The 2026 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup Drivers’ Championship has been decided a round early following a calculated performance at the 3 Hours of Nürburgring. The trio of Lucas Auer, Maro Engel, and Luca Stolz executed a flawless strategy behind the wheel of their iconic yellow-and-green “Mamba” Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, securing the points needed to wrap up the overall drivers’ title before the season finale.
Calculating the Title Run Entering the weekend with a commanding 41-point advantage in the Endurance Cup standings, Winward Racing’s No. 48 MANN-FILTER entry needed only to manage risks and secure a solid points haul. Qualifying eighth on the grid with a combined average time of 1:54.021, Maro Engel took the opening stint and immediately went to work. The German veteran found himself locked in a fierce early battle with Jordan Pepper’s No. 32 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3, trading positions while navigating the chaotic midfield on the 5.137-kilometer layout.
As the race progressed through clean handovers to Luca Stolz and Lucas Auer, the crew prioritized machine preservation over risky maneuvers for track position. While battles raged ahead for podium spots, Auer nursed the Mercedes-AMG through the technical 17-turn track during the final stint, crossing the line in fourth place.
A Milestone in Championship History
The result marks an unprecedented achievement in GT World Challenge Europe history: Auer, Engel, and Stolz wrapped up the overall Endurance Cup title without having won a single race outright during the campaign. Built on remarkable consistency—highlighted by podium performances at Circuit Paul Ricard and the 24 Hours of Spa—the squad became the first driver crew to seal the prestigious crown prior to the final round.