The final classification from the second 2026 GTWC Europe Sprint Cup race at Misano remains unresolved more than a month after the event following an appeal from Winward Racing against the disqualification of its No. 48 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO.
Lucas Auer and Maro Engel originally finished third in the 19 July contest, repeating their podium result from Race 1. However, post-race technical checks raised questions over the legality of a wheel bearing fitted to the Mercedes-AMG, eventually leading the Stewards to disqualify the car on 28 August.
Winward subsequently notified officials of its intention to appeal. The Stewards have since granted a suspensive effect, meaning the disqualification will not take effect while the appeal process continues. As a result, Auer and Engel currently retain their third-place classification, although the final Misano result remains subject to the outcome of the case.
Post-race inspection triggers Winward investigation
Auer and Engel crossed the line third at Misano in Race 2 behind the winning No. 32 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 EVO of Charles Weerts and Kelvin van der Linde and the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing entry of Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon.
The result gave Winward consecutive podiums across the weekend after the No. 48 also finished third in Race 1. The official GTWC Europe results continue to list Auer and Engel in that position while the appeal remains active.
However, officials identified a potential technical infringement during the post-race inspection of the No. 48. The subsequent investigation centred on the car’s wheel bearing and eventually resulted in a Stewards’ hearing on 28 August, almost six weeks after the race.
According to Decision No. 77, officials established that the sealing lips on the wheel bearing fitted to the car had been cut on both sides. The Stewards determined that the modification breached Articles 507.1 and 507.2 of the GTWC Europe Sporting Regulations and Article 1.12 of the Balance of Performance document issued for the Misano event.
They consequently disqualified the No. 48 from Race 2 and initially ordered every car classified behind it to move up one position.
Winward challenges interpretation of Misano regulations
Winward disputed the regulatory basis for the disqualification during the hearing rather than the physical condition of the component itself.
The team argued that the word “bearing” did not specifically appear in Article 1.12 of the Misano Balance of Performance document. It contrasted that wording with the corresponding document used at Brands Hatch, which did explicitly reference the component.
However, the Stewards rejected that argument after twice suspending the hearing to receive further clarification from the Technical Director.
Officials determined that Article 1.12 did not require teams to rely solely on the list of component names contained within the BoP document. Instead, the regulation instructed competitors to check with their manufacturer regarding the relevant homologated components.
The Technical Director explained that the terminology covering the “axle, steering, suspension” area deliberately reflected the structure of the FIA and DTM GT3 homologation forms, where the wheel bearing falls under Article 6.3.
The Stewards therefore concluded that the absence of the specific word “bearing” from the Misano document did not create the regulatory ambiguity claimed by Winward.
Stewards reject Winward’s regulatory defence
The hearing also examined whether Winward had sought clarification from Mercedes-AMG before using the modified component.
According to the written decision, the Stewards asked the team directly whether it had consulted the manufacturer. The representatives responded “maybe yes, maybe no” and did not provide evidence showing that the required enquiry had taken place.
That point became significant because the Stewards considered consultation with the manufacturer an explicit responsibility under Article 1.12 rather than a formality.
Without evidence that Winward had completed that step, the officials concluded that the team had not demonstrated a reasonable basis for believing the modification complied with the regulations.
They therefore upheld the infringement and decided that insufficient mitigating circumstances existed to justify a penalty below disqualification.
The Stewards also extended the deadline for Winward to notify its intention to appeal until 14:00 on 29 August. They cited the team’s participation in the Nürburgring event and the need to provide sufficient time to consider and prepare its response.
Appeal suspends disqualification
Winward formally notified the Stewards of its intention to appeal at 10:24 on 29 August, comfortably before the extended deadline.
That action did not immediately overturn Decision No. 77. Instead, Winward requested the benefit of a suspensive effect while the appeal proceeds.
The Stewards granted that request under Article 12.3.3 of the FIA International Sporting Code. Decision No. 78 therefore temporarily suspends the Race 2 disqualification until the appeal process reaches its conclusion.
Consequently, the No. 48 currently remains classified third at Misano. The official GTWC Europe website continues to show Auer and Engel on the Race 2 podium, reflecting the present status of the case.
Sportscar365 reports that the appeal will go before the RACB National Court of Appeal, although officials have yet to confirm a hearing date.
Rossi and Hesse could inherit Misano podium
The outcome could change more than Winward’s result. Valentino Rossi and Max Hesse finished directly behind Auer and Engel in the No. 46 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Auer passed the BMW during the closing stages to secure the final podium position on the road.
If the appeals process ultimately confirms the disqualification, Rossi and Hesse would move from fourth to third. Every other classified finisher behind the No. 48 would similarly gain one position, in accordance with the original Stewards’ decision.
However, if Winward successfully overturns the penalty, the existing classification would stand and Auer and Engel would retain their second podium of the Misano weekend.
The official result therefore remains effectively frozen while the appeal continues.
Championship implications add importance to appeal
The case also carries significant championship consequences.
Auer and Engel currently lead the overall GTWC Europe Drivers’ standings with 114.5 points, while Winward Racing heads the Teams’ standings on 116. The championship’s official classifications continue to include the Misano Race 2 result while the disqualification remains suspended.
Ricardo Feller and Bastian Buus sit second in the Drivers’ Championship for Lionspeed GP, while Team WRT remains Winward’s nearest challenger in the Teams’ classification. Removing the No. 48’s Misano points would therefore reduce the advantage Auer, Engel and Winward currently carry into the decisive stages of the season.
That makes the outcome particularly important as GTWC Europe reaches the final part of its 2026 campaign.
For now, Winward retains the points and podium associated with the Misano result. The Stewards’ original finding remains in place, but its sporting consequences cannot take effect until the appeal process determines whether the No. 48 Mercedes-AMG should remain third or disappear from the Race 2 classification altogether.
