Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver Ralf Aron will make his competitive return during Saturday’s six-hour ADAC Ruhr-Pokal-Rennen, the seventh round of the 2026 Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS7).
The 28-year-old Estonian will share the #80 Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Luca Stolz. Winward Racing operates the Pro-class entry, which forms part of a 21-car SP9 field for the longest NLS race of the season.
Aron has not raced since suffering two fractured vertebrae during February’s Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour. After several months of rehabilitation and testing, he now feels ready to resume competition on the demanding Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Aron ready for 2027 NLS7 after intense five-month recovery
Aron sustained his injuries after colliding with Johannes Zelger’s stationary Porsche 911 GT3 R on the approach to Forrest’s Elbow at Bathurst. The incident followed a lack of flag signals, which prevented Aron from receiving sufficient warning about the stopped car.
The crash immediately interrupted his planned 2026 campaign and began a lengthy recovery process. However, Aron has now completed his rehabilitation, rebuilt his fitness and returned to the Mercedes-AMG GT3 through several tests.
“I’m incredibly happy to be making my racing comeback at NLS7, around five months after my accident in Bathurst,” Aron said.
“The past few months have been extremely intense – from the first days after the accident, to travelling back to Estonia, countless medical appointments, and coming to terms with the fact that I wouldn’t be able to complete the racing programme I had originally planned. Throughout that time, the whole motorsport community gave me tremendous strength.
“After months of rehabilitation and intensive training, I was finally able to get back behind the wheel for testing in May. From the very first lap, everything just felt right again. I’m even happier now that the time has finally come for my first race back – I’m ready.”
Aron’s comments underline both the physical and emotional demands of his recovery. The accident cost him several major racing opportunities, but support from across the motorsport community helped him work towards his return.
Bathurst crash disrupts planned 2026 programme
Aron had intended to contest several championships during 2026, including the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup.
However, the fractured vertebrae forced him to step away from competition and concentrate entirely on his recovery. Consequently, he missed the opening half of a season that should have featured regular GT3 appearances.
His absence also prevented him from continuing with the HRT-operated Grupo Prom Racing Team in GTWC Europe. Colin Caresani instead filled the position during the opening Endurance Cup rounds.
Although the enforced break altered Aron’s season, he resisted the temptation to rush his return. Instead, he completed the necessary medical assessments and gradually increased his training load before returning to a racing car.
Immendingen test marks first step back
Aron returned to the cockpit at Mercedes-AMG’s Immendingen test centre in May.
The private running allowed him to assess his physical condition in a controlled environment. Crucially, he felt comfortable from his first lap and encountered no problems that prevented him from continuing his preparations.
Aron subsequently travelled to China, where he supported UNO Racing during its preparations for the China GT Championship. That programme gave him additional mileage and allowed him to increase his workload before committing to a race weekend.
The tests also helped Aron reacquaint himself with the Mercedes-AMG GT3’s braking forces, steering loads and cockpit environment. Nevertheless, NLS7 will represent a more demanding challenge as he returns to traffic, competition and sustained race intensity.
Aron joins Nürburgring 24 winner Stolz for 2026 NLS7
Stolz will partner Aron in the #80 Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol entry.
The German returns to the car after sharing its Nürburgring 24 victory with Engel, Martin and Schiller in May. The quartet secured Mercedes-AMG’s first overall win at the event in 10 years.
Stolz therefore provides Aron with an experienced reference for his comeback. He knows the car, team and circuit exceptionally well, while his recent Nürburgring success reinforces the strength of the wider programme.
Moreover, Aron already possesses Nordschleife experience. He has previously contested the Nürburgring 24 and selected NLS events, so he can focus on rebuilding his race rhythm rather than learning the circuit.
Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol fields #80 Pro entry
The official NLS7 entry list confirms Stolz and Aron in the #80 Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol entry under the Winward Racing operation. The organisers have placed the car in the SP9 Pro category.
The entry will form part of a strong Mercedes-AMG presence at the six-hour event. Four Mercedes-AMG GT3s will contest the race, while Era Motorsport will make its debut with the manufacturer.
The depth of the SP9 field will immediately test Aron’s readiness. The leading class contains experienced factory drivers, Nürburgring specialists and several major GT3 manufacturers.
However, the six-hour duration should give Aron time to settle into the event. Rather than facing a short sprint with little margin for adjustment, he can progressively rebuild his rhythm across his stints.
Nordschleife provides demanding comeback venue
The Nürburgring Nordschleife ranks among the most demanding circuits in international motorsport.
Its lengthy lap, changing grip levels, compressions and constant traffic require physical endurance and total concentration. Therefore, Aron has selected a challenging environment for his first race since February.
Nevertheless, his circuit knowledge reduces some of the uncertainty. He understands the speed differences between classes, the importance of local yellow procedures and the need to manage risk across the Nordschleife.
The event will also allow him to test his recovery under genuine competitive conditions. Private running confirmed that he could drive without discomfort, but Saturday’s race will add traffic management, overtaking and sustained pressure.
NLS7 represents next step rather than final objective
Aron has not yet confirmed the remainder of his 2026 racing programme.
However, a successful return could create further opportunities in GT World Challenge Europe, the European Le Mans Series or other GT competitions later in the season.
The immediate objective remains straightforward. Aron must complete his first competitive weekend since Bathurst, rebuild confidence and demonstrate that he can perform without physical limitations.
Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol provides a strong setting for that return. The team enters NLS7 with recent Nürburgring success, an experienced co-driver and a car capable of challenging at the front.
Aron begins new chapter at 2026 NLS7
Saturday’s ADAC Ruhr-Pokal-Rennen will close a difficult five-month period for Aron and begin the next stage of his season.
The Bathurst accident forced him to abandon his original plans and undertake an extensive rehabilitation programme. However, his May return to testing and subsequent China GT preparation gave him the confidence to resume racing.
Aron now arrives at the Nürburgring fully focused on competition. Alongside Stolz and Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol, he will attempt to turn months of recovery work into a successful Nordschleife comeback when the six-hour race takes place on 1 August.
