BMW unveils M3 Touring livery
BMW has revealed the livery its M3 Touring 24H will compete in during this weekend’s race.
After racing in a design featuring reactions to the initial April Fool’s post during its preparatory Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie starts, the German marque has adopted a more traditional scheme for the race itself, with prominent backing from Shell.
The Schubert Motorsport-run #81 machine, which is entered under the ‘BMW M Motorsport’ banner, will be raced by Jens Klingmann, Connor de Phillippi, Ugo de Wilde and Neil Verhagen in SP-X Pro.
Mühlner adds FIA WEC veterans to four-car roster
Alex Brundle is a late addition to the entry list, with the 35-year-old joining Martin Rump and Ben Bünnagel in Muhlner Motorsport’s #123 Porsche 911 GT3 R, which will compete in SP 9 Pro-Am.
Brundle previously won the SP8 T class in 2019, and made his most recent start at the ‘Ring two years ago.
Alex told DSC: ‘Awesome to be back in a top-class car in a sportscar race. This one was very last-minute having agreed to jump in for the 24 hours on Monday
I love the Nurburgring 24, and it’s an amazing opportunity to be back for what will be a huge event. My first laps of the Ring this year and ever in a GT3 car will be in Qualifying 1, so I’ll be focused on doing a solid, dependable job and building from there.”
Also racing for Mühlner Motorsport is Michelle Gatting, who has joined the Belgian squad for her N24 debut.
The Iron Dame is set to race the #918 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) in CUP2 Pro alongside Nick Salewsky and Tim Scheerbarth.
First cars confirmed for pole position shootout
Five cars have already qualified for Friday’s Top Qualifying 3 session, where pole position will be decided.
The #1 ROWE Racing BMW, #16 Scherer Sport PHX Audi, #45 Realize Kondo Racing with Rinaldi Ferrari, #47 KCMG Mercedes-AMG and #84 Red Bull Team Abt Lamborghini will be joined by seven further cars, who will qualify via a multi-stage knockout format on Friday morning.
In a change for 2026, all 49 cars across the SP 9, SP-X, AT1 and SP Pro classes, which will make up Starting Group 1, will participate in Top Qualifying 1.
The Top 20, excluding those who have already qualified for Top Qualifying 3, will progress to Top Qualifying 2. The fastest seven cars in Top Qualifying 2 will then be permitted into Top Qualifying 3.
SP 9 Pro entries must utilise a different driver in each session. This restriction does not apply to the other classes.
Manthey displays winners
As part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, Manthey has assembled all of its 24H Nürburgring-winning cars, with the sextet set to be displayed in the ring boulevard.
The German outfit will compete for a record-breaking eighth overall victory this weekend, with its #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992.2) piloted by Kevin Estre, Ayhacan Güven and Thomas Preining.
Ticket sell-out
For the first time in race history, weekend tickets have sold out, meaning that they will not be available to purchase on-site on race day morning.
Single-day tickets for Thursday, Friday and Sunday are still on sale.
“We are, of course, delighted by the huge response from long-standing and new fans, who have literally overwhelmed us this year,” said race director Walter Hornung.
“At the same time, however, we are naturally working closely with the Nürburgring and the authorities to ensure an orderly and safe experience for all visitors. That is why, for the first time in the 50-year history of the 24h Nürburgring, we have had to limit the number of tickets.”
Images courtesy of BMW M Motorsport, Mühlner Motorsport and Manthey
