BMW M Motorsport has finalised its works driver deployments for the 2026 GTWC Europe campaign, intending to defend titles and challenge on multiple fronts. While Team WRT had already confirmed its pairings, BMW has now detailed the full factory allocation, including a reinforced Endurance Cup effort with ROWE Racing.
Champions lead BMW-backed Team WRT 2026 GTWC Europe title defence as Rossi commits to full season
Reigning overall and Sprint Cup champions Kelvin van der Linde and Charles Weerts will once again pilot the #32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO for Team WRT. After dominating last season, the duo returns with the clear objective of retaining both crowns.
Nine-time motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi will therefore contest all ten rounds in the #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO. He will partner Max Hesse across Sprint and Endurance competitions, while Dan Harper strengthens the trio for longer races.
At the same time, Jordan Pepper takes on a dual role. He will support van der Linde and Weerts in endurance events and spearhead the #31 Sprint entry alongside Amaury Cordeel.
BMW M Motorsport confirms 2026 GTWC Europe strategy
BMW stated:
“BMW M Motorsport will be chasing titles in the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS in 2026 with a top-class line-up. The reigning champions, Kelvin van der Linde (RSA) and Charles Weerts (BEL), will once again compete for Team WRT. The duo, who triumphed in both the overall championship and the Sprint Cup last season, will drive the #32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO as they did in 2025.
ROWE Racing will fight for titles in the Endurance Cup with six BMW M works drivers, and Valentino Rossi (ITA) will contest all ten rounds of the season for Team WRT. The Italian, who triumphed as a guest starter at his home races at Misano (ITA) for the past three years, will share the #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO in both the Sprint and Endurance Cup with Max Hesse (GER) in the Pro category. For the five endurance rounds, Dan Harper (GBR) will join the Italian-German duo. BMW M Motorsport newcomer Jordan Pepper (RSA) will support van der Linde and Weerts in the Endurance Cup races in the #32 car.
In the sprint races, Pepper will drive the #31 BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Alongside Amaury Cordeel (BEL), the South African will compete in the Pro Cup at Brands Hatch (GBR), Misano, Magny-Cours (FRA), Zandvoort (NED), and Barcelona (ESP) – completing the impressive line-up with which Team WRT launches its mission to defend the title. The Belgian squad won the team trophies in the Sprint Cup and overall standings in 2025.
ROWE Racing targets Endurance success with BMW in 2026 GTWC campaign
ROWE Racing’s Pro-class #98 entry brings together Raffaele Marciello, Augusto Farfus and Jake Dennis. The trio combines proven endurance pedigree with recent race-winning form.
Meanwhile, the #998 Gold Cup entry blends experience and youth. Jens Klingmann leads the line alongside Ugo de Wilde and GT debutant Tim Tramnitz, who graduates from a successful single-seater career.
BMW stated:
With six BMW M works drivers and two cars, ROWE Racing is also fighting for titles in the Endurance Cup: Augusto Farfus (BRA), Raffaele Marciello (SUI), and Jake Dennis (GBR) will compete in the Pro Cup for the team from St. Ingbert (GER). Farfus and Marciello triumphed for ROWE Racing in last season’s three-hour race at the Nürburgring (GER) and finished on the podium at the season finale at Barcelona (ESP). The identity design of their #98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO will shine in the upcoming season – as already seen at the FIA GT World Cup in Macau (CHN) 2025 – in white, red, and black. Jens Klingmann (GER), Ugo de Wilde (BEL), and Tim Tramnitz (GER) – alongside Pepper, the second newcomer to the BMW M works driver line-up – will compete in the #998 BMW M4 GT3 EVO in the Gold Cup.”
Expanded customer programme
In addition, Century Motorsport, Paradine Competition and Team WRT will each field another BMW M4 GT3 EVO in the Endurance Cup, with Paradine entering two cars in the long-distance rounds. KPX Motorsport joins Paradine Competition and Team WRT in running Sprint Cup entries.
Consequently, BMW M Motorsport enters 2026 with depth across Pro and Gold categories, experienced champions at the front and ambitious newcomers eager to impress. With defending titles and fresh opportunities on the line, the Bavarian marque positions itself firmly at the centre of the GT3 fight.
