Dunlop enters the NLS and 24h Nürburgring with a Porsche 911 GT3 R and Sensing Core tyre monitoring technology from Sumitomo Rubber in 2026.
Dunlop Debuts at Nürburgring with Porsche 911 GT3 R and Four-Driver Line-Up for 2026 NLS
Dunlop Motorsport is set to compete on the Nürburgring Nordschleife from 2026. The team will enter a Porsche 911 GT3 R in both the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series and the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring.
The Porsche 911 GT3 R will race in Dunlop‘s signature yellow and black livery, designed by the developers of the Gran Turismo video game in Japan, and bear the number 17 as an homage to the Porsche Group C prototypes of the 1980s. Dunlop has been the global tyre partner of the Gran Turismo World Series and Gran Turismo 7 since late 2025.
Dunlop Motorsport team will field the latest 2026 specification of the Porsche 911 GT3 R, an updated version of the 992 chassis first launched in 2023. Upgrades to the car include new louvres in the front wheel arches, an updated rear wing, and an enhanced rear section aimed at improving driveability. Dunlop will utilise its tyres and debut the Sensing Core, a sensorless tyre monitoring technology developed by parent company Sumitomo Rubber Industries. This technology enables real-time tyre pressure, load, and wear detection to support puncture detection and decision-making from the pit wall.
The four-driver line-up comprises Julien Andlauer, Nico Menzel, Dorian Boccolacci, and Alessio Picariello. Andlauer is a Porsche factory driver with World Endurance Championship experience and strong Nordschleife knowledge. Menzel is an Eifel native with deep familiarity with the 25-kilometre circuit. Meanwhile, Boccolacci and Picariello have both taken overall victories on the Nordschleife and are regarded as consistent front-runners in the NLS (Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie).
The motorsport programme forms part of a broader strategic push by Sumitomo Rubber, which acquired the Dunlop trademark rights in May 2025 and has positioned the brand as the centrepiece of its global growth strategy. The Nordschleife entry is intended to serve as both a development platform and an international showcase for the brand.
With Dunlop Motorsport officially competing in the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Sumitomo Rubber will have two different teams in the event, as Falken Motorsport has also announced its entry to the series, staying true to its teal-and-blue Porsche 911 GT3 R with start number 44. While Dunlop is positioned as the premier brand, Falken Tyre has been designated by Sumitomo Rubber as its mid-range brand.
