BMW has unveiled a strengthened factory-backed campaign for the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours, confirming three driver line-ups composed entirely of works drivers for the demanding endurance race.
Following last year’s victory on the Nordschleife, the German manufacturer will return with an expanded effort featuring two entries from ROWE Racing and a third car fielded by Schubert Motorsport. Together, the three BMW M4 GT3 EVO machines will aim to deliver the brand’s 22nd overall triumph in the legendary endurance event.
The race will take place on May 16–17 and remains one of the most demanding challenges in global GT racing.
Pepper replaces Krohn as defending winners return
First and foremost, the defending winners will return to the Nürburgring with a revised driver line-up. Kelvin van der Linde, Augusto Farfus and Raffaele Marciello will once again share the No. 1 ROWE Racing BMW M4 GT3 EVO.
However, Jordan Pepper will join the trio this year, replacing Jesse Krohn in the squad. The addition strengthens an already formidable combination that secured victory in last year’s race.
Their success in 2025 came under unusual circumstances. At the time, the winning car represented the only GT3-spec BMW in the field due to the scheduling proximity of the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.
Nevertheless, BMW now intends to build on that success with a much larger presence.
ROWE Racing adds second BMW entry for 2026 Nürburgring 24 hours; Schubert Motorsport returns to the Nordschleife
In contrast to last year’s single entry, ROWE Racing will field a second BMW M4 GT3 EVO in the 2026 race.
Sheldon van der Linde will lead that line-up alongside two-time Nürburgring 24 winner Dries Vanthoor. Meanwhile, BMW factory drivers Max Hesse and Dan Harper will complete the quartet. Hesse already boasts strong credentials at the Nürburgring. In 2024, he secured pole position for the race and later finished third alongside Harper and Charles Weerts.
As a result, BMW enters the event with considerable experience across both ROWE Racing crews.
Meanwhile, Schubert Motorsport will field the third BMW entry. The team will run Charles Weerts alongside fellow factory drivers Marco Wittmann, Robin Frijns and Philipp Eng. Frijns notably won the Nürburgring 24 in 2022 while driving for Audi, adding further experience to the line-up.
Unlike the ROWE Racing cars, which will compete on Michelin tyres, the Schubert entry will run on Yokohama rubber. Consequently, the team will also play a role in ongoing tyre development efforts for the Nordschleife.
BMW confident ahead of the 2026 Nürburgring 24
BMW M Motorsport leadership has expressed strong confidence in the programme and its drivers.
“The race has always been a strong event for BMW M Motorsport, not least last year,” said Andreas Roos, head of BMW M Motorsport. “Our three 2025 champions are highly motivated to defend their title. With ROWE Racing and Schubert Motorsport, we have not only two top teams but also 12 outstanding works drivers on the grid. That gives us the best possible foundation to secure BMW’s 22nd overall victory in the ‘Green Hell’ in front of this impressive backdrop.”
At the same time, Schubert Motorsport has already begun extensive preparations for the demanding endurance event.
“Returning to the 24 Hours of Nürburgring is not entirely new territory for us, but it remains a very special challenge, and I am very pleased to be back,” said team boss Torsten Schubert. “Together with Yokohama, we are advancing tire development for the Nordschleife and hope to guide the BMW M4 GT3 EVO successfully through the Eifel once again. I am confident we can be successful. Since December, we have been preparing everything, building structures and completing numerous test sessions.”
Drivers across the BMW camp have also highlighted the significance of the event and their ambitions heading into the race. Hesse, in particular, emphasised both the excitement and the challenge of competing on the Nordschleife.
“The coolest event of the year,” he said. “In 2024 I secured pole position, in 2025 ROWE Racing won, so our ambitions are pretty clear. Our lineup is very strong, I’m very happy, and we’ll work together extremely well. Preparation won’t be easy due to some scheduling overlaps, but we’ll manage it as best as possible.”
Preparation begins in the Nürburgring endurance series
Before the main event in May, both ROWE Racing and Schubert Motorsport will compete in the opening two rounds of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Series. These races will allow the teams to fine-tune their BMW M4 GT3 EVO machines and build crucial experience ahead of the 24-hour contest.
Consequently, BMW arrives at the Nürburgring 24 with strong momentum, a deep roster of factory drivers and a clear goal: defend last year’s victory and add another chapter to its success in the ‘Green Hell’.
