Manthey Announces Driver Line-ups for 2026 IMSA
December 4, 2025Meuspath-based Manthey Racing has announced its driver line-ups for its two-car assault on the 2026 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup GTD and GTD PRO classes.
The #911 GTD PRO-class ‘Grello’ Porsche 911 GT3 R will be piloted by Klaus Bachler, Ricardo Feller and Thomas Preining while the GTD entry will be piloted by Ryan Hardwick, Riccardo Pera and Morris Schuring.
Richard Leitz will join the #912 1st Phorm crew for the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Manthey Racing GmBH Director of Racing, Patrick Arkenau is looking forward to the new IMSA season.
“After the first IMSA test in Daytona in November, we are now looking forward to the official start of the season in January,” he said. “We are particularly pleased to be able to count on a very strong driver line-up with close ties to Manthey: with Ryan, Riccardo, Morris and Richard as the fourth man for the 24-hour race, we are relying on absolute constants in the Manthey 1st Phorm car – we have gained a lot of experience and celebrated many successes with each of them.
“Well-known and proven faces will also be at the start for us at the wheel of the starting number 911. Alongside Thomas and Klaus, we are delighted to welcome on board Ricardo, who joins us with valuable IMSA experience. We are excited to see what we can achieve in the coming season.”
25-year-old Swiss pilot Ricardo Feller has been competing in GT machinery since 2017. He became a Porsche contracted driver in 2025 and competed in GT World Challenge Europe with Lionspeed GP, finishing third in the Endurance Cup Bronze Drivers standings alongside teammates Gabriel Rindone and Patrick Kolb.
“I’m really excited about our IMSA program and to be part of the Manthey team,” said Ricardo Feller. “I raced these endurance races back in 2019 and have wanted to return to the US every year since. Now it has finally worked out – and with such a promising driver lineup. I’m confident we’ll have a strong season, and our goal is clear: we want to win. With the 24 Hours of Daytona as the season highlight already coming up in January, our full focus is on that race.
“I can’t wait for the season to finally start!”
Above #913 1st Phorm Porsche 911 GT3 R (Photo: Manthey Racing)
Managing Director of Manthey Racing GmBH Nicolas Raeder is pleased at the level of experience Manthey will have in its driver squad for IMSA in 2026.
“With the start of the IMSA season, a new and exciting chapter will begin for us very soon,” said Nicolas Raeder. “We can rely on experienced drivers, most of whom already know our team from the DTM, WEC and the Nürburgring, and we are proud that these seven will represent us in America next year. I am looking forward to laying the foundation for a successful season with this team at the first race in Daytona.”
The 2026 IMSA season gets underway on January the 16th with the Roar Before The Rolex 24.
