Two more entries confirmed for GTWC Europe as Cordeel makes sportscar switch

Written by Marios Gantzoudis, Edited by Pranav Sharma

Credit: Phil Hay

The GT World Challenge Europe field continues to grow, with official announcements for a third WRT entry and the return of Lionspeed GP for another season with a veteran lineup.

Lionspeed GP has announced its return for a third consecutive season following its debut season in 2024. The team is aiming for the Bronze class title after last season’s runner-up finish with a trio of seasoned series veterans.

Team principal Patrick Kolb remains on driving duties alongside Bashar Mardini and 5-time champion (across Silver and Pro-Am classes) Alex Fontana. The No.89 Porsche will contest the Endurance Cup in the Bronze class. Lionspeed GP is expected to add further entries in the coming weeks.

Fontana said: "I have a few titles there in Pro-Am and Silver Cup, but it’s been a few years since I’ve done the full Endurance season. Lionspeed is a benchmark team in SRO competition, especially within the Porsche world. Therefore, it’s really nice to join this combination in the highest level championship with one of the best teams out there.’’

Credit: SRO/JEP

Team WRT has also confirmed its final two lineups as the No.30 BMW Silver class entry will be competing in the full campaign, thus bringing the team’s total to three cars in Endurance and four in Sprint.

Matisse Lismont, Ignacio Montenegro and Amaury Cordeel comprise a young and talented Endurance lineup, whilst Lismont and Montenegro are also confirmed to share the No.30 car for the Sprint Cup.

Lismont, who joined WRT midway last season, said: "I am really happy to have the opportunity to race the full GT World Challenge Europe season with Team WRT. I got to know them last year, and we already had some success, so we know from the start that this can be a winning combination.”

"While my team-mates are both new to the series, they are really experienced and will bring different perspectives that I can learn from. We have been testing together as a team, and I am confident that we can be very successful in the Silver Cup. WRT has chosen us from a lot of candidates because they believe we can be a strong package."

Credit: SRO/JEP

Cordeel is set to make his sports car racing debut after four seasons in Formula 2 and will also compete alongside recent WRT signing Jordan Pepper in the No.31 Pro class entry, which will battle for overall honours.

He is not the only debutant as Montenegro makes the switch from TCR, where he has been successful, winning the South American championship in 2023 and the Spanish Winter series in 2024 alongside the FIA Motorsport Games Touring Car Cup.

Thus, Team WRT’s lineups are finalised for 2026 and are the following:

No.30 (Silver): Endurance: Lismont / Cordeel / Montenegro Sprint: Lismont / Montenegro

No.31 (Pro) Sprint: Pepper / Cordeel

No.32 (Pro) Endurance: Pepper / van der Linde / Weerts Sprint: van der Linde / Weerts

No.46 (Pro) Endurance: Rossi / Hesse / Harper Sprint: Rossi / Hesse