BMW complete their works lineup, with former Formula E champ Jake Dennis included, as Garage 59, Rutronik and more also announce competitive lineups.
With the GT World Challenge Europe (GTWC EU) series opener just over 40 days away, more and more teams are confirming their programs and drivers. The SRO-run series is gearing for another landmark season as the battles for Endurance and Sprint Cup honours are expected to be as tough as ever.
BMW M Motorsport have completed their works lineup for 2026, as ROWE Racing will enter two highly touted driver lineups for the Endurance rounds. The No.98 Pro class car is set to be amongst the favourites for the title as Raffaele Marciello, Augusto Farfus and Jake Dennis share the seat of the BMW M4 GT3 Evo.
Marciello and Farfus are two of the grid’s best drivers and 2022-23 Formula E champion Jake Dennis, completes a dynamic trio, as the Briton makes a full-time return to the Endurance Cup, after six years of sporadic appearances.
ROWE’s other car, the Gold class No.998 car is also expected to be a front-runner with veteran driver Jens Klingsmann pairs up with two talented drivers in Ugo de Wilde and sportscars newcomer Tim Tramnitz.
Another team to run BMW M4’s is Paradine Competition, with the team’s owner, Darren Leung, being the only confirmed driver at the moment, scheduled to drive the No.991 car throughout the full campaign, in the Bronze class. A second car, the No.992 has also been confirmed to compete solely in the Endurance Cup for Silver class glory.
In the Bavarian manufacturer’s official statement, it has also been confirmed that KPX Motorsport and Century Motorsport will each run a single BMW M4 in Sprint and Endurance Cups respectively, though again, the driver lineups are yet to be finalized.
Garage 59 is another team that is set to battle it out for the title in both Pro and Gold classes, as the Brackley-based outfit has announced two pretty strong lineups. Marvin Kirchhöfer and Dean MacDonald will take on the entire 10-round campaign in the No.59 Pro class entry, with single-seater convert Joseph Loake joining for the Endurance rounds, after an encouraging debut season in 2025.
Kirchhöfer, a standout driver in 2025 commented: “It feels great to go into the new GT World Challenge season with a full McLaren factory driver line-up. Both Dean and Joseph were outstanding last year. Considering Joseph was in his rookie season of GT3 racing he was very fast and super consistent so I’m excited to see his progression continue.”
Tom Fleming and Louis Prette will compete in the full season in the No.58 Gold class entry, with Benjamin Goether entering for the Endurance races, completing a talented lineup, as Prette stated that he is eager for the season to begin in Paul Ricard.
Another McLaren customer, CSA Racing have also confirmed a two-car entry. James Kell, Arthur Rougier and Simon Gachet comprise the No.111 Gold class lineup, with the latter only competing in the Endurance rounds.
The No.555 car will have three new faces, as Romain Andriolo, Lorens Lecertua and Baptiste Moulin will take on other Silver class competitors in the Endurance Cup, with the entry switching to the Gold class for the Sprint Cup, with Andriolo and Gachet share the car for these rounds.
A Porsche customer will make its full debut in the series, as razoon – more than racing have confirmed plans to enter a single 911 GT3 R, with drivers set to be announced at a later date.
Last of all, Rutronik Racing have announced a trio of Lamborghini factory drivers, that will race the brand new Temerario GT3. Patric Niederhauser and Luca Engstler will battle for overall honours in the Pro class No.96 car, as the will compete in the full campaign, with Marco Mapelli joining them for the Endurance Cup rounds.
The team have also finalized a Bronze class entry only for the five-round Endurance Cup, with Antares Au, Sven Müller and Ricardo Pera sharing the No.97 car.