Dybionka Steps Up To GT Open In PTT Racing BMW
Fabian Dybionka will step up to the International GT Open for the 2026 season with Polish team PTT Racing’s new BMW M4 GT3 EVO.
The Polish youngster finished third in the 2025 Porsche Sports Cup Deutschland Sprint Challenge GT3 standings, making history as their youngest-ever race winner aged 16.
He made a guest appearance last month with PTT Racing in the GT Winter Series’ Valencia race meeting, carrying out a dominant victory in the Cup 2 category with teammate Igor Klaja.
For his maiden 2026 GT Open campaign, Dybionka shares the car with 33-year-old compatriot Hubert Darmetko, who will contest his third season of GT3 racing.
Dybionka said: “We’ve been working towards this for quite some time, so it’s great to finally reveal our full programme.
“I’m really happy to continue with PTT Racing after fighting for the title together last year.
“Stepping up to a highly competitive international series like the International GT Open is a big challenge, with a strong and very fast field racing at some of the most iconic Formula One circuits in Europe.
“I’m especially excited about moving to the BMW M4 GT3 EVO, which is one of the most exciting cars in the GT3 category.
“Its size and aggressive design are impressive, but what really stands out is the torque.
“It’s extremely helpful out of slow corners, but also demands a lot of precision from the driver.
“It’s great to share the car with Hubert. He has already shown strong pace in GT3 racing, and we work very well together both on and off the track.
“Our goal is clear: to fight for the best possible results in the overall standings.”
PTT Racing are not new to the GT Sport-promoted series, having won the overall GT Cup Europe title in 2021.
Team manager Marcin Kraczkowski added: “We had terrific memories of our time in GT Sport-promoted series and of the friendly atmosphere.
“We are delighted to be part of the family again.”
PTT Racing’s new Bavarian racer will be delivered ahead of the second GT Open race meeting at Spa-Francorchamps on 15-17 May, before contesting the rest of the season.
Missing the season-opener in Portimão, PTT Racing’s campaign begins at the historic Belgian circuit for a 500 km endurance race in BMW’s flagship GT3 race car.
Grupo Prom Racing Team confirms Am class Mannol Mercedes
Grupo Prom Racing Team has confirmed their International GT Open campaign for the 2026 season, sporting the #77 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo in the colours of Mannol.
The renowned lubricant manufacturer is expanding their programme in GT racing, having successfully concluded participation in the GT Winter Series and also announced an effort in the GT World Challenge Europe championship.
The #77 Mercedes will compete in the GT Open’s Am category for the full season, comprising eight race meetings, six of which will host two sprint races each, and two will host 500 km endurance races.
Alfredo Hernández, who secured a fourth-placed finish in the Am standings due to two podium finishes last year, will drive alone at the sprint races but will have help from Frenchman Stéphane Tribaudini at the two endurance races, at Spa and Monza.
Konstantin Gaab, Managing Director of MANNOL / SCT Germany, said: ‘The International GT Open offers a very attractive overall package: professional competition, attractive tracks and exciting sprint and endurance formats.
“At the same time, the series is an ideal opportunity for us to put our brand in the spotlight in key European markets and support our local sales partners.
“Together with the Grupo Prom Racing team, we want to use this stage to gain valuable experience under racing conditions.”
Villorba Corse Opts For Youthful GT Open Driver Line-up
Villorba Corse has opted for a youthful approach for their 2026 International GT Open driver line-up with 22-year-old Leonardo Moncini and 20-year-old Rodrigo Testa.
The Italian and the Portuguese duo will share driving duties in the team’s #63 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 entered in the Pro category.
This year marks a significant milestone for the team, as they return to GT3 racing for the first time since 2024 and partner with Lamborghini across all their racing commitments.
“With Leo and Rodrigo, we have selected a young and well-matched crew capable of bringing fresh energy to Villorba Corse,” said Team Principal Raimondo Amadio.
“They are the first two drivers who will accompany us in this initial phase of our programme, as a ‘supported by Lamborghini’ team.
“I am confident it will be a rich and exciting season.
“The objective is to work at our best and to allow these young talents to grow and showcase their skills.
“The 2026 season is now about to start; there is still work to be completed, but within the team, the atmosphere is ideal, and there is a strong sense of positivity.
“The enthusiasm of this young crew will allow us to tackle together the many challenges that lie ahead.”
Both drivers have extensive experience in grand touring car racing, with Moncini competing in multiple seasons of GT World Challenge Europe and the Italian GT sprint championships.
Similar to the #63 Lamborghini he will pilot this year, his recent years behind the wheel of the 5.2L naturally aspirated V10 Audi R8 LMS Evo II position him for a smooth transition to the Italian machinery.
“2026 marks my debut with Villorba Corse and in GT Open,” said Moncini.
“I would like to thank Amadio, and I am honoured by this opportunity, which I will repay with maximum commitment.
“I have already had the chance to get to know most of the team, and I am truly pleased with the immediate feeling and the atmosphere I found.
“Racing with a brand like Lamborghini, with the #63 car in a series such as the GT Open, will be exciting. I can’t wait to get started.”
Testa is more familiar with Lamborghini as a member of their GT3 Junior Driver Programme, having competed in the Super Trofeo Europe from 2022 to 24 and racing such machinery in Italian GT — before progressing to the GT3 car in 2025 with fair success.
“I am very happy to start this new season with Villorba Corse and Lamborghini in GT Open,” said the Portuguese.
“It will be my second year in GT3 after the Italian GT Endurance Championship, where we managed to achieve two important wins.
“I approach this programme with great motivation and the goal of continuing to grow as a driver.
“The level of GT Open is very high, but by working well with the team and with Leonardo, we can be competitive throughout the season.
“I would also like to thank Lamborghini Genève for the support, and starting in Portimão, in front of my home crowd, will make this debut even more special.”
Hahn returns for Am class effort with AF Corse
The 2020 Pro-Am class champion Marcelo Hahn has returned to the International GT Open in a Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo AF Corse machine.
With 10 Pro-Am victories and one overall win, Hahn will contest the Am category, having taken part in the Barcelona Winter Test with two other names, Diego Nunes and Galid Osman.
The second driver is set to join Hahn for the upcoming season. Hahn is excited to return to the championship for the first time since 2024, driving an AF Corse-run Ferrari featuring the well-known Blau livery.
Hahn said: “I am really happy to be back in the International GT Open, probably the series I enjoy the most, despite the travel constraints it entails for me. And the Ferrari feels just great…”
He spent 2025 competing in SRO’s GT World Challenge America series, interchanging teammates with two other Brazilian compatriots at AF Corse USA, Hahn’s father Christian and Allam Khodair.
Porsches set the pace across both test days
At the Barcelona test over the past two days, run by GT Open’s organiser GT Sport, Porsche machinery set the quickest pace under mild yet sunny conditions.
The Fach Auto Tech (Alexander Fach Jr/Alexander Schwarzer) Porsche 911 GT3.R Evo set the fastest time of the test with a 1:39.645 lap time.
ZRS Motorsport’s (Pietro Armanni/Alex Fontana) Porsche trailed by 0.172 seconds whilst Hahn/Nunes/Osman secured third place for AF Corse’s Ferrari at 0.417 seconds off the pace.
The top three teams maintained their order during both the Friday and Saturday sessions.
Amongst other teams, they focused on maximising their track time in preparation for the 2026 International GT Open campaign, which kicks off next month from 17-19 April with the first sprint race meeting at Portimão.
Images courtesy of GT Sport
