Ferrari squad Kondo Racing with Rinaldi will make its second consecutive appearance at the ADAC 24H Nürburgring in 2026, fielding a Yokohama-shod #45 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo in SP9 Pro. The Japanese team returns to the Nordschleife with renewed determination after last year’s promising but ultimately disappointing outing.
The team’s 2026 line-up features factory Ferrari driver Thomas Neubauer, David Perel, Dennis Marschall, and Thierry Vermeulen. Neubauer and Perel return after racing for the team in 2025, while Marschall joins from Falken Motorsports. Vermeulen, the 23-year-old Dutch driver, will make his Nürburgring 24 Hours debut after earning his Permit A in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie in 2024.
Vermeulen excited for Nürburgring 24 Hours debut with Kondo Racing in 2026
Thierry Vermeulen, who will also compete in the DTM and GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup with Emil Frey Racing this year, is eager to embrace his first 24-hour challenge at the legendary Nordschleife:
“I am extremely happy and excited to be joining the NLS season as a member of Kondo Racing and Rinaldi Racing, and to be competing in the Nürburgring 24 Hours for the first time. He continued, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone on the team for giving me this opportunity. I can’t wait to get on the track and start this new challenge with the team. We will work together to achieve the best possible result.”
Marschall Excited to Join Kondo Racing for Nürburgring 24
Dennis Marschall, making his return to the Nürburgring 24 Hours with Kondo Racing and Rinaldi Racing, shared his enthusiasm ahead of the 2026 campaign. The German driver emphasised both the competitiveness of the Ferrari 296 GT3 and the strength of the team:
“I am really looking forward to driving the Ferrari 296 GT3 in the Nürburgring 24 Hours together with Kondo Racing and Rinaldi Racing. The Ferrari 296 GT3 is undoubtedly one of the most competitive cars in its class, and the collaboration between Kondo Racing and Rinaldi Racing has shown great strength and consistency throughout last season, so I am looking forward to it.”
Marschall’s comments underline the confidence within the squad, as the team combines a proven car with experienced drivers to aim for a strong performance at the iconic endurance race.
Neubauer and Perel reflect on 2025 and look ahead
Last year marked Kondo Racing’s return to the Nürburgring 24 Hours after a six-year absence. Neubauer qualified second overall, while Perel led the race in its opening laps before the car retired following an accident.
Reflecting on the experience, Neubauer said: “I am very pleased to be competing in the NLS again with Kondo Racing and Rinaldi Racing, and to be taking on the ultimate goal of the Nürburgring 24 Hours race. Last year, we were able to demonstrate great potential and speed, but we did not achieve the results we had hoped for. However, we learned a lot from that experience and have a strong sense of accomplishment. I am confident that we will be able to perform at a high level this year. I am very much looking forward to getting back in the car for the first round of the NLS.”
Perel added: “Racing on the Nürburgring Nordschleife is one of the best experiences for a racing driver. I am extremely honored to be able to take on the challenge again this year with Kondo Racing. The entire team has maintained a high level of concentration and has been preparing for the race since a very early stage. I am looking forward to sharing the car with my very fast teammates. I feel that we have a great opportunity this year together with Kondo Racing and Yokohama Tires.
He concluded, “I would like to thank Kondo Racing and Rinaldi Racing for their continued trust.
Kondo Racing team owner targets overall victory in 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours
Masahiko Kondo, CEO of MK Company, emphasised the team’s ambition for 2026, highlighting both the drive to compete and the dedication of his staff and partners:
“I’m extremely happy that we can participate in the Nürburgring 24 in 2026, continuing from last year. This challenge is only possible because of the support we have from Realize Corporation, Yokohama Tire and many other partner companies. I want to express my most heartfelt thanks.
“In last year’s Nurburgring 24, we ended up with a disappointing result despite being in the fight for the top positions until late in the race, but we will come together as a team as we target becoming the first Japanese team to score an overall victory.
“We hope you look forward to Kondo Racing’s challenge and give us your warm support.”
The team aims to translate last year’s experience into a strong result, combining reliability, speed, and strategy to challenge for the top step on the podium.
Preparations begin with NLS season opener
Realize Kondo Racing with Rinaldi will kick off its Nürburgring 24 Hours preparations at this weekend’s Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) season opener. The programme will also include NLS2 and the ADAC Qualifiers weekend leading up to the 24-hour race from 14–17 May 2026, giving the team ample opportunity to refine the car and build cohesion among its refreshed driver line-up.
