Grello goes Hollywood - Manthey confirms participation in IMSA 2026

Credit: Luna Maas

Having terrorised European Sportscar Series for decades, Porsche's crown customers will take on a new challenge in America, entering two cars to the 2026 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.

A couple of days after winning the Team and Drivers' Championships in the DTM, Manthey have announced they will be entering two GT3 cars to IMSA in 2026. The team have confirmed their first appearance will be at the 2026 Daytona 24h, which will take place on the 24th January.

Fan favourite 'Grello' will be entered to the GTD Pro class as the No.911, this team will be run solely by Manthey. Meanwhile the Nürburgring based team will partner with 1st Phorm to enter a car into the GTD class, as the No.912.

Manthey and 1st Phorm are already familiar to one another, as the two have worked alongside one another this season in the WEC where they have an 11 point lead heading into the final round of the Championship. The car impressively won in-class at Le Mans this season, having lapped everyone up to fifth place

Riccardo Pera, Richard Lietz and Ryan Hardwick have been piloting the Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche in the WEC, however there has been no confirmation as to who will be racing either car in the IMSA next season.

Porsche will likely provide factory drivers to Manthey, but whether this will be young talent such as the latest DTM Champion Ayhancan Güven, or ex-Hypercar drivers who are set to be demoted to the GT class as a result of Porsche's announcement that they will leave the top WEC class at the end of this year.

Manthey managing director, Nicolas Raeder has said: 'Entering the American market has been a long-held dream of ours, as we have been following the series for many years, and the US market is also very important for our road car products.

'Entering our two Porsche in the endurance races will also provide an excellent opportunity to engage with Porsche dealers, Manthey customers and enthusiasts.

Building on our experience of competing at the Nürburgring and in the DTM and WEC since 2023 and 2024 respectively, IMSA is the next logical step for us. I am looking forwards to this new challenge for our team, especially the season opener in Daytona.'