• With second and third place, Manthey EMA finishes on the podium in both races of the 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers
• Under challenging, changeable conditions, the Porsche 911 GT3 R and Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport M from Manthey gathered important final data and insights on the 24-hour-specific track combination
• With Kévin Estre's outing, all drivers in the 24-hour line-up have now contested preparatory races in the Green Hell.

Nürburg. With a second and third place finish, Manthey EMA looks back on two successful four-hour races at the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers. Kévin Estre (France) and Patrick Pilet (France), who supported the team for the event, secured second place in Saturday's rainy evening race and moved up 14 positions to third place on Sunday. They thus continue Manthey EMA's podium streak on the Nordschleife, which has been ongoing since the start of the 2024 season. In typical Nürburgring changeable weather and day and night conditions, not only the Porsche 911 GT3 R but also the Manthey Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport M with starting number 718 clocked up valuable race kilometres in preparation for its debut at the endurance season highlight in the Green Hell from 21 to 22 June 2025.

Starting from pole position, Manthey EMA began the first race of the weekend at the Nürburgring. Kévin Estre secured the top spot with a qualifying best time of 8:09.063 minutes in his first outing in the Porsche 911 GT3 R for the 2025 season. The four-hour race into darkness was characterised from the very start by heavy rain and standing water on the 25.378-kilometre combination of the Grand Prix circuit and the Nordschleife. The team initially had chosen the wrong rain tyres for these conditions and, after coming into the pits twice for a tyre change within the first six laps of the race, initially dropped back to fourth place. However, Estre managed to regain the lead after just under three hours in the Grello Porsche being the fastest driver on the track. He handed over to his fellow Frenchman Patrick Pilet for the remaining distance, who rejoined the race in second place in darkening and still wet conditions. He held this position right to the chequered flag, securing Manthey EMA's first podium finish of the weekend.

Following the necessary repairs to the rear left wheel carrier of the No. 911 car on Sunday morning, which prevented it from participating in the top qualifying session, Manthey EMA began the second four-hour race of the weekend in 17th position on the grid. As the track was drying out at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Kévin Estre was called into the pits at the end of the formation lap to switch to slick tyres. This proved to be the right strategic move: with fresh tyres, the 911 made a strong comeback and at times even took the lead. Estre and Pilet, as well as the Manthey EMA crew, continued to deliver consistent and flawless performances throughout the rest of the race. After 27 laps, the duo finished the four-hour race in third place. Manthey EMA thus continues its successful run of podium finishes at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which has been ongoing since the start of the 2024 season.

Fielded by Manthey in collaboration with the Griesemann Group, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport M also seized the Qualifiers event as an opportunity to gather valuable data and experience ahead of its debut at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in just under four weeks' time. In Saturday's race, the number 718 car driven by Björn Griesemann, Georg Griesemann and Dirk Adorf secured an overall class victory in the alternative fuels category. Starting from 30th on the grid, they improved by ten positions to finish 20th overall. Conditions were more difficult for the Cayman in the second race of the weekend after an unfortunate collision at the start and necessary repairs in the pits. Despite this early setback, the Griesemann brothers and Yves Volte fought their way back through the field, making up over 50 positions to ultimately finish in 34th place overall.

Patrick Arkenau, Vice President Racing at Manthey Racing GmbH, summed up the weekend on the home track as follows: "A successful test for us ahead of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. It was good that Kevin was able to cover a good few kilometres in the #911 and that we had plenty of driving time under various conditions. This is very important in preparation for what we know from experience to be a very multifaceted 24 hours at the Nürburgring, and we were able to gather some important data. This test was clearly our focus this weekend. We are, of course, delighted that we were able to combine this with two podium finishes. Things will get serious for us here on our home track towards the end of June. Before that, however, we have a busy programme with the DTM in Zandvoort and the 24 Hours of Le Mans."

Following the dress rehearsal at the Nürburgring, Manthey has a full programme ahead of it in June: Before the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, which will take place from 21 to 22 June, the DTM in Zandvoort (7–8 June 2025) and the 24-hour race at Le Mans (14–15 June 2025) are first on the agenda.
 

Quotes on the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers:

Kévin Estre, Porsche 911 GT3 R #911: “Even though we unfortunately missed out on top qualifying on Sunday due to a technical problem, it was a good weekend overall for us. The car ran reliably, we had no penalties and no incidents. We lacked a little pace to take the win, but we learned a lot in the changing conditions – both in the wet and in the dry. It was important mileage for me, especially with the 24-hour race in mind, and I definitely feel ready now. Thanks to the team for a great job!“

Patrick Pilet, Porsche 911 GT3 R #911: „It was an all-round successful weekend with two podium places, even if it is a little disappointing that we were unable to win either of the races. Nevertheless, we were able to test a lot, especially in terms of tyre choice in changeable conditions, and Kévin was able to gain valuable driving time for the 24-hour race. For me personally, it was something special to be driving for Manthey again after such a long time, and I am delighted to have played my part in the preparations for the big race in three weeks' time."