Porsche Manthey to join IMSA in 2026

Manthey Porsche enters IMSA 2026: the “Grello” makes its American debut

The Porsche Manthey Team has officially announced its entry into the IMSA SportsCar Championship starting in 2026, fielding two cars. One in each of the main GT classes: GTD Pro and GTD. The team will bring two Porsche 992 GT3 R Evos to the grid, ready to take on fierce competition from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Corvette, and Lexus.

The iconic “Grello” livery, already a fan favorite in Europe and a proven winner at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring and in the GT World Challenge, will now make its way across the Atlantic to debut in the United States, featuring revised shades and updated aerodynamic details.

After years of commitment to the WEC, from which Porsche will withdraw starting in 2026 to restructure its motorsport efforts, the brand’s focus, together with Manthey’s, will now shift entirely toward the American market. This strategic move aims to strengthen Porsche’s presence in North America. A region where the demand for customer GT programs and endurance racing has grown rapidly and represents an increasingly valuable marketing channel for the Stuttgart manufacturer

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2025 DTM Champion and 24h Le mans winner

Meanwhile, the Porsche 963s fielded by Team Penske will continue their IMSA campaign alongside the newly arrived 992 GT3 R Evos. These cars have already proven their dominance in Europe, achieving remarkable success in endurance racing and national GT championships.

Notably, the Grello claimed the DTM title in 2025 with Turkish driver Ayhancan Güven, snatching the championship from BMW in a dramatic final showdown at Hockenheim last weekend.

Words of enthusiasm for this Porsche Manthey new chapter

The Porsche Manthey German squad will field its Porsche 911 GT3 R Evos starting from January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, entering one car in the GTD Pro class and another in GTD. It’s a major milestone for Manthey, which brings its vast European racing experience to one of the world’s most competitive GT environments.

Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director of Manthey Racing, expressed his enthusiasm for the announcement:

“We are very proud to be competing in IMSA 2026 together with Ryan, Manthey, 1st Phorm and the Grello,” said Raeder. “Entering the American market has been a long-held dream of ours, as we have been following the series for many years. The U.S. market is also very important for our road car products.”

Raeder added:

“Taking part in endurance races overseas offers an excellent opportunity to strengthen our connection with Porsche dealers, Manthey customers, and fans. Building on our experience at the Nürburgring and in the DTM and WEC, IMSA is the next logical step for us. I’m looking forward to this new challenge — especially to kicking off the season at the 24 Hours of Daytona.”