Nov 1, 2025 | DTM
Production problems threaten DTM plans
Lamborghini is under pressure to introduce the new Temerario GT3. Originally, the plan was to build around 10 examples for the 2026 racing season. Meanwhile, that number seems to be considerably lower: realistically, only six to eight vehicles are expected to arrive.
That limited run has direct implications for the distribution among championships. According to current estimates, four cars would go to the DTM, two to GT-World-Challenge Europe and the rest to the IMSA series in the US. For the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, Abt will stick with the tried-and-tested Huracan GT3 Evo2 instead of the new Temerario for the time being.
For Paul Motorsport, with Lamborghini talent Maximilian Paul, this could mean that the team will not be competing in the DTM in 2026 with the Temerario. Grasser and Abt appear to be getting two new cars each, leaving no extra for the smaller Dresden-based team. Besides limited availability, cost and brand equity are also factors: Lamborghini does not want two different Lamborghini models running in the DTM at the same time.
Oct 30, 2025 | DTM
No immediate commitment to stay
Ayhancan Güven celebrated a historic DTM title in 2025, becoming the series“ first Turkish champion. Yet the 27-year-old Manthey-Porsche driver has not committed himself after the season. According to himself, his future will be decided ”in the coming weeks"; he mentions several options and points to changes within motorsport.
After the DTM finale, as far as we know, Güven did not give an interview announcing he would defend his title. This begs the question: does he even want to return to the DTM or does something else beckon?
America may be pulling
One of the most frequently mentioned scenarios takes place in the United States. Multiple sources sound that Güven is being linked to a programme in the IMSA series. Manthey itself is entering IMSA in 2026 with a Pro car, but is concentrating on the Endurance Cup, or the five long-distance races Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, Road America and Petit Le Mans.
In addition, Laurin Heinrich has been named as a candidate for the Porsche-Penske LMDh programme, which will continue in the US after the WEC outing. AO Racing, the strong Porsche team where Heinrich drove in 2025 and known for its “Rexy” design, is also a possible employer if Güven drives a full IMSA season.
Formula E: opportunity or illusion?
Güven stood out during the Formula E rookie test in Berlin, despite his lack of formula experience. This immediately sparked rumours of a switch to the electric class. For Güven, who is currently paid by assignment as a contracted driver, a factory title in Formula E could be attractive.
Yet the spots at Porsche are already largely filled. Pascal Wehrlein and Nico Müller have been confirmed for the factory team. The drivers at Andretti (Jake Dennis and Felipe Drugovich) and Kiro-Cupra (Dan Ticktum and Pepe Marti) are also known. That composition leaves little room for an additional seat at those teams.
- Possible options for Güven in 2026: IMSA Endurance campaign with Manthey.
- Full IMSA season for AO Racing (Rexy team).
- A factory title in Formula E - currently unlikely due to occupied seats.
- Staying in the DTM and defending his title.
What does this mean for the DTM?
Güven is also supported by Red Bull. At Porsche, it sounds that they can see other roles for Güven than just the DTM, especially in contrast to a driver like Thomas Preining, whose qualities are best showcased in the more traditional DTM set-up with one driver per car. That increases the chances of the series losing its new champion.
The DTM could thus face not only the departure of Rene Rast in 2026, but possibly that of the reigning champion. A final choice from Güven has not yet been made; expect clarity in the coming weeks.
Oct 29, 2025 | DTM
Farewell to the Huracan and the future of Grasser
After the Barcelona season, Gottfried Grasser wrote that he was proud of the last performance with the Huracan and that it is time for a change. He confirmed to the press that the team will drive a new car type in 2026, but did not explicitly say that Grasser will stay with Lamborghini.
The Huracan is scheduled to be succeeded by the Temerario in 2026. For Grasser, not only the choice of car is important, but also the accompanying driver package: it must be a combination that allows the team to compete for wins and titles again.
Rumours of financial support and Bortolotti's role
Rumours have been circulating for some time that the former Audi team Abt would receive additional support since its switch to Lamborghini. There is talk of a sum of around a million euros a year, which could cover roughly a third of the budget for a two-car DTM programme. Other Lamborghini teams would not benefit to the same extent, according to those reports.
Lamborghini reveals that it supports teams with parts and economic instruments, stressing that it does so in as balanced a way as possible. At the same time, this alleged financial support is not openly confirmed.
Into that field of tension comes Mirko Bortolotti as a possible key player. Bortolotti is considered one of Lamborghinis strongest GT3 drivers and won this year's 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps with Grasser. However, he has been driving for Abt since last year and experienced a difficult DTM season: his best result was sixth at the Lausitzring and he finished 14th in the championship.
Grasser performed excellently with Jordan Pepper this season: three pole positions, one win and battling to the end for the championship. With Pepper's departure for BMW, there is a clear gap in the line-up. Within the Lamborghini line-up, apart from Bortolotti, there is little that can immediately take over that role.
According to rumours, Lamborghini would like to prevent the Grasser marque team from switching to another constructor. One possible move would be to transfer Bortolotti from Abt to Grasser in 2026. This would give Grasser a top driver and increase the chances of brand retention.
For Abt, Bortolotti's departure would be a major blow. Sporting director Martin Tomczyk responded after the season by promising that Abt will return in usual strength in 2026. How the driver choice ultimately plays out remains to be seen for now.
- Grasser says goodbye to the Huracan and looks for a new package for 2026
- Rumours of ~1 million euros support for Abt are circulating
- Mirko Bortolotti is a possible transfer to Grasser to retain the brand
- Jordan Pepper looks set to head for BMW, leaving Grasser in need of a driver
- Abbot says he wants to come back strong in 2026
Oct 28, 2025 | DTM
What do the test pictures show?
Mercedes-AMG has released images of the Concept AMG GT Track Sport during track testing for the first time. The pictures show a heavily camouflaged bolide reminiscent of test runs on Bilster Berg. In the press statement, Mercedes talks about ‘first fahrdynamic challenges’ and calls the vehicle a concept, not the final racing vehicle.
Interestingly, the test vehicle wears parts similar to the future model, but at the same time still shows many elements of the current GT3 model. This suits a so-called mule car: a test vehicle that combines new components with familiar ones.
Engineering, mule-car and looks
According to sources within Mercedes-AMG, Affalterbach Racing GmbH is working on the successor to the Mercedes-AMG GT3. That project began after HWA would no longer handle construction and development. A V8 turbo engine and an all-carbon monocoque are assumed for the new car.
An insider described the test vehicle as a “Frankenstein car” - not as a swear word, but as a technical description: mix of old and new. The roof, windows and wing mirrors, for instance, look a lot like the current model, but the nose section differs markedly. The grille is a lot smaller and the front splitter has a different structure. The bonnet now shows an air intake where previously there was an exhaust vent; this indicates air supply to an upper turbocharger.
Mercedes itself stresses that the concept focuses on maximum driving dynamics, intelligent lightweighting and optimised weight balance. The manufacturer also mentions ‚AMG-typical V8 antenna technology’ and a complex aerodynamic design.
- Development by: Affalterbach Racing GmbH
- Powered by: V8 turbo engine (AMG)
- Chassis: full carbon monocoque
- Test runs: visible on circuits such as Bilster Berg
Planning and statements of leadership
Mercedes-amg says it sees 2026 as a pure development year. A 2027 delivery to customer teams is considered ambitious; 2028 sounds more realistic. Thomas Jäger, responsible for DTM activities at Mercedes-AMG, says that this is a concept and that Mercedes will reveal when the time comes: «Until then, we will keep the excitement going.»
Michael Schiebe, who will soon switch to Mercedes-Benz AG as board member for production, quality and supply-chain, praised the team and said of the concept: «The future is going to be extreme.» Mercedes stressed that the tests are intended to validate systems and complex components under harsh conditions, without revealing further details.
In a nutshell, the released photos show a clear move towards a new GT3 car, but for now it remains a prototype with both existing and new parts. Don't expect final specifications yet until Mercedes fully reveals its plans.
Oct 27, 2025 | DTM
The crash at Hockenheim and a painful echo
Rene Rast lost a possible fourth title at the recent DTM final in Hockenheim after he got involved in a chain reaction in the Spitzkehre on the first lap. That corner seems to keep turning against him: the same spot also cost him a championship early in his career.
At Hockenheim, Rast came out of the first lap as a casualty, his car too badly damaged to continue driving. With that, his championship chances evaporated in one fell swoop.
What exactly happened in 2006
In 2006, Rast raced in the Seat Leon Cup and started the final race weekend as championship leader, from the front row, on a drying track. As in Hockenheim later, things went wrong on the first lap: defending champion Thomas Marschall hit Erik Janis, causing Janis to collide with Rast again. Rast had to abandon the race as his car was too badly damaged.
The race organisers pointed to Erik Janis as the culprit and awarded him a penalty. Florian Gruber, who came to the final third in the championship, took advantage and took the championship with a satisfactory result. Rast finished second that season, with three wins, and eventually missed out on the title by just three points.
- Season: 2006, Seat Leon Cup - title loss due to incident in Spitzkehre
- Drivers involved: Rene Rast, Thomas Marschall, Erik Janis, Florian Gruber
- Results: Janis penalised as perpetrator; Gruber benefited
- Rast: three season victories, finishes two points short of the lead
Setback finally led to breakthrough
After that disappointment, Rast picked up where he left off. In 2007, he switched to the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland. A year later, he won the title in that series. Between 2010 and 2012, he made a name for himself in the Porsche Supercup with three titles in a row.
Despite his success in Porsche, Rast also had setbacks: BMW and Audi did not initially see him as a DTM contender. It was only in 2016 that he made his DTM debut at Zandvoort due to an injury to Adrien Tambay, and a year later he took his first DTM title in his rookie year.
The parallel between 2006 and the recent Hockenheim incident shows how one turn in one lap can change careers. For Rast, it ultimately remained a path with deep setbacks, but also with a strong comeback and later great success.
Oct 26, 2025 | DTM
A finale that looks like film
The DTM 2025 denouement had all the ingredients of a movie: seven title contenders and a decision only four corners before the end. Manthey-Porsche driver Ayhancan Güven called the outcome immediately after the finish almost unbelievable. For many fans, it felt like a scene from a Hollywood screenplay.
The official annual film
The DTM has now filmed the season itself. The short production is called “DTM 2025: The Movie - A Season Like No Other” and lasts less than ten minutes. It is not a standard summary: the main storylines come into focus with exciting editing and spectacular shots. In the process, some drivers venture into funny acting roles and show a different side than you are used to with helmet and visor.
Güven, Porsche and other facts
At the centre of it all is Ayhancan Güven: the 27-year-old Porsche driver won five races this season and crowned himself champion, while he had never won a DTM race before that. In doing so, he became the first champion of Bosporus descent in the series. For Porsche and team Manthey, it is the second DTM title after Thomas Preining in 2023.
- They seven different season winners: Ayhancan Güven, Thomas Preining, Lucas Auer, Rene Rast, Jordan Pepper, Jack Aitken and Ricardo Feller.
- Porsche was the most successful brand with six wins in total.
- Lucas Auer was the most consistent driver: he scored in all races.
- During the season, five different drivers topped the standings.
The season often changed leaders: Auer was on top for most of the time, Pepper briefly took the lead after the first weekend, Aitken was on top twice and Rast was also in the lead for a while. In the end, Güven stormed to the front at the last and decided the title.
The film closes with a small narrative twist: a cloaked stranger with a conspicuous bag repeatedly turns up, and only at the end is who it is revealed. In doing so, the production captures the mix of drama, competition and a touch of humour that characterised the season.
Oct 24, 2025 | DTM
Porsche confirms: Manthey will stay
Porsche has now officially denied rumours of a possible sale of Manthey. A spokesperson says the reports have no basis and a sale is not planned. With this, Porsche's 51 per cent shareholding in Manthey Racing GmbH seems secure.
Why did the denial come later?
Last week, Porsche did not comment directly, asking for understanding that it did not want to comment on speculation. The reticence is partly due to the fact that Porsche is a listed company. With stock market-sensitive information, a company must communicate very carefully so as not to cause market manipulation or mislead investors.
At the same time, Porsche is undergoing an ongoing review of its portfolio of holdings. Due to a sharp drop in profits this year and the announced departure of some of its staff, Porsche was reviewing all participations for their role and usefulness. This explains why an immediate denial took some time.
What does Manthey mean for Porsche?
Manthey is much more than an external racing team for Porsche. The Nürburgring-based company provides, among other things:
- Porsche Track Experience and branded cups,
- maintenance, construction and final assembly of Porsche race cars,
- race division delivery and logistics support.
The partnership is deep-rooted. Manthey was founded in 1996 by Olaf Manthey. In 2013, Manthey merged with Raeder Automotive and since then Martin and Nicolas Raeder have been co-owners and directors. Porsche has been a shareholder since that merger. Olaf Manthey remains active as an advisor and shareholder.
Given that close relationship, a sale would have had a clear impact on Porsche's racing business. With the official word now seems clear: Manthey remains Porsche's extended arm in racing for now.
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