BMW
The Bavarian competition is making a particularly impressive showing: BMW is sending three top-tier teams with factory support to the Green Hell. Schubert Motorsport will be attacking with car #77 and a top-class lineup – factory drivers Marco Wittmann, Philipp Eng, and Robin Frijns will share the cockpit of the BMW M4 GT3 EVO. ROWE RACING is no less ambitious. Car #98 will be driven by Augusto Farfus, Raffaele Marciello, and Jordan Pepper, while car #99 will be piloted by Dan Harper, Max Hesse, and Sheldon Van Der Linde.
📷 © BMW. #77 Schubert Motorsport BMW M4 GT3
Mercedes-AMG
📷 © Mercedes-AMG. #3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen and #80 Racing Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL
The Mercedes-AMG contingent is also significantly strengthening its lineup. With car #80, the Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL is fielding a trio that embodies pure GT3 experience: Maxime Martin, Maro Engel, and Luca Stolz are aiming to bring victory back to Affalterbach at the season opener. The lineup is completed by another Mercedes-AMG GT3, #3, from Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, driven by three exceptional drivers: Jules Gounon, Daniel Juncadella, and Lucas Auer. Four-time Formula 1 World Champion and team namesake Max Verstappen will then join the action in NLS2.
Aston Martin, Ford and Lamborghini
Following a successful debut season with a victory, Haupt Racing Team is once again fielding the powerful Ford Mustang GT3.
Konrad Motorsport and Red Bull Team ABT will feature one Lamborghini Huracán GT3 each,
📷 © Walkenhorst Motorsport’s Aston Martin Vantage GT3 #34
Walkenhorst Motorsport will also align one Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in SP9 Pro.
Calender for endurance races at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 2026:
14.03. – NLS1
21.03. – NLS2
11.04. – NLS3
18.04. – 19.04. – ADAC 24h Qualifiers (NLS4 & NLS5)
14.05. – 17.05. – 24h Nürburgring
20.06. – NLS6
01.08. – NLS7
12.09. – NLS8
13.09. – NLS9
10.10. – NLS10
Related Info
📷 © Mercedes-AMG. Mercedes-AMG line-ups for Nürburgring programme
📷© Walkenhorst Motorsport. Walkenhorst's two Aston Martin at NUR24 and NLS
📷 © Luc Warnotte at Nürburgring. Ford Mustang road to success in endurance racing
