The Manthey 2026 FIA WEC driver line-up is coming together with confirmation this morning that 2025 WEC LMGT3 Drivers’ Champion Richard Lietz and reigning DTM Champion Ayhancan Güven have signed for the upcoming campaign.
In 2026, Manthey will be the only Porsche team on the WEC grid. The Penske-run factory team will no longer compete in Hypercar with the 963, and after much deliberation, Proton Competition’s attempt to put together a two-car effort to salvage something for the German brand in the top class came to nought.
Manthey will also compete in the WEC without the Iron Dames banner in 2026, after the all-female initiative (which was operated by the Meuspath-based team on the world stage) recently confirmed it would step back from the world championship next year.
Nevertheless, Manthey’s all-conquering LMGT3 programme continues on in 2026, aiming to defend its LMGT3 title with the new-for-2026 911 GT3 R Evo, after claiming the class honours in both 2024 and 2025. In addition to its flagship WEC programme, it will also compete in IMSA’s Endurance Cup next year with a pair of GT3 R Evos.
To achieve its goals in WEC, Lietz will remain with the team after a superb 2025 season racing in the 1st Phorm liveried 911 GT3 R alongside Ryan Hardwick and Riccardo Pera, and Porsche factory driver Güven will make his WEC debut in the team’s second 911 GT3 R. Güven will not defend his DTM title with this switch in programme.
“We are thrilled that Richard will continue to support us in the WEC with his experience and expertise. We have already celebrated many successes in the series with him and would naturally like to continue this. Ayhancan will celebrate his WEC debut with us,” Patrick Arkenau, the director of racing at Manthey Racing GmbH, said.
“We would have loved to go on the mission to defend our title in the DTM with him, but now we are very much looking forward to competing in the next FIA WEC season together with him. Overall, we are proud to be back on the grid in 2026 with two consistently strong line-ups, and we are looking forward to announcing our further great drivers in mid-December.”
The remaining drivers for its 2026 campaign are expected to be revealed ahead of Christmas.
