Manthey has unveiled the six-strong driver line-up with which it is aiming to maintain its LMGT3 dominance in the FIA World Endurance Championship next season.
Since the inception of the LMGT3 division in 2024, Manthey has won six out of 16 races, locking out the top two positions in the standings in the category’s maiden campaign and conquering a second consecutive crown this year.
Two of the three drivers that achieved the Eifel-based outfit’s latest title triumph are back for more, as endurance racing veteran Richard Lietz – a former world champion in LMGTE Pro with Manthey and six times a winner in-class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – returns alongside rising Italian star Riccardo Pera.
They will be flanked by another familiar face in the form of Yasser Shahin, who rejoins the German squad following a season with BMW that yielded a pair of podium finishes. The Australian partnered Lietz to victory at La Sarthe in 2024. Together with Pera, the trio will compete under ‘The Bend Manthey’ moniker, behind the wheel of the #92 Porsche 911 LMGT3 R.
In the sister #91 ‘Manthey DK Engineering’ car, James Cottingham, Timur Boguslavskiy and Ayhancan Güven provide a blend of experience and new blood. The Briton reached the rostrum with United Autosports in this year’s Qatar curtain-raiser – missing out on glory by the margin of less than half-a-second – while 2023 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup champion Boguslavskiy makes the same move as Shahin.
Porsche factory driver and Red Bull athlete Güven saw off a high-calibre field to lift the laurels in Germany’s DTM touring car series with Manthey in 2025, and has similarly triumphed in the famous Bathurst 12 Hour race. The 27-year-old Istanbul native will be making his FIA World Endurance Championship bow next season.
“After two incredibly successful years in FIA WEC, we are proud to remain part of the series,” commented Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director of Manthey Racing GmbH. “With James and DK Engineering as well as Timur, we have strong new partners joining the team.
“James and Timur are experienced in FIA WEC, and I am excited to see what we can accomplish together. With Ayhancan, we undoubtedly want to build upon the successes achieved over the last two years, and we are proud that Yasser will be part of the team again, as we have a strong connection with him.
“After winning not only the championship but also the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice in a row, our goal is clear – to continue this momentum and defend our titles.”
“We are very confident about our two line-ups, which feature newcomers, returning drivers and consistency in equal measure,” added Manthey Racing Director, Patrick Arkenau. “While James and Timur have been competing in FIA WEC since 2024, Ayhancan will be making his series debut, but he has already been very successful with us. I am sure we will form a strong unit with these exciting drivers.
“The second line-up similarly promises a lot. Richard represents absolute consistency and expertise, and we are happy that Riccardo is entering his second season with us and very pleased that Yasser and The Bend are returning following a year with BMW. With him and Richard, we celebrated many highlights in 2024, crowned by the victory at Le Mans. We are happy to welcome him back.
“In 2026, we want to pick up with both cars from where we left off in 2025 and 2024 and celebrate the next successes together.”
The battle for honours will begin with a ten-hour contest in Qatar on 28 March, followed by races at Imola, Spa-Francorchamps, the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, Interlagos, COTA and Fuji, building up to the traditional eight-hour finale in Bahrain.
Watch FIA WEC live or on-demand via the official FIA WEC TV app – your full-access pass to the FIA World Endurance Championship including the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. Don’t miss a moment. For further information, check out the app.
