Nothing stays still on planet Porsche for long. The latest and greatest 911 GT3 R race car has only been in production since 2023, but already a refresh for 2026 is being prepared. Time waits for nobody in top level sportscar racing, and there’s added impetus for more 911 evolution with the recently introduced, very prestigious LMGT3 class in the World Endurance Championship. Plus there’s winning form to maintain: more than 150 podiums were secured across the globe by the 992 GT3 R in 2024, including the top step at Le Mans in LMGT3.
This is what’s coming next, a new GT3 R that - shock - looks quite a bit like the old one. But that’s always the way with 911s, whether for road or track. The look will be familiar, though tweaks underneath tend to keep it winning, be that WEC endurance races or magazine group tests. This time around the R has been revised to improve driveability, tweaking aero, software and steering for ‘improved front-end behaviour under braking and acceleration’. Exactly what those tweaks are will be disclosed at a later date.
To assess just what’s what with this new GT3 R, the #91 car seen here will compete at Spa this weekend in something called the Michelin 12 Hours, part of the Creventic 24h Series. It offers up endurance level stints without doing the whole hog in one, with five hours racing on Saturday and seven on Sunday. The car will be campaigned alongside Herberth Motorsport, with Laurin Heinrich, Ralf Bohn and Alfred Renauer driving.
"The Creventic Series offers the ideal environment for such an important test. The competition features numerous privateer teams racing at a high level, there's a lot of track time, and the Spa-Francorchamps circuit poses a formidable challenge for both drivers and machines," said Sebastian Golz, Project Manager Porsche 911 GT3 R. "As a long-time Porsche customer team, Herberth Motorsport can provide valuable feedback on vehicle handling, serviceability, ergonomics, and operational functions. We're also eager to hear the drivers' impressions.” No doubt the 911’s competitors will be keen to know just what they’ll be up against next year, too - it isn’t likely to be any slower…
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