GT World Challenge Europe 2026: Winward Racing Secures Championship Without a Race Win
In a remarkable turn of events, Winward Racing’s #48 Mercedes-AMG, driven by Lucas Auer, Maro Engel, and Lucas Stolz, clinched the GT World Challenge Europe title for 2026 with a significant points lead—despite not securing a single race victory throughout the season. This marks the third consecutive year that the Overall Drivers’ Championship has been won without a race win.
The title was formally confirmed ahead of the final race weekend, following the successful overturning of a penalty from July’s Misano event. Auer attributed their success to a “consistent working philosophy” within the team and highlighted the importance of collaborative effort among drivers to improve overall performance.
“We always look for consistency,” Auer stated. “Winning a race is tough; everything needs to be perfect. So, the most important thing was to always be consistent, managing top five finishes even on our weaker weekends.”
Heading into the Portimão endurance race, Auer emphasized the challenges posed by evolving track conditions, especially after a recent European Le Mans Series event that altered the surface with Goodyear rubber. Their preparation for the transition to Pirelli tires requires careful calibration to avoid being outpaced by the rapidly changing track conditions.
“We need to find the right moment to adapt our setup,” Auer cautioned. “If you adjust too early, it can backfire as the track continues to evolve.”
The collected performances from Auer, Engel, and Stolz throughout the year have demonstrated their prowess amid a fiercely competitive field. Notably, the event also sees the participation of four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen, underscoring the elite standard of competition in GT racing.
“GT racing is in a golden era,” Auer remarked, citing the robust spectator interest and the presence of top manufacturers and drivers. “What we deliver is remarkable, and the excitement is palpable.”
As the team gears up for the upcoming endurance challenge, all eyes will be on their strategy and execution against a formidable 61-car field. With the championship already in hand, Winward Racing aims to maintain its strong finish to the season.
Images: SRO.
