Manthey certain of 2026 WEC LMGT3 entry despite Porsche’s Hypercar exit

Manthey Racing remains optimistic that Porsche’s withdrawal from the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class will not hinder its chances of securing a place in the LMGT3 division with the German marque in 2026.

For participation in LMGT3, the WEC’s rulemakers the FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest give priority to manufacturers already represented in Hypercar.

Porsche Penske Motorsport is leaving the top division after just three seasons due to a myriad of reasons, turning its attention to its other programme with the 963 LMDh in the IMSA SportsCar Championship instead.

This means that Manthey will require approval from the FIA and ACO in order to continue its participation in the GT3-based category, in which it has won the championship in both 2024 and ‘25 with the Porsche 911 GT3 R.

The final decision will likely depend on how many teams seek entries in both Hypercar and LMGT3, alongside the total grid size that he WEC can accommodate. The current season features 36 entries, split evenly between Hypercar and LMGT3.

Asked about early discussions with rulemakers about 2026, Manthey team principal Nicolas Raeder told Motorsport.com: “For next season, we get the entries. In our opinion, it’s sure. And the years after, we will see.”

While the WEC will welcome a new Hypercar manufacturer in the form of Genesis in 2026, Porsche’s exit means the size of the top class is likely to remain at 18 cars. As a result, there should be no immediate pressure on organisers to trim LMGT3 entries, especially as they plan on expanding the overall grid to 40 cars in the coming years.

Asked if Porsche’s Hypercar division would have any bearing on Manthey’s entry in LMGT3, Raeder said: “From our information, not.”

Mercedes was initially denied a place in the first season of the GT3-based category, as manufacturers rushed to join the championship in 2024 after GTE Am was discontinued. It was only this year that the Stuttgart brand secured a spot to run two cars with Iron Lynx, which previously competed in the series with Lamborghini.

Manthey entered two cars in LMGT3 this year, one under the Manthey 1st Phorm form and the other competing in partnership with Iron Dames.

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— The Motorsport.com Team