– The GT World Challenge powered by AWS is back this weekend (August 28-30). A three-hour Endurance Cup race at the Nürburgring marks the decisive phase of the 2026 season.
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55 cars from 10 manufacturers compete for victory on the traditional Eifel track. On the calendar since 2012, the Nürburgring is hosting a GT World Challenge event for the 15th time. For the first time this season, titles can be awarded here.
Two months earlier, the Porsche team Lionspeed GP made history at the prestigious CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa: from the back of the 69-car field, the team drove to a sensational victory.
However, the highest scorer was Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter, which finished second in the Ardennes with an almost perfect performance. Maro Engel, Lucas Auer, and Luca Stolz finished second in all three Endurance Cup races and now lead with 41 points with a maximum of 52 points still to be awarded.
This means they can secure the drivers’ title this weekend. A place in the top four at the Nürburgring would be enough, regardless of the competition’s result.
Preview GT World Challenge powered by AWS at Nürburgring
It would be the ideal setting for a title celebration. Mercedes-AMG is competing on home ground, and Engel and Stolz are German. Although the team races under the US flag, its European base is less than 100 kilometers from the Nürburgring.
Despite the large lead, Team Mann-Filter takes nothing for granted. Last year, the team traveled to the finale with a comfortable points buffer but lost the title after a dramatic final race.
“We are all experienced enough to know when to take risks and when not to,” says Auer, who, together with the 2018 champions Engel and Stolz, is aiming for his first Endurance Cup title. “We are going to the Nürburgring to attack, have as much fun as possible, and get the maximum out of it. We know that in motorsport it’s not over until it’s really over. That’s why it’s not wise to talk too much about the title. But of course, we are in a very good position.”
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The biggest competition comes from Comtoyou Racing with Thiim/Sörensen/Drudi. The Aston Martin team won the Endurance Cup opener at Circuit Paul Ricard and also showed strong pace at last year’s Nürburgring event. With a win, the Belgian team could start a comeback.
Five more crews are in the race. Garage 59 (McLaren) and Spa winners Lionspeed GP need at least a podium to keep their chances alive. For Tresor Attempto Racing (Audi) as well as the BMW teams ROWE Racing and Team WRT, only a win counts. The latter can draw confidence from last year when the BMW M4 GT3 EVO was the fastest package.
Besides the overall victory, the Gold Cup also promises excitement. Garage 59 leads ROWE Racing by only eight points there. Since both teams are closely matched in performance, the decision will likely come at the Endurance Cup finale in Portimao.
Team WRT is on course for the Silver Cup title. The young crew Cordeel/Lismont/Montenegro leads by 28 points. Another strong result could secure the title early; Tresor Attempto Racing and Pure Rxcing (Porsche) are the most likely to prevent this.
In the Bronze Cup, defending champion Kessel Racing leads by 22 points after the Ferrari with number 74 scored maximum points in Spa: class pole and leading after six, twelve, and 24 hours. Season regulars Dustin Blattner and Dennis Marschall can thus secure their second consecutive title one round before the end of the season.
Besides the three-hour Endurance Cup race on Sunday afternoon, there are support races at the Nürburgring for the Lamborghini Super Trofeo, GT3 Revival Series, and Mazda MX-5 Cup Benelux. Fans get closer to the action during the pit stop training on Saturday as well as the pit walk and autograph session on Sunday. Tickets start at 10 euros including access to the paddock and grandstands.
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Those who cannot come to the track can follow the action live on GT World. On Saturday, Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2 will be broadcast, on Sunday qualifying and the three-hour race. Current news and livestream links are available during the event on the official social media channels of the GT World Challenge.
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