The countdown to the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring from May 14 to 17, 2026, is particularly exciting this year. Numerous high-profile projects have been announced for this year and promise a fierce battle at the front: The Rowe Racing team, starting with car number #1, will be chased by dozens of GT3s, with the crème de la crème of endurance specialists behind the wheel. At least eight brands (Audi, Aston Martin, BMW, Ford, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche) and more teams in the top class than in previous years are expected to be on the starting grid by the end of the entry period (late April). Added to this are other classes with strong lineups, ranging from beefy GTs to lightning-fast production cars, which will ensure a heart-pounding spectacle.

Adding an extra dose of excitement this year is the once again unpredictable Eifel weather, which thwarted the first race of the NLS (Nürburgring Endurance Series) season with a sudden onset of winter. Now, with the 24-hour race just around the corner, the endurance racing community has only two NLS races left, as well as the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers (April 17–19), which are also part of the NLS: a tight window of time given the meticulous preparations required, especially for the top teams, ahead of the endurance classic. And that even applies to a four-time Formula 1 world champion: Max Verstappen has announced his participation in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, sparking euphoria not only among his Dutch compatriots but also among many motorsport fans worldwide. He plans to personally put his racing team’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 through its paces during the second round of the NLS (March 21)—and will certainly face some additional competitors whose testing schedules have been thrown into disarray by the canceled season opener. Adding to the excitement is the fact that the 24 Hours is also on the line starting with the first NLS round. After all, the top spots for the decisive Top Qualifying 3 at the 24 Hours can be secured during the NLS rounds leading up to the season’s highlight. Up to three spots will be awarded based on qualifying and race performance in NLS Rounds 1 through 3, and up to three additional spots based on performance in the 24 Hours Qualifiers. This is an attractive prospect and an additional incentive for the teams, as GT3 teams that do not secure their spot before the 24-hour race must face a two-stage shoot-out, in which only the fastest cars advance to the next round. Pole position and the spots on the front rows of the grid are then determined only after the third Top Qualifying session.

Strong teams promise exciting battles at the front
The Verstappen Mercedes-AMG GT3 is one of the two spearheads of the Stuttgart-based team’s performance lineup. The sister car, sporting the colors of 24h main sponsor RAVENOL, will also be manned by excellent factory drivers. Last year’s winners from Rowe Racing also face a threat from within their own ranks, as the defending champions will field two cars again in 2026, after running just one car last year. The BMW factory lineup also includes the BMW M4 GT3 Evo from Schubert Motorsport. Joining the circle of top contenders are a number of Porsche teams, such as the two 911 GT3 Rs fielded by Schnabl in the colors of tire manufacturers Falken and Dunlop. Also already confirmed is the 911 from Team Dinamic GT, which finished in third place behind Rowe and Manthey in 2025. A number of other teams are also among the top contenders for the leading positions. These include the two latest-generation Lamborghinis from Abt Motorsport. Or the Ford Mustang GT3s, which still had to contend with teething problems here and there last year but have since long since matured into seasoned endurance racers.

Passion Projects and Fan Favorites Galore
Even outside the circle of overall victory contenders, cars are set to make their debut this year that are sure to capture the hearts of fans. There are, for example, the HWA Evos competing in the SP-X special class, whose design is inspired by the legendary 190 Evo2 Mercedes from the golden era of the DTM. Or the BMW M3 GT3 Touring 24h, also competing in the same class—marking the return of a race-ready station wagon to the 24 Hours of Nürburgring after many years. In the top class, the “Saugmotoren Motorsport” team has announced one of the almost legendary BMW Z4 GT3s, which fans and drivers still affectionately call “Zetti.” Added to this are the highly competitive classes, where thrilling battles for positions and trophies ensure plenty of action. Even though the 24 Hours of Nürburgring is not part of the PETN (Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring), the two Cup classes for the cars competing there are also expected to be highly competitive at the season’s highlight. And in the other “Special,” Cup, and production car classes as well, many teams have already announced their participation at the start of the season. This 54th edition of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring promises top-level racing and plenty of Nordschleife excitement.