The official entry list for the 2026 ADAC Ravenol 24h Nürburgring (May 14–17) has finally dropped, and it confirms what fans have suspected for months: this is the largest and most star-studded field in over a decade. After years of a strict 150-car limit, organizers have expanded the grid to 161 entries, a feat made possible by teams voluntarily reducing their paddock footprints to accommodate the surge in demand. At the sharp end of the spear, the SP9 (GT3) class is bulging with 41 cars, featuring a “who’s who” of world-class driving talent and nine different manufacturers. This expansion marks the largest starting field since 2014, signaling a massive vote of confidence in the Nordschleife’s unique endurance format.
The Verstappen Effect: F1 Meets the Nordschleife
The biggest headline of the 2026 race is the debut of three-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen. Competing under the Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing banner (supported by Winward), Max will pilot a Mercedes-AMG GT3 alongside a powerhouse crew including Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon, and Daniel Juncadella. This isn’t just a PR stunt; Verstappen has been a regular fixture in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) earlier this season, honing his “Nordschleife Permitting” and proving his pace against GT3 specialists. His presence has sparked a global surge in ticket sales, with organizers preparing for record-breaking crowds eager to see if F1’s dominant force can master the world’s most dangerous track.
The Titans of the Eifel: 2026’s Key Contenders
The battle for the overall win is set to be a brutal sprint between factory-backed giants and legendary privateers. Manthey Racing returns with the iconic #911 “Grello” Porsche 911 GT3 R, fielding an unchanged, elite trio of Kévin Estre, Ayhancan Güven, and Thomas Preining as they hunt for a record-breaking eighth title in the team’s 30th anniversary year. They face stiff competition from defending winners ROWE Racing, who have brought two BMW M4 GT3 Evos; the #1 car features Augusto Farfus, Raffaele Marciello, and Kelvin van der Linde, while the #99 “Junior” car sees the return of Dan Harper, Max Hesse and veteran Dries Vanthoor to the 24h grid. Porsche’s attack is further bolstered by Lionspeed GP, who have secured a “dream team” lineup of Laurens Vanthoor, Laurin Heinrich, and Ricardo Feller. Meanwhile, the Ferrari hopes rest on the #45 296 GT3 from Kondo Racing, which has shown blistering pace in the qualifiers with David Perel and Dennis Marschall. Not to be ignored, Scherer Sport PHX remains the Audi vanguard with Christopher Haase, Alexander Sims and Ben Green, and HRT Ford Racing brings American muscle to the fight with a three-car Mustang GT3 entry led by Christopher Mies.
Beyond the GT3 Battle: Fan Favorites and Innovation
While the 41 GT3 cars will fight for the overall lead, the rest of the 161-car field is packed with the variety that makes the Nürburgring special. The SP-X class is a particular highlight this year, featuring the factory-entered BMW M3 Touring 24H—a high-performance wagon that transitioned from an April Fool’s joke to a legitimate racing project. It will go wheel-to-wheel with three examples of the HWA Evo R, a modern reimagining of the classic Mercedes 190E DTM car. Down the order, the “People’s Champion”—the Ollis Garage Dacia Logan—is officially back to defend its status as the most cheered car on the grid. From the high-tech KTM X-Bow GTX to the 32-car-strong GT4 (SP10) field, the 2026 entry list ensures that every corner of the 25-kilometer circuit will have a story to tell.