BMW M Motorsport enters the GT World Challenge Europe with a strong line-up.

BMW M Motorsport will be chasing titles in the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS in 2026 with a top-class line-up. The reigning champions, Kelvin van der Linde (RSA) and Charles Weerts (BEL), will once again compete for Team WRT. The duo, who triumphed in both the overall championship and the Sprint Cup last season, will drive the #32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO as they did in 2025. ROWE Racing will fight for titles in the Endurance Cup with six BMW M works drivers, and Valentino Rossi (ITA) will contest all ten rounds of the season for Team WRT .

The Italian, who triumphed as a guest starter at his home races at Misano (ITA) for the past three years, will share the #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO in both the Sprint and Endurance Cup with Max Hesse (GER) in the Pro category. For the five endurance rounds, Dan Harper (GBR) will join the Italian-German duo. BMW M Motorsport newcomer Jordan Pepper (RSA) will support van der Linde and Weerts in the Endurance Cup races in the #32 car.

In the sprint races, Pepper will drive the #31 BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Alongside Amaury Cordeel (BEL), the South African will compete in the Pro Cup at Brands Hatch (GBR), Misano, Magny-Cours (FRA), Zandvoort (NED), and Barcelona (ESP) – completing the impressive line-up with which Team WRT launches its mission to defend the title. The Belgian squad won the team trophies in the Sprint Cup and overall standings in 2025.

With six BMW M works drivers and two cars, ROWE Racing is also fighting for titles in the Endurance Cup: Augusto Farfus (BRA), Raffaele Marciello (SUI), and Jake Dennis (GBR) will compete in the Pro Cup for the team from St. Ingbert (GER). Farfus and Marciello triumphed for ROWE Racing in last season’s three-hour race at the Nürburgring (GER) and finished on the podium at the season finale at Barcelona (ESP). The identity design of their #98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO will shine in the upcoming season – as already seen at the FIA GT World Cup 2025 in Macau (CHN) – in white, red, and black. Jens Klingmann (GER), Ugo de Wilde (BEL), and Tim Tramnitz (GER) – alongside Pepper, the second newcomer to the BMW M works driver line-up – will compete in the #998 BMW M4 GT3 EVO in the Gold Cup.

In other categories, Century Motorsport and Team WRT will each field another BMW M4 GT3 EVO in the Endurance Cup, while Paradine Competition will enter two cars in the endurance races. In the sprint races, KPX Motorsport, Paradine Competition, and Team WRT will each enter a BMW M4 GT3 EVO.

Driver line-up statements:

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “In the GT World Challenge Europe, we have celebrated numerous successes in recent years. Therefore, we approach the new 2026 season with great confidence and anticipation. Kelvin van der Linde and Charles Weerts start as reigning champions. With Team WRT and ROWE Racing, we have two outstanding teams that will field a total of twelve BMW M works drivers in the Pro and Gold Cup. This gives us an excellent line-up to fight for titles in the sprint races, the Endurance Cup, and the overall standings once again. We are very much looking forward to the season opener at Paul Ricard.”

Vincent Vosse (Team Principal, Team WRT): “We are ready and very much looking forward to the new season in the GT World Challenge Europe, where we will defend several titles. Since this championship was founded, we have been very successful as a team. We are extremely happy to have new drivers like Jordan, Max, and Dan on board. The anticipation for the season opener is very high.”

Hans-Peter Naundorf (Team Principal, ROWE Racing): “This year, we are approaching the GT World Challenge Europe season with a different strategy and have set new goals. After further strengthening and restructuring our team, we are not only focusing mainly on the big season highlight at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, but also aiming for the overall standings in the Endurance Cup.”

Charles Weerts (#32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team WRT): “I am very happy to race again with Kelvin in the GT World Challenge Europe, and I am glad that Jordan is joining us. My anticipation to compete again in this championship, where the level rises year after year, is huge. We may not have the number one on the car, but we will definitely fight to defend our titles in the Sprint Cup and overall standings – and to attack the first Endurance Cup title with Kelvin and Jordan. We have a very strong line-up, and I hope we can achieve great things together.”

Valentino Rossi (#46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team WRT): “I am really very happy to race in the GT World Challenge Europe this year. I really like this championship; there are lots of duels, which makes it a lot of fun. It was the first championship in which I competed in four-wheel motorsport in 2022. I can hardly wait for the season to start.”

Raffaele Marciello (#98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, ROWE Racing): “I am very happy to race again with ROWE Racing. Last year, we had a very strong season, won at the Nürburgring, stood on the Barcelona podium – and also triumphed together at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. So it’s very nice to compete again with ROWE Racing and Augusto and Jake in the GT World Challenge Europe. I am sure we have a strong package and will fight for the championship.”

Jens Klingmann (#998 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, ROWE Racing): “The GT World Challenge Europe is definitely one of the strongest GT racing series in the world. After two great years with Team WRT, I am now looking forward to switching to ROWE Racing, another top team from BMW M Motorsport. With my two young and very fast teammates Ugo and Tim, we have a strong line-up together. I hope I can also be available as a kind of mentor with my experience. I am very happy that we can compete together in the GT World Challenge Europe.”