The wait is over: the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland launches its 2026 season next weekend as part of the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC weekend. From 17 to 19 April, the series will contest its opening two races at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Italy. The new Porsche 911 Cup will make its race debut in the German Carrera Cup.
The grid is fully booked: a total of 32 drivers from nine teams will line up in Imola. All 16 races of the season will be broadcast live on the Porsche Motorsport Hub as well as on the Facebook and YouTube channels of the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland. In addition, Joyn, the streaming platform of TV partner ProSieben, will show the race action live and free of charge.
The battle for the first two wins of the season is more open than it has been for many years. Out of 32 drivers, 18 are contesting their first full season in the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland. Among the favourites are the two Porsche Junior drivers Flynt Schuring (NL/Schumacher CLRT) and Marcus Amand (FIN/Proton Competition). Keagan Masters (ZA/Proton Competition) is also considered a strong contender. The 26-year-old is the reigning champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia and already stood on the podium in Imola last year. Alexander Tauscher (D/Target) brings similar experience, having secured a podium finish at the traditional circuit last season. Both are aiming to celebrate success near Bologna again this year.
Alexandra Vateva (BG/Target Competition) is eagerly anticipating the season opener in Imola: “I’m really excited to contest my first full season in the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland. The field is extremely competitive, so we can expect thrilling races. My goal is to win the rookie classification,” says the 22-year-old, the only female driver on the grid. Vateva is part of the Talent Pool and competes for Target Competition, based in Andrian in South Tyrol. Her teammate Max Mutschlechner (D/Target Competition) also enjoys a home event. The 20-year-old German lives in Bruneck in northern Italy, is likewise a member of the eight-driver Talent Pool and is embarking on his first Carrera Cup season. Guest driver Aldo Festante (Target) from Capua near Naples completes the field as the only Italian.
New Porsche 911 Cup
The new Porsche 911 Cup of the 992.2 generation will be the race car used in the German Carrera Cup from this season onwards. The car features optimised aerodynamics and a 4.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine producing 382 kW (520 PS). “Overall, the new Porsche 911 Cup feels more aggressive,” explains Jonas Greif (D/GP Elite). “There is less understeer, which allows you to carry more speed into the corners. The clutch is also significantly softer. That will definitely be an adjustment for us drivers at the race start.”
“A full grid with many newcomers promises excitement right from the first race,” says Thorsten Rückert, Project Manager of the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland. “I am particularly looking forward to the first race appearance of the new Porsche 911 Cup in our one-make series. Imola is one of Italy’s most iconic circuits. Together with the FIA WEC, we have an outstanding platform for a successful season opener.” The safety car also appears in a new livery this year. The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package features the colours of long-standing Carrera Cup partner Dekra.
*Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach-Package (WLTP)*: Electrical consumption combined (model range): 3.0 mi/kWh, Range combined (model range): 342 – 345 miles, CO2 emissions combined* (model range): 0 g/km
The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari opened in 1953 and is located south-east of Bologna. The 4.909-kilometre circuit features 19 corners and a demanding layout with fast sections and tight chicanes. “There are sections where you really need courage, such as the first chicane or the downhill-uphill combinations. You definitely have to grit your teeth there,” says Michael Essmann (D/Team75 Bernhard), one of five drivers competing in the ProAm classification.
Schedule Imola, Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland
Friday, 17 April 14:00 - 15:00 Free Practice
Saturday, 18 April 11:45 - 12:20 Qualifying 17:40 - 18:15 Race 1
Sunday, 18 April 17:40 - 18:15 Race 1
Race calendar of the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland
17.04.–19.04.2026 Imola (FIA WEC), Races 1+2 24.04.–26.04.2026 Red Bull Ring (DTM), Races 3+4 15.05.–17.05.2026 Spa-Francorchamps (International GT Open), Races 5+6 22.05.–24.05.2026 Zandvoort (DTM), Races 7+8 19.06.–21.06.2026 Dekra Lausitzring (DTM), Races 9+10 03.07.–05.07.2026 Norisring (DTM), Races 11+12 14.08.–16.08.2026 Nürburgring (DTM), Races 13+14 09.10.–11.10.2026 Hockenheimring (DTM), Races 15+16
