The 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours will feature its largest grid in more than a decade, with organisers confirming a 161-car entry list for the 2026 edition. The expanded field reflects a surge in global interest, driven in part by the high-profile debut of Max Verstappen.
After capping entries at 150 cars in recent years, organisers have reworked the paddock layout and secured cooperation from teams to accommodate an additional 11 cars. As a result, the iconic endurance race at the Nordschleife promises one of its most competitive and diverse line-ups in recent memory.
Expanded grid signals renewed interest for 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours
The decision to increase the grid size highlights the growing appeal of the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Organisers responded to unprecedented demand by revising space allocations and encouraging teams to optimise their paddock requirements.
Race director Walter Hornung emphasised the collaborative effort behind the expanded entry. He said, “We are delighted with the extraordinary response to the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring 2026. The fact that we can bring this large and high-calibre field to the start is only possible because so many teams have cooperated. I would like to express my sincere thanks for that.
“This demonstrates the special spirit of the endurance racing community at the Nordschleife: from world-class stars to amateur drivers, everyone is pulling together because everyone wants to be part of this special race.”
Consequently, the 2026 edition not only features increased numbers but also reinforces the event’s unique blend of professional and amateur competition.
Verstappen headlines star-studded line-up
A major talking point ahead of the race is the Nürburgring 24 debut of Max Verstappen. The four-time Formula 1 world champion will compete in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo run by Winward Racing. He will share driving duties with Lucas Auer, Dani Juncadella, and Jules Gounon, forming one of the strongest driver line-ups in the field.
However, Verstappen is far from the only headline name. The Scherer Sport PHX entry returns with a proven trio of Christopher Haase, Alexander Sims, and Ben Green in the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, fresh from victory in the N24 Qualifier.
Beyond the headline entries, the depth of talent across the field remains remarkable. Christopher Lulham joins another Mercedes-AMG crew alongside Adam Christodoulou, Mikael Grenier, and Marek Boeckmann.
Meanwhile, 2003 race winner Timo Scheider returns to the event in a McLaren 720S GT3 entered by Dörr Motorsport. He will share the car with Marvin Kirchhofer, Timo Glock, and Ben Doerr, creating another formidable combination.
Elsewhere, Lionspeed GP fields a strong Porsche line-up featuring Laurens Vanthoor, Laurin Heinrich, and Ricardo Feller. In the Pro-Am category, Jake Hill joins Kyle Tilley and Patrick Kolb in another intriguing entry.
Strong manufacturer presence in GT3
The SP9 class alone features 41 GT3 cars, representing nine major manufacturers. Among them, BMW returns as the defending winner with an expanded presence of M4 GT3 EVO entries, alongside the eye-catching BMW M3 Touring 24H machine.
Other manufacturers include Mercedes-AMG, Audi, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Ford, and Nissan.
Notably, Lamborghini’s new Temerario GT3 will not appear, with the brand instead fielding multiple Huracán GT3 EVO2 entries. Meanwhile, Ford’s Mustang GT3 continues to expand its presence with several entries across the grid.
Anticipation builds for iconic endurance battle at 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours
With a record-breaking grid, world-class drivers, and a diverse manufacturer line-up, the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours is shaping up to be a standout edition of the legendary race.
Ultimately, the combination of increased participation and elite competition ensures that the battle around the Nordschleife will be as intense as ever. As teams prepare for the challenge ahead, the stage is set for a thrilling endurance contest where strategy, reliability, and resilience will prove decisive over 24 relentless hours.
