Falken Motorsport and DUNLOP to race one Porsche each at the Nürburgring

Credit: Benjamin Crundwell

Since Falken Tyres announced they would merge with DUNLOP, fans were uncertain whether the famous teal GT3 cars would be racing on the Nordschleife in 2026. Good news! 

Falken Motorsport will be fielding a single Porsche 911 GT3 R for the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) and Nürburgring 24h, with the number 44. Aligning with Falken's focus on "continuity and experience", 34 year old Klaus Bachler will once again get behind the wheel of the No.44, having won the only NLS race he entered last year.

Morris Schuring will also return to the Falken team, off the back of a successful 2025, which saw two podiums, including a win on his debut in the team. Schuring's 2025 teammate, Sven Müller will join them in the No.44, the German picked up two wins on the Nordschleife last year. The fourth driver will be Tim Heinemann, who has been racing for the team since 2022.

To replace the sister Falken Motorsports car, Dunlop will also host a single Porsche 911 GT3 R entry to the NLS and Nürburgring 24h, with the number 17 - a throwback to the DUNLOP sponsored Porsche 962C raced by Mario, Michael and John Andretti in the 1982 running of the 24 Hours Le Mans.

The car will race with an attractive yellow and black livery, designed by Gran Turismo developers.

Credit: DUNLOP

The No.17 DUNLOP Porsche will be raced by Nico Menzel, who picked up four podiums in the NLS last year, including both first and second place in NLS 10, having driven the No.3 and No.4 Falken Motorsports car.

Menzel will be joined by reigning IMSA Champion, Julien Andlauer, who is widely regarded as one of Porsche's strongest factory drivers. Menzel and Andlauer will race with Dorian Boccolacci and Alessio Picariello, each of who won a round of the NLS last year.

DUNLOP and Falken Motorsport will both race the recently upgraded Porsche 911 GT3 R with their respective tyres. The Porsche's upgrades are focused on improving the drivability through improved aerodynamics, especially at the back of the car.

Falken Motorsports won five of the ten rounds last season in the NLS, including four 1-2 finishes which contributed to the team finishing 1-2 in the teams Championship too, lead by the No.3.

The team were less fortunate in the 24 hour race, losing one car before sunset after a collision with a stationary back marker, and losing the other to drivetrain issues in the morning.

With a line-up such as their 2026 one, Falken Motorsport and DUNLOP will be looking for similar success in 2026.