Manthey has revealed the six drivers who will spearhead its bid to extend its dominance in the LMGT3 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026.
The German squad has established itself as the benchmark in the category since LMGT3 debuted in 2024. Over the past two seasons, Manthey has won six of the 16 races contested and secured back-to-back championship titles. Notably, the team locked out the top two positions in the standings during the category’s inaugural campaign.
Now, the Eifel-based outfit aims to build on that success with two carefully balanced driver line-ups for the upcoming season.
Proven trio returns in the #92 Porsche while new talent combines in #91 as Manthey aims for LMGT3 success in 2026 WEC
Two of the drivers who delivered Manthey’s most recent championship triumph will return to defend the title. Endurance racing stalwart Richard Lietz will once again take the wheel, continuing his long and successful association with the team.
Lietz boasts an impressive record that includes a world championship title in LMGTE Pro with Manthey and six class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Alongside him, rising Italian talent Riccardo Pera will embark on his second season with the squad. Meanwhile, Australian driver Yasser Shahin will rejoin Manthey after spending the 2025 season with BMW. Shahin previously partnered Lietz to victory at Le Mans in 2024 and returns after securing two podium finishes during his campaign with the Bavarian manufacturer.
The trio will compete in the #92 Porsche 911 LMGT3 R under the ‘The Bend Manthey’ banner.
Manthey will field a new line-up in the sister #91 ‘Manthey DK Engineering’ entry. British driver James Cottingham, former GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup champion Timur Boguslavskiy and Turkish racer Ayhancan Güven will share driving duties.
Cottingham already gained valuable FIA WEC experience and came close to victory during the 2025 season opener in Qatar with United Autosports. On that occasion, he narrowly missed out on the win by less than half a second.
Boguslavskiy also arrives with strong credentials. The Russian-born driver captured the 2023 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup title and now joins Manthey alongside Shahin from BMW.
Meanwhile, Porsche factory driver and Red Bull athlete Güven will make his FIA WEC debut in 2026. The Istanbul native enjoyed a remarkable 2025 season by winning Germany’s DTM championship with Manthey. He also boasts a victory in the prestigious Bathurst 12 Hour.
A formidable group to maintain winning streak
Manthey Racing Managing Director Nicolas Raeder believes the team has assembled a formidable group capable of continuing its winning streak.
“After two incredibly successful years in FIA WEC, we are proud to remain part of the series,” commented 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 in FIA WEC, and I am excited to see what we can accomplish together. With Ayhancan, we undoubtedly want to build upon the successes achieved over the last two years, and we are proud that Yasser will be part of the team again, 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, our goal is clear – to continue this momentum and defend our titles.”
Manthey team leadership confident in LMGT3 line-up for WEC
Manthey Racing Director Patrick Arkenau echoed that confidence, highlighting the balance between experience and fresh talent within the squad.
“We are very confident about our two line-ups, which feature newcomers, returning drivers and consistency in equal measure,” added Manthey Racing Director, Patrick Arkenau. “While James and Timur have been competing in FIA WEC since 2024, Ayhancan will be making his series debut, but he has already been very successful with us. I am sure we will form a strong unit with these exciting drivers.
“The second line-up similarly promises a lot. Richard represents absolute consistency and expertise, and we are happy that Riccardo is entering his second season with us and very pleased that Yasser and The Bend are returning following a year with BMW. With him and Richard, we celebrated many highlights in 2024, crowned by the victory at Le Mans. We are happy to welcome him back.
“In 2026, we want to pick up with both cars from where we left off in 2025 and 2024 and celebrate the next successes together.”
Championship battle begins in Qatar
The fight for LMGT3 honours in the 2026 FIA WEC will begin with a ten-hour race in Qatar on 28 March.
After the opening round, the championship will travel to Imola and Spa-Francorchamps before the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. The season will then continue with events at Interlagos, Circuit of the Americas and Fuji, before concluding with the traditional eight-hour finale in Bahrain.
