The 57th Adenauer ADAC Rundstrecken-Trophy delivered a gripping four-hour spectacle at the Nürburgring, where strategy, penalties, and relentless on-track battles defined 2026 NLS3. Schubert Motorsport claimed victory with their No. 77 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, overcoming intense pressure and capitalising on the costly penalty suffered by the pole-sitting KCMG Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.
Chaotic Qualifying sets the stage for 2026 NLS3 Race
Qualifying began at 08:30 local time, but the session immediately tested drivers’ resolve. The No. 312 Porsche 982 Turbo stranded just minutes in, only returning near the end to claim second in the SP3T class.
David Pittard’s blistering 7:52.393 lap in the No. 47 KCMG Mercedes secured provisional pole within the first half hour. Behind him, Marco Wittmann’s No. 77 Schubert Motorsport BMW and the No. 33 Krämer Racing Audi rounded out the top three. Unfortunately for the Audi, a power unit failure curtailed their race hopes before the start.
Pro-Am contenders also impressed, with the No. 23 Gamota Racing BMW showing strong pace, while Lamborghini and Porsche entries disrupted traditional GT3 hierarchies. Notably, the No. 7 Konrad Motorsport Lamborghini Huracan broke into the top five, and the Black Falcon Porsche claimed the leading Am position, emphasising the unpredictability of the Nürburgring.
Early race battles and strategic gambles sets stage for exciting 2026 NLS3
The race began with Pittard leading from pole, while the No. 7 Lamborghini and No. 23 BMW quickly moved up the order. The No. 33 Audi, unable to resolve its technical issues, retired before the race began.
Early Code 60 incidents, including stoppages for the No. 111 BMW 325i and the No. 899 BMW M2, created gaps and disrupted rhythm. Meanwhile, the No. 911 Manthey Porsche, starting 15th, surged to 11th by the end of the opening lap, showcasing Ayhancan Güven’s aggressive driving.
Strategic early stops by the No. 77 BMW and No. 911 Porsche allowed them to reduce minimum pit times later, placing both cars at the front by the two-hour mark, a move that would prove decisive.
Mid-race drama and mechanical woes
Traffic and tactical manoeuvres dominated the middle stages. The No. 23 BMW overtook the No. 7 Lamborghini, asserting its Pro-Am strength. However, collisions and mechanical failures continued to test the field. The No. 491 Hyundai i30N crashed after contact with the No. 902 Porsche, while the Z4 GT3 suffered terminal suspension damage, highlighting the Nürburgring’s unforgiving nature.
The No. 44 Falken Porsche experienced both a penalty and a puncture, yet mechanics managed a remarkable roadside tyre change at Höhe Acht, allowing the car to continue despite dropping to 82nd overall.
Final hour: penalties and position swaps
In the final hour, strategic pit stops and penalties reshuffled the top positions. The No. 47 KCMG Mercedes initially regained the lead but served an 85-second penalty for a Code 60 infraction, handing the advantage to Schubert Motorsport’s BMW.
Ayhancan Güven’s Porsche overcame a Ford Mustang to claim second place, despite minor contact, while Moritz Kranz defended the No. 23 BMW from relentless Ford pressure. The closing laps witnessed intense intra-class battles, particularly in Cup 2, before yellow flags secured class victories.
Schubert Motorsport secures 2026 NLS3 victory
Robin Frijns crossed the finish line in the No. 77 BMW M4 GT3 EVO to secure BMW’s second consecutive NLS victory, joined by co-drivers Philipp Eng and Marco Wittmann. The No. 911 Manthey Porsche and No. 65 HRT Ford completed the podium, recovering impressively from grid positions outside the top 10.
Despite a strong performance, the No. 47 KCMG Mercedes finished fourth due to its late penalty, illustrating how critical Code 60 compliance can be. Rounding out the top five, the No. 75 Max Kruse Audi claimed the AT 1 class for alternative fuel cars, while the Pro-Am victory went to the No. 23 BMW.
Looking ahead
The Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie continues next weekend with the 24h Qualifiers. Both Saturday and Sunday will feature four-hour races, providing further opportunities for drivers to secure Nordschleife ‘A Permits’ and for teams to hone strategies ahead of the endurance classic.
