Porsche Aims for Nürburgring 24 Hours Glory in the 'Green Hell'

May 12
3 min read

Porsche is gearing up for a strong challenge at the iconic 24 Hours of Nürburgring, often dubbed the 'Green Hell'. With a significant presence and a fleet of its latest 911 GT3 R race cars, the German manufacturer is setting its sights on overall victory in this demanding endurance race.

Key Takeaways

Porsche is the most strongly represented manufacturer with approximately 60 race cars across various classes.
Thirteen of the latest specification Porsche 911 GT3 R cars will compete in the highly competitive SP9 class.
Nine former Porsche Juniors are among the professional drivers piloting top-tier cars in the SP9 category.

Porsche's Strong Contingent in the SP9 Class

The SP9 class, featuring vehicles that comply with FIA GT3 regulations, is the most competitive category with 41 cars from nine manufacturers. Porsche customer teams are fielding the largest contingent, with 13 of the latest Porsche 911 GT3 R models. Six of these cars boast all-professional driver lineups and are considered strong contenders for the win.

The Manthey team, a notable Porsche customer, has already shown its potential by securing third place in the 'Qualifier' race with their 911, affectionately known as 'Grello'. Other teams like Dunlop Motorsport, Falken Motorsports, Lionspeed GP, and Dinamic GT are also entering the fray with all-Pro lineups in their 911 GT3 R machines.

Focus on Customer Teams and Technological Advancements

Michael Dreiser, Head of Sales at Porsche Motorsport, highlighted the brand's commitment to its customer teams. "The record number of 13 Porsche 911 GT3 R cars in the SP9 class confirms our consistent focus on the needs of our customer teams," he stated. The 2026 evolution of the 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 R features numerous improvements over its predecessor. Recent NLS races and the qualifying race have indicated a particularly strong field this year, with Porsche's chances being wide-ranging across different tire brands. Dreiser expressed hope for a bit of luck, which has been elusive in previous Nürburgring campaigns.

The Legendary Nürburgring and Its Significance

The 24 Hours of Nürburgring, now in its 54th year, is expected to draw over 200,000 spectators. The race utilizes a 25.378-kilometer track combining the historic Nordschleife with the modern Grand Prix circuit, featuring over 70 corners and challenging gradients. For Porsche, the Nürburgring holds immense significance, as all its road cars are tested on the approximately 20-kilometer Nordschleife, where Porsche also holds the absolute lap record.

Where to Watch the Action

Fans can follow the entire 24-hour race live on the German free-to-air channel Nitro. Qualifying sessions will be streamed on RTL+, and a free live stream and live timing will be available on the official race website, www.24h-rennen.de/live/. Trackside updates will also be provided via Radio Nürburgring on FM frequency 87.7 MHz.

Driver Perspectives

Several drivers shared their anticipation for the event:

Laurin Heinrich (Porsche 911 GT3 R #24): Expressed excitement about returning to the Nürburgring 24 Hours and confidence in his team's strong package.
Klaus Bachler (Porsche 911 GT3 R #44): Looking forward to his tenth Nürburgring 24-hour race, anticipating a tough competition and praising the reliability of the Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Bastian Buus (Porsche 911 GT3 R #54): Hopes for an even better result than last year's third place, aiming to fight for the top positions.
Ayhancan Güven (Porsche 911 GT3 R #911): Coming directly from the World Endurance Championship, he is focused on winning the Eifel classic after finishing second in the past two years.

Race Schedule (CEST)

Thursday, May 14: Qualifying 1 (13:15-15:15), Qualifying 2 (20:00-23:30)
Friday, May 15: Top Qualifying sessions and Qualifying 3 throughout the day.
Saturday, May 16: Warm-up (10:00-11:00), Grid formation (12:45-14:40), Race start (15:00)
Sunday, May 17: Race finish (15:00)