The Michelin 24H SERIES European Series heads to Germany from 3–5 July for the inaugural Michelin 12H Nürburgring, with 30 cars preparing to tackle the Grand Prix Circuit.
Round 4 marks the penultimate event of the five-round campaign. Therefore, the two-part 12-hour contest could play a decisive role in the overall GT3 championship and several closely fought class battles.
The Nürburgring also introduces a major unknown for the field, as the Creventic-organised championship visits the Rhineland-Palatinate venue for the first time. Three different teams and manufacturers have already claimed outright victories this season, leaving the door open for another new winner in Germany.
GetSpeed aims to protect slender GT3 advantage
Nürburgring-based GetSpeed Team PCX Racing enters its home event at the top of both the overall GT3 and GT3 PRO-AM standings. Benjamin Paque, Jordan Boisson, Patrick Charlaix and Mikhaël Grenier will share the No. 28 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO as the team attempts to strengthen its championship position.
However, GetSpeed holds only a six-point advantage over HOFOR Racing following the latter’s breakthrough result at Paul Ricard.
The narrow margin places added importance on every stage of the 12-hour race. A clean weekend could give GetSpeed a valuable cushion ahead of the finale, while any setback could hand control of the championship to one of its closest rivals.
HOFOR arrives after Paul Ricard triumph
HOFOR Racing enters the Nürburgring round with momentum after securing both the outright victory and GT3-AM honours at the Michelin 12H Paul Ricard. That result moved the Mercedes-AMG squad to within six points of GetSpeed and placed it firmly at the heart of the title battle.
Chantal Prinz returns to the line-up after missing the previous round. She will join her husband Alexander Prinz, father Michael Kroll and regular team member Torsten Kratz.
HOFOR’s Paul Ricard victory demonstrated its ability to combine outright speed with disciplined endurance execution. Consequently, another strong result could move the team to the top of the standings before the final round.
Mercedes-AMG contingent grows for German round
Three additional Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVOs strengthen the manufacturer’s presence at the Nürburgring. GetSpeed will field a second car under the Team JR286 banner for Patrick Liddy, Tanner Harvey, Jonathan Hirshberg and Steve Jans. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Viper Niza Racing retains its established trio of Melvin Moh, Douglas Khoo and Dominic Ang.
Ajith RedAnt Racing also continues its consistent campaign with Kobe de Breucker, brothers Yannick and Ayrton Redant, and Tamil actor Ajith Kumar.
The team enters the weekend third in the overall GT3 standings after regularly collecting valuable points throughout the opening three rounds. Although it has yet to claim an outright victory, its consistency keeps it firmly involved in the championship conversation.
Saintéloc seeks second victory of the season
Saintéloc Junior Team arrives level with HOFOR Racing in the GT3 standings after winning the season-opening Michelin 12H Mugello. Pierre Kaffer, Michael Doppelmayr, Elia Erhart, Stéphane Tribaudini and Ernst Inderbitzin will share the lead Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II.
The French squad has already demonstrated race-winning pace this season. However, it now needs another strong result to remain within reach of GetSpeed heading into the championship finale.
Continental Racing by Simpson Motorsport will add another Audi to the field, with Vasily Vladykin and Paul Scheuschner confirmed so far.
Juta Racing will also contest the event with Lutz Obermann, Andres Latorre and Leonardas Dirzys. The team has yet to name its fourth driver.
Meanwhile, Peter and Nicolas Guelinckx will continue their father-and-son programme with HAAS RT, although the squad has not yet confirmed which car they will race.
Porsche introduces new and returning challengers
Proton Competition will lead Porsche’s challenge with its 911 GT3 R (992) EVO. Reigning Drivers’ Champion Manuel Lauck joins Constantin Dressler, Jörg Dreisow and Joel Sturm in the experienced German squad’s entry. Lauck’s endurance experience could prove particularly valuable at a circuit where much of the field enters without previous Michelin 24H SERIES race data.
New team Up2Race will also make its championship debut with another Porsche 911 GT3 R. Oleksiy Kikireshko, Tim Heinemann and Fabio Grosse form the team’s initial driver line-up.
The newcomer faces a difficult first assignment. However, the Nürburgring’s unfamiliarity across the wider field could reduce the usual advantage enjoyed by established teams.
Ferrari brings two different 296 GT3 packages
Two Ferrari entries will add further variety to the GT3 field. Era Motorsport will compete with the latest Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO for Dwight Merriman, Oliver Bryant, Ryan Dalziel and Jake Hill.
The line-up combines experienced endurance competitors with proven professional speed. Therefore, the team could emerge as a major contender if it adapts quickly to the new EVO package and the race’s split format.
Pellin Racing will field the previous-generation Ferrari 296 GT3 for Lisa Clark, Kyle Marcelli, Jeff Westphal and Massimo Perrina.
Both Ferrari squads will aim to give the Italian manufacturer its first outright victory of the 2026 European Series campaign.
Aston Martin and Lamborghini complete varied GT3 field
E2P Racing will represent Aston Martin with a Vantage AMR GT3 EVO for Pablo Burguera, Antonio Sainero and Oliver Campos. The Spanish squad adds another manufacturer to a field that already includes Mercedes-AMG, Audi, Porsche and Ferrari.
ARC Bratislava completes the confirmed GT3 line-up with its Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO.
Brothers Matej and Adam Konopka will share the car with their father Miroslav Konopka and Zdeno Mikulasko. The family-based team brings extensive CREVENTIC experience and will look to use that knowledge during the championship’s first Nürburgring visit.
Unknowns create opportunity at maiden Nürburgring event
The inaugural Michelin 12H Nürburgring introduces several challenges that could disrupt the established competitive order.
Teams must learn how tyre performance, fuel strategy and traffic patterns develop during the two-part race. Furthermore, the Grand Prix Circuit’s mixture of technical corners, heavy braking zones and fast direction changes will demand a balanced set-up.
The German weather could also play a role. Sudden changes in temperature or rainfall often influence Nürburgring events, which could place an even greater emphasis on strategy and driver adaptability.
With three different outright winners from the opening three rounds, no team has yet established complete control of the season.
GetSpeed enters the weekend with the championship lead and home advantage. However, HOFOR and Saintéloc remain close behind, while Ajith RedAnt Racing continues to apply pressure through consistent results.
Meanwhile, the arrival of new and returning Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lamborghini entries increases the possibility of a fourth different manufacturer reaching the top step.
The Michelin 12H Nürburgring therefore represents more than a new addition to the calendar. It provides a pivotal stage for the 2026 title fight, with only one further opportunity remaining after the chequered flag falls in Germany.
