The Michelin 24H Series European Series returns to action in just three weeks with the Michelin 12H Paul Ricard, and the battle for the overall GT3 championship could hardly be tighter heading into round three of the 2026 campaign.
Set to mark the halfway stage of the season, the endurance event at Circuit Paul Ricard in southern France will also represent the sixth running of a Creventic race at the Le Castellet venue. Consequently, teams and drivers now prepare for another crucial weekend in one of endurance racing’s most competitive GT championships.
Like the previous rounds at Mugello and Spa-Francorchamps, the Michelin 12H Paul Ricard will use the split-race format. Therefore, competitors will tackle the opening six hours on Saturday, 6 June, before returning for the final six hours on Sunday, 7 June.
GT3 championship battle remains wide open ahead of 24H Series Michelin 12H Paul Ricard
The overall GT3 standings arrive at Paul Ricard in remarkable fashion, with three Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO entries currently tied on 42 points at the top of the championship.
GetSpeed Team PCX Racing, Ajith RedAnt Racing and GetSpeed Team JR286 each share the lead after two fiercely contested rounds. Notably, Ajith RedAnt Racing heads into the event aiming to improve on last year’s runner-up finish at Paul Ricard.
However, the chasing pack remains firmly in contention. Sainteloc Junior Team sits only two points behind the leaders following victory in the season opener at Mugello with its No.18 Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II.
Meanwhile, HAAS RT continues to field a strong challenge with both of its Audi entries. The No.2 car currently occupies 36 points, while the sister No.21 machine trails by only another two points.
Proton Competition also enters the weekend with momentum. The defending GT3 winner at Paul Ricard brings its No.73 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) into round three level on points with the second HAAS RT Audi.
Returning teams add further depth
Several additional contenders will strengthen the GT3 field at Paul Ricard. Continental Racing by Simpson Motorsport adds another Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II to the grid, while Juta Racing returns for its first appearance of the 2026 season with two Audi entries.
Elsewhere, GT3-AM points leader HOFOR Racing will continue its campaign alongside fellow Mercedes-AMG squads Viper Niza Racing and MP Racing.
At the same time, Era Motorsport hopes to reverse its difficult start to the year with the Ferrari 296 GT3, while E2P Racing targets a breakthrough result with the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO.
Strong competition across support classes
Beyond the headline GT3 category, several other classes also promise intense competition throughout the weekend.
Mühlner Motorsport arrives at Paul Ricard chasing a third consecutive victory in the 992 class with its No.921 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992 I). Importantly, the team also secured class victory at the French circuit last season.
Nevertheless, rivals including QMMF by HRT Performance and Red Camel-Jordans.nl will aim to halt that momentum. QMMF by HRT Performance already claimed 992-AM victories at both Mugello and Spa earlier this year.
Additionally, The Driving Experiences, SebLajoux Racing, RPM Racing and Chazel Technologie Course all remain firmly in contention after consistently strong performances during the opening rounds.
Van Berlo Motorsport by CP Motorsport will also make its first appearance of the 2026 season, while Orchid Racing Team joins the expanding grid.
GTX and GT4 classes continue to grow
The GTX class once again features Vortex and Dinamic Motorsport as the primary contenders. Vortex targets a third consecutive European Series victory with its No.701 Vortex 2.0, while Dinamic Motorsport enters the No.767 Maserati MC20 GT2.
Meanwhile, the TCE-TCX category could deliver a close battle between asBest Racing’s SEAT Leon Cup Racer and the Ligier JS2 R entered by Not Only Motorsport.
In addition, the GT4 class returns to the European Series grid at Paul Ricard. Circuit Toys will field its Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 for the French event, adding another layer of variety to the packed entry.
Busy weekend schedule awaits the 2026 24H Series at Paul Ricard
Preparations for round three begin with two CR Track Days on Wednesday, 3 June, and Thursday, 4 June, before official practice and qualifying commence on Friday, 5 June.
Organisers have scheduled three qualifying sessions for the 992, GTX, GT4 and TCE-TCX categories, followed by three additional sessions exclusively for GT3 competitors.
The opening segment of the Michelin 12H Paul Ricard starts at 11:45 local time on Saturday, 6 June, while the concluding six-hour section begins at 11:30 on Sunday, 7 June.
Alongside the endurance action, spectators will also enjoy support races from Radical Cup Europe and TCR Europe across the weekend at Circuit Paul Ricard.
