After naming Ayhancan Güven and Richard Lietz for the 2026 FIA WEC season on the day of the provisional entry reveal, reigning LMGT3 class champion Manthey made the rest of its line-up public this morning.
In 2026, with a pair of evo-spec Porsche 911 GT3 Rs, Manthey hopes to defend its back-to-back titles and Le Mans wins, with former United Bronze James Cottingham, Timur Boguslavskiy and Güven in the #91 DK Engineering-bannered car, and reigning LMGT3 champions Lietz and Riccardo Pera, plus returning Yasser Shahin in the The Bend-backed #92 entry.
“After two incredibly successful years in the WEC in 2024 and 2025, we are proud to remain part of the series next year,” said Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director of Manthey Racing GmbH.
“With James and DK Engineering, as well as Timur, we have strong new partners joining the team. James and Timur are experienced drivers in the WEC and I am excited to see what we can achieve together. They will be joined by Ayhancan, with whom we undoubtedly want to build on the successes achieved in the last two years.
“The second car will be lined up by familiar faces, and we are proud that Yasser will be part of the team again next year (after a hugely successful 2024 campaign with the team in LMGT3’s inaugural season), as we have a strong connection with him. After winning not only the championship but also the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice in a row in the last two seasons, our goal is clear: to continue the momentum of these years and defend our titles.”
Güven, the 2025 DTM champion, says he feels confident that the #91 driver crew will be capable of adding to Manthey’s impressive tally in LMGT3 during his first WEC campaign.
“I’m really excited for the 2026 WEC season together with James and Timur. I had a successful time with Manthey in DTM and endurance racing, and as I enter the WEC for the first time.
“I know it will be a new championship for me, but as always, we will work hard and be well prepared for the first race in Qatar. From there, we will assess our performance and improve it race by race to ensure we have a strong season. We are putting together a strong package, and with great chemistry, our goal must be to fight for the title!”
Lietz added that he’s pleased to be back at Manthey in the #92 and working with Shahin again, following Ryan Hardwick’s decision to step away from the WEC next year and shift his focus to competing in IMSA.
“At the same time, it is completely understandable that Ryan wants to focus on the American market in future – as an American driver and with 1st Phorm as his US partner, this fits perfectly with ‘Manthey Goes America’. I wish him every success and thank him for the 2025 season we spent together!”
Shahin, meanwhile, is energised by his return to the team after a challenging year spent with WRT and BMW.
“It’s like picking up right where we left off after that amazing 2024 run together – finishing second overall and taking the win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the crown jewel of endurance racing,” he said.
“Manthey’s track record speaks for itself, and getting behind the wheel with them again feels fantastic, especially with the supremely competent Richard Lietz and Riccardo. This squad is incredible and I can’t wait to chase more success together.”
Images courtesy of Manthey
