GT World Challenge Europe 2026: Aston Martin triumphs at Paul Ricard in a spectacular race

The 2026 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup season opens with a race destined to leave its mark. On the Paul Ricard circuit, under artificial lights and with strategies pushed to the limit, the French 6 Hours offered a textbook endurance finish: unpredictable, tense, spectacular.

The Aston Martin #7 of Comtoyou Racing came out on top, able to turn everything around in the final minutes thanks to perfect management and a decisive attack at the key moment.

Incredible finish at Paul Ricard: Safety Car and decisive overtake

For much of the race, the stage was dominated by the Mercedes-AMG #48 of Mann-Filter. Constant pace, impeccable strategy and an advantage built with authority had steered the race towards an apparently certain victory.

The turning point in the final minutes

In the closing stages, however, a Safety Car completely changed the picture. The field bunched back up, wiping out Mercedes' advantage and reopening the battle for victory.

At the restart, Nicki Thiim drew on all his experience: a decisive attack, a clean overtake and the lead taken at the most delicate moment of the race.

A victory built with calmness

The success of the Aston Martin #7 is the result of an intelligent race, built on management, pace and precision at the key moments. A huge blow in the championship.

Standings and class winners: McLaren and Porsche in the spotlight

Behind the Aston Martin #7, the Mercedes #48 comes home second, forced to settle for second after dominating for so long.

Overall podium

1st Aston Martin #7 (Comtoyou Racing)

2nd Mercedes-AMG #48 (Mann-Filter)

3rd McLaren #58 (Garage 59)

McLaren also takes victory in the Gold Cup, confirming excellent competitiveness.

The class winners

Gold Cup: McLaren #58 Garage 59

Silver Cup: Porsche #9 Pure Rxcing

Bronze Cup: Porsche #97 Rutronik

An evident balance across all classes, a sign of an extremely competitive championship.

Italian drivers: Drudi the star, a difficult day for Rossi

The positives

Mattia Drudi is among the great protagonists of the race, making a decisive contribution to Aston Martin's success. An excellent performance too for Riccardo Pera, winner in the Bronze Cup.

The difficulties

A difficult race, however, for Valentino Rossi, who with BMW fails to get involved in the fight for the top positions, finishing well off the podium.

Ferrari also endure a difficult day, never finding the pace needed to compete with the best.

Debuts and unknowns of the 2026 season

Lamborghini Temerario GT3 makes its debut

Great attention for the new Lamborghini Temerario GT3, one of the most eagerly awaited new cars. The potential is obvious, but the project still seems to be in development.

A difficult weekend for some crews

Not all teams shone: some line-ups, including another Aston Martin Comtoyou, had a difficult race, far from the front positions.

Analysis: a balanced and unpredictable championship

The Paul Ricard race sends a clear message: the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe season will be all about complete parity.

The pace on track

Aston Martin strong in management and decisive phases

Mercedes the benchmark on race pace

McLaren and Porsche always competitive

The outlook

Every detail could make the difference: strategies, Safety Car periods and stint management will be decisive.

The championship has only just begun, but the spectacle is already guaranteed. Next round: Monza, where the form shown in France will immediately be put to the test.DEVELOPER MODE