Max Verstappen’s biggest rivals in the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours

Q: Who are Max Verstappen's main rivals in the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours?

The article provides an assessment of the primary rivals competing against Max Verstappen in the race.

Q: What makes the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours significant in motorsport?

The 2026 edition is notable for its record number of entries, with over 40 cars, making it one of the most prestigious events.

Q: What is the SP9 GT3 Pro category in the Nurburgring 24 Hours?

The SP9 GT3 Pro category features the strongest driver lineups among the 22 cars entered in the race.

Q: Which teams are considered dark horses in the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours?

The article discusses potential dark horse teams that could surprise in the race, alongside the favorites.

Motorsport photo

An overall win at the Nurburgring 24 Hours is not only one of the most prestigious crowns in international motorsport, but the 2026 edition promises to be more thrilling than ever. With more than 40 cars entered, the GT3 field is larger than it has ever been.

As Max Verstappen prepares to line up for the start of the race for the first time, who are the Formula 1 star's primary rivals in the hunt for victory? And which teams are more likely to be dark horses? Our check on some of the favourites lining up for this year’s race provides an assessment of the hierarchy ahead of the weekend.

We have limited this analysis to the 22 cars entered in the SP9 GT3 Pro category, which, on paper, boast the strongest driver lineups. The rating is based on a scale of one to five: from outsider to absolute top favourite.

The evaluation considers the complete package: How fast is the car? How much quality and experience does the team have on the Nordschleife? What is the potential of the driver lineup? And finally: Which tyres are the teams running?

Tyres, in particular, could be a decisive factor. For years, Michelin has been the benchmark on the Nordschleife. Especially in the predicted cold or wet conditions, the French manufacturer's tyres could hold an advantage over the competition.

Furthermore, this assessment refers exclusively to race chances. Past events have repeatedly shown that several outsider teams can cause a surprise in qualifying with a single fast driver. However, for the overall victory, a balanced combination of fast pilots with sufficient Nordschleife experience is essential.

As always with editorial assessments: they cannot claim absolute objectivity and remain, to an extent, subjective. Here are the cars to watch out for in the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours.

Rowe-BMW #1

Drivers: Farfus/Marciello/Pepper/K. van der Linde
Rating: 5.0 out of 5

The defending champions are among the top favourites again this year, especially since three of the four winning drivers from last year remain on board.

Winward Mercedes #3

#3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO: Max Verstappen, Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon

Drivers: Verstappen/Auer/Gounon/Juncadella)
Rating: 5.0 out of 5

The crew centred around Max Verstappen will be under more scrutiny than any other team and is expected to have a major say in the fight for victory. The F1 star is second to none when it comes to pace compared to Nordschleife aces.

Konrad Lamborghini #7

Drivers: Paul/Lefterov/Stalidzane/Engelhardt)
Rating: 1.0 out of 5

The upgrade to the Evo2 version of the Lamborghini is certainly progress. However, the driver lineup has relatively little GT3 experience on the Nordschleife. A top-10 finish would be a success.

Scherer-Phx Audi #16

24h Nürburgring Qualifiers: Scherer-Phx-Audi Wins – Bad Luck for Verstappen

Drivers: Haase/Sims/B. Green
Rating: 4.6 out of 5

In 2026, the blue Audi must still be considered in the fight for the overall win. Slight deductions are made due to Ben Green's relatively low Nordschleife experience.

Dunlop Racing Porsche #17

Drivers: Picariello/Boccolacci/Menzel/Andlauer
Rating: 3.3 out of 5

The quality of the car, the operational team, and the drivers is beyond question. However, the Dunlop tyres could be a disadvantage — especially if it gets wet, which is quite likely.

Lionspeed Porsche #24

#24 Lionspeed GP Porsche 911 GT3 R (992): Antares Au Hongkong, Patric Niederhauser, Patrick Kolb, Indy Dontje

Drivers: Heinrich/L. Vanthoor/Feller
Rating: 3.6 out of 5

Three lightning-fast factory drivers in a Porsche — and yet more of a "dark horse" than a top favourite. This is because Lionspeed is competing for the overall win on the Nordschleife for the first time.

Prosport Mercedes #26

Drivers: Christodoulou/Grenier/Lulham/Bockmann
Rating: 2.3 out of 5

A solid combination of team, car, and drivers, but competing in this arrangement at the 24h race for the first time. Therefore, they have an outside chance.

Walkenhorst Aston Martin #34

#34 Walkenhorst Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO: Christian Krognes, David Pittard, Nicki Thiim, Mattia Drudi

Drivers: Krognes/Thiim/Drudi/Fernandez Laser
Rating: 3.0 out of 5

Walkenhorst is still waiting for a major breakthrough on the Nordschleife with the Aston Martin Vantage. The Pirelli tyres are a question mark here, even though the driver lineup is top-tier.

Falken Porsche #44

Drivers: Heinemann/S. Muller/Schuring/Bachler)
Rating: 4.0 out of 5

The Falken squad has been a staple on the Nordschleife for years. While a major win is still missing at the 24h race, the team must definitely be counted among the extended circle of favourites in 2026.

Kondo Ferrari #45

#45 Kondo Racing with Rinaldi Ferrari 296 GT3: Thierry Vermeulen

Drivers: Perel/Marschall/Vermeulen/Neubauer
Rating: 3.6 out of 5

A fast car with fast drivers that could cause a surprise, especially in qualifying. But can the team maintain this level over 24 hours?

KCMG Mercedes #47

Drivers: Fukuzumi/Krohn/Pittard/Gamou)
Rating: 2.3 out of 5

A top placement in qualifying is possible here as well. However, the driver lineup is too unbalanced to intervene in the fight for the overall win.

Dinamic Porsche #54

#54 Dinamic Porsche 911 GT3 R (992): Marco Holzer, Marco Seefried, Bastian Buus, Marvin Dienst

Drivers: Sturm/Christensen/Buus/Hartog
Rating: 2.6 out of 5

Dinamic now possesses a lot of experience on the Nordschleife, but the Pirelli tyres could be a limiting factor here too.

Dinamic-Porsche #55

Drivers: Beretta/Ghiretti/Sturm/Hartog
Rating: 1.6 out of 5

The second Dinamic Porsche appears slightly weaker in terms of drivers than its sister car and is therefore likely to have only outside chance this weekend.

HRT Ford #64

#64 HRT Ford Racing Ford Mustang GT3: Dennis Olsen, Christopher Mies, Broc Feeney

Drivers: Olsen/Mies/Vervisch/Maini
Rating: 3.3 out of 5

Based on the driver lineup alone, this Mustang is the Ford car with the best chances. The question mark is the Yokohama tyres, which could be at a disadvantage compared to the Michelin benchmark in cold or damp conditions.

HRT Ford #67

Drivers: Stippler/Maini/F. Scherer/Schumacher
Rating: 2.3 out of 5

With Frank Stippler, an absolute Nordschleife ace is in the car, but this Mustang crew is rated slightly weaker than its sister car.

Dorr McLaren #69

Ben Dorr, Dorr Motorsport McLaren 720S EVO GT3

Drivers: Dorr/Kirchhofer/Glock/Scheider
Rating: 1.6 out of 5

Certainly a fan favourite due to the livery and the two "Timos" (Glock and Scheider), the McLaren has not been a winning car on the Nordschleife so far. The team also has significantly less experience there than many of its competitors.

Schubert BMW #77

Drivers: Weerts/Wittmann/Eng/Frijns
Rating: 4.3 out of 5

Fundamentally a crew that belongs in the inner circle of favourites. Compared to Rowe, however, we are not giving full marks due to the Yokohama tyres.

Winward Mercedes #80

Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG Team WINWARD Mercedes-AMG GT3

Drivers: Engel/Schiller/Stolz/Martin
Rating: 5.0 out of 5

Fast car, fast drivers with Nordschleife experience: The second Winward Mercedes is also a hot candidate for the overall victory.

Abt Lamborghini #84

Drivers: Engstler/Bortolotti/Niederhauser
Rating: 3.6 out of 5

The successful team from the Allgau region has often been fast on the Nordschleife with the Huracan, but it hasn't been enough for the big win yet. Part of the extended circle of favourites.

Rowe BMW #99

#98 Rowe Racing BMW M4 GT3 EVO: Augusto Farfus, Jesse Krohn, Raffaele Marciello

Drivers: Harper/Hesse/S. van der Linde/D. Vanthoor)
Rating: 5.0 out of 5

Four factory drivers, an experienced team, and a proven car: There is no reason why the second Rowe BMW should not fight for the overall win.

Abt Lamborghini #130

Drivers: Mapelli/Catsburg/Yelloly
Rating: 3.6 out of 5

Similar to the sister car, an overall victory would be a surprise — also because, with the exception of 2023, the 24h race has long been firmly in the grip of German manufacturers.

Manthey Porsche #911 "Grello"

#911 Manthey Porsche 911: Thomas Preining, Klaus Bachler, Ricardo Feller

Drivers: Estre/Preining/Guven
Rating: 5.0 out of 5

One of the most successful Nordschleife teams, a fast car, and three drivers beyond any doubt. "Grello" remains among the narrowest circle of contenders for the overall win in 2026.