Reigning GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup champion Rutronik Racing has announced a change of manufacturer for 2026, with the German outfit entering a multi-year relationship with Lamborghini to field its new Temerario GT3.
Klaus Graf’s organisation has run Porsche machinery since 2021 as a works supported team, across GT World Challenge Europe and the 24H Nürburgring.
Rutronik claimed Porsche’s maiden GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup victory last year at Barcelona, before embarking on a 2025 campaign which saw them challenge for all six overall GT World Challenge Europe titles.
Success came in the Endurance Cup drivers’ and teams’ contests, after Patric Niederhauser, Sven Müller and Alessio Picariello scored three podium finishes across the five rounds, including second place at the 24 Hours of Spa.
Its crowning moment with Porsche, when Niederhauser climbed though the field in the final stint of the year to seal the drivers’ crown by a single point, now appears set to be its last with the 911 GT3 R.
For 2026, Rutronik will again focus on GT World Challenge Europe, taking on both the Sprint and Endurance Cups.
The driver line-up is yet to be announced, but it will be made up entirely of Lamborghini Squadra Corse factory drivers.
“We are very excited and looking forward to entering into a new strategic partnership with Lamborghini in 2026,” said Team Principal Graf.
“For Rutronik Racing, this is another milestone in the team’s development. We are very proud of what we have achieved in recent years, which we were able to confirm with the title in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. Now it’s time to look ahead and take the next step.
“We are convinced that we can achieve our medium and long-term goals with a partner like Lamborghini. We are very much looking forward to competing with the new Lamborghini Temerario GT3 in 2026 and beyond. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lamborghini for their trust in Rutronik Racing!”
Rutronik Racing is the second confirmed customer of the Temerario GT3, following Pfaff Motorsports, who will give the car its global race debut at March’s 12 Hours of Sebring. The Italian marque has previously confirmed that the car will have a limited rollout in 2026, due to the need to balance road and race production.
Today’s announcement also confirms that Lamborghini will defend its historic triumph at the 24 Hours of Spa with at least one Pro class entry, after Lamborghini squad GRT – Grasser Racing Team defeated Rutronik this year to score the Raging Bull’s first win at the event.
“The 2026 season marks the racing debut of the Temerario GT3 in a prestigious championship such as the GT World Challenge Europe,” commented Lamborghini Chief Technical Officer Rouven Mohr.
“It is a series in which successive generations of the Huracán have been title contenders since 2015, and where Lamborghini has secured numerous titles across all categories, culminating in the recent victory at the 24 Hours of Spa.
“For these reasons, we will even strengthen our competitiveness with a highly experienced and professional team such as Rutronik Racing. I am confident that together we will achieve new successes and tackle every challenge with determination.”
The 2026 GT World Challenge Europe season begins at Circuit Paul Ricard on 11th and 12th April 2026, with a six-hour Endurance Cup event.
Images courtesy of Rutronik Racing and SRO/JEP
