Star-studded line-up and special liveries for the 2026 European Le Mans Series

The wait is finally over as Proton Competition launches its 2026 European Le Mans Series campaign ahead of the season opener, the 4 Hours of Barcelona, from 10 to 12 April at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. For the fourth consecutive season, Christian and Michael Ried’s team will be fielding four cars in the series, competing across three different categories.

Leading the charge in the top LMP2 class is the #9 Oreca 07. Jonas Ried returns for his fourth year of ELMS competition and is joined in 2026 by two new teammates: Sebastian Priaulx and Mike Rockenfeller, both Ford works drivers.

In the GT3 class, one of two Proton Competition Porsche 911 GT3 R will sport a special silver livery inspired by the legendary Porsche 356 SL. Carrying the #75 number in celebration of 75 years of Porsche Motorsport, the car will be driven by Matt Kurzejewski alongside Porsche works driver Richard Lietz and Australian Tom Sargent.

A second Oreca 07 will feature the classic Felbermayr colours and be piloted by father-son duo Horst Felbermayr Jr. and Horst Felix Felbermayr. The pair will be joined in the #88 LMP2 Pro/Am entry by fellow countryman René Binder, who reprises his role at the team for a third season and makes for an all-Austrian entry.

Rounding off the four-car effort is the #77 Porsche 911 GT3 R of Bankcy, Huub van Eijndhoven and Harry King. The trio come fresh off a promising debut season competing in the 2025/26 Asian Le Mans Series racing the same car.

The six-race ELMS calendar also features further four-hour races at Le Castellet, Imola, Spa-Francorchamps, Silverstone and Portimão. Fans can catch all the action throughout the season live and for free on FIAWEC+.

Schedule

Friday 10 April
11:50 – 13:20 Practice 1

Saturday 11 April
10:10 – 11:40 Practice 2
15:05 – 16:35 Qualifying

Sunday 12 April
12:00 – 16:00 Race

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Copyright: Proton Competition (Paola Depalmas)