As the endurance racing world turns its attention toward one of its most punishing and revered arenas, DUNLOP Motorsport is entering the final, critical phase of preparation for the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, scheduled from May 14 to 17, 2026. At the heart of this campaign sits a black-and-yellow Porsche 911 GT3 R carrying start number 17, ready to take on the Nordschleife for the very first time under the DUNLOP banner.
The Nürburgring Nordschleife, often referred to as the “Green Hell,” is less a racetrack and more a living, breathing endurance trial. It is a place where asphalt twists through forests, weather systems rewrite strategy in minutes, and where mechanical reliability is tested as brutally as driver instinct. For DUNLOP Motorsport, this year’s entry is not just about participation but about precision, adaptability, and sustained performance across 24 relentless hours.
The driver roster assembled for this challenge reflects that philosophy with striking clarity. French talents Julien Andlauer and Dorian Boccolacci bring deep international GT experience and proven pace across prototype and GT machinery. Belgian racer Alessio Picariello adds further Nordschleife credibility, having already established himself as a consistent force in GT3 competition on the demanding circuit. Completing the quartet is Nico Menzel, a local specialist whose understanding of the Nürburgring is almost instinctive, shaped by countless laps across its unpredictable terrain. Together, they form a lineup that blends raw speed, strategic discipline, and circuit intimacy in equal measure.
Preparation for the 24h race has not been confined to simulation or theory. The team’s participation in the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series provided essential real-world insight into both the Porsche 911 GT3 R and the evolving behaviour of DUNLOP tyres under race conditions. After a weather-disrupted season opener, the squad rebounded with a top-ten overall finish in its first outing, a result that carried significance far beyond the timing sheets. It validated setup directions, confirmed tyre performance expectations, and offered a tangible benchmark against established endurance contenders.
In endurance racing, especially at the Nürburgring, success is rarely defined by outright pace alone. The Nordschleife demands consistency across shifting grip levels, sudden temperature drops, fog-drenched stints, and dense multi-class traffic. Every lap becomes a negotiation between aggression and preservation. Within this context, the continued development of the Porsche-DUNLOP package has become a central focus, with engineers and drivers working closely to refine balance, predict tyre behaviour, and maximise stability over long stints.
The driver lineup plays a crucial role in translating this technical foundation into race performance. Andlauer’s experience in high-level GT and prototype programmes brings a sharp understanding of tyre management under pressure. Boccolacci and Picariello have already demonstrated their adaptability on the Nordschleife, evolving into reliable GT3 competitors capable of delivering strong double-stint performances. Menzel, meanwhile, offers a uniquely local perspective, often bridging the gap between theoretical setup and real-world circuit behaviour in a way only a Nürburgring native can.
DUNLOP’s presence at the event extends beyond its factory-supported entry. Several teams across the grid will also rely on its tyres, underscoring the brand’s deep integration into modern endurance racing. Among them, Saugmotoren Motorsport returns with its distinctive BMW Z4 E89 EVO 2013, a machine that has become something of a cult favourite on the Nordschleife. Piloted by seasoned specialists including Ralf Schall and Christian Scherer, it represents a blend of heritage engineering and modern endurance ambition.
Further down the pit lane, BLACK FALCON Team FANATEC, in collaboration with Gran Turismo, will field a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car featuring an unconventional yet compelling driver lineup. Veteran racer Manuel Metzger joins forces with content creator Misha Charoudin alongside sim racing figures Steve Brown and Jimmy Broadbent. This fusion of professional motorsport and virtual racing culture continues to blur the boundaries of modern endurance storytelling, drawing new audiences into the Nürburgring experience.
Away from the racing itself, the event promises a strong interactive dimension for fans. The Boulevard area will transform into a hands-on motorsport experience hub, where visitors can step into Gran Turismo simulators and attempt virtual laps of the Nordschleife. This digital immersion is complemented by a rare historical highlight, a Porsche 962 C from the Porsche Museum, a car with deep roots in endurance racing heritage and championship-winning pedigree from the late 1980s.
The race itself begins on Saturday, May 16 at 3:00 p.m., launching into a full day-and-night cycle that will test machines, teams, and drivers to their limits. For those unable to witness it trackside, live coverage will be available via official streaming platforms and broadcast on RTL Nitro, ensuring global access to one of motorsport’s most iconic events.
As anticipation builds, DUNLOP Motorsport continues to refine every detail, from tyre strategy to driver rotation, knowing that at the Nürburgring, perfection is not a target but a moving horizon. Each lap adds data, each stint adds understanding, and each hour brings the team closer to mastering a circuit that has humbled even the most experienced contenders.
