• The Porsche factory drivers Kévin Estre, Ayhancan Güven and Thomas Preining will pilot the Porsche 911 GT3 R with starting number 911
• In the run-up to the Nürburgring endurance classic, Manthey has already secured two podium finishes in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie and the 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers
• To mark the tenth anniversary of the Grello design and the company's three-decade history, Manthey will soon reveal more information about special campaigns coinciding with the 24-hour race

Meuspath. In its 30th anniversary year, Manthey will enter a Porsche 911 GT3 R featuring a tried-and-tested line-up of factory drivers in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. The car, bearing the number 911, will be driven by Kévin Estre (France), Ayhancan Güven (Turkey) and Thomas Preining (Austria). The trio have already shared the cockpit of Manthey's 911 on the Nordschleife for the past two years. Kévin Estre secured the team's most recent overall victory at the Eifel endurance classic in 2021. He made his debut with Manthey in the 'Green Hell' in 2016 and has been competing successfully for the team in the Eifel ever since. Ayhancan Güven and Thomas Preining have also celebrated race victories and numerous podium finishes with Manthey in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie. Both drivers were crowned DTM champions with the Meuspath-based team in 2023 and 2025. While Preining competes in both the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup and the DTM in the Grello this year, Güven is part of Manthey’s driver line-up for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Additionally, Matt Campbell has been named as the Porsche reserve driver for the event. He is scheduled to complete only the necessary laps in the starting number 911 to be able to fulfil this role for the 24-hour race.
 
“As we finished in second place two years in a row, our goal for this year at the Nürburgring is of course clear: in our 30th anniversary year, we want to secure our eighth overall victory. The 24-hour race on the Nordschleife has always held a very special significance for us since the founding of Manthey Racing GmbH by Olaf in 1996 and it remains a key highlight in our racing calendar this season as well,” explains Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director of the Manthey Racing GmbH. “We are very much looking forward to taking the start here in the Eifel in May together with our long-standing partners, our driver trio and our fans. We all share the same great passion for our home race in the Green Hell. With Kévin, Ayhancan and Thomas, we are relying on proven drivers. We have been working together for a long time and I believe that this continuity always brings an advantage. We have been putting in plenty of test and race kilometres since March and we’ve finished on the podium in both of our races at the Green Hell. I’m confident that we’re well prepared for the first qualifying session and will put on a good show for the spectators,” adds Patrick Arkenau, Director Racing at Manthey Racing GmbH.
 
With its Nordschleife entry in 2026, the Grello celebrates a special anniversary this season: In 2016, the Porsche in its distinctive yellow-green livery made its debut on the Nürburgring Nordschleife – and immediately secured victory in the then VLN series. To mark this milestone and the company's 30th anniversary, Manthey is planning several special activities to coincide with the 2026 24-hour home race. Further information will be announced shortly.

Quotes on the 24 Nürburgring 2026:

Kévin Estre, Porsche 911 GT3 R #911: “I’m very happy to be back behind the wheel of the Grello. As every year, this race is a major highlight of my season – perhaps even the biggest one this time. In the past, we have repeatedly shown that we are capable of winning, even if the ultimate success has eluded us in recent years. All the more reason for me to look forward to lining up again together with Thomas and Ayhancan. Our collaboration worked very well last season and hopefully we can improve even further this year.“
 
Ayhancan Güven, Porsche 911 GT3 R #911: “I’m really looking forward to the upcoming racing season at the Nürburgring. After finishing second two years in a row, the clear goal for this year is to claim my first victory at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring and secure Manthey’s eighth win in this fantastic race. Following the strong performances of the past few years, I’m confident that we are very well positioned for this year’s race. Having got behind the wheel of the Grello for the first time this year in race conditions at NLS3, I can’t wait to return to the world’s best race track in May.“
 
Thomas Preining, Porsche 911 GT3 R #911: “The Nordschleife is always a highlight – especially as a driver of the Grello Porsche. The race comes with enormous pressure, but it’s also one of the most beautiful events of the year, not least because of the incredible fan support. We definitely have all the ingredients to be successful and are taking our preparation very seriously. At the start of March, we began our first tests and races so that we’d be fully prepared for the 24-hour race in May. I’m looking forward to the challenge and hope that we can take victory again this year!“