Emil Frey Racing officially announces its driver lineups for the GT World Challenge and DTM

A regular on the catwalks in DTM as well as in the Sprint Cup category of the GT World Challenge Europe, Emil Frey Racing unveils its plans for 2026. Specifically, two Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO will be competing in the German championship. Behind the wheel of car #69 will be Dutchman Thierry Vermeulen, sporting the colors of Red Bull and Verstappen.com, while Italian Matteo Cairoli will take his place in the #14 car, all in pink, in the colors of sponsor BWT. As for the GT World Challenge, Matteo Cairoli will team up with Konsta Lappalainen in the #14. Thierry Vermeulen will be partnered with Briton Ben Green.

In concrete terms, a few changes are indeed to be noted within the Swiss organization. In DTM, two cars are therefore fielded instead of two last year. With Jack Aitken having joined Cadillac's Hypercar project – the Briton thus replacing Jenson Button – Matteo Cairoli remains the new face of the team running the Ferrari 296s in the category. “I am very grateful to Emil Frey Racing and proud of this opportunity,” the Italian rejoiced. “As a DTM novice with this car, my main objective will be to learn as quickly as possible, while also aiming for ambitious goals. I can’t wait to get started, savor every moment, and show what we’re capable of on the track!”

As for Ben Green, he won't be sidelined by Emil Frey Racing. While he was partnered with Finland's Konsta Lappalainen in 2025, the driver pairings have changed this year in the GT World Challenge. The Briton will be joined by Thierry Vermeulen, winner of no fewer than four races last year. Lappalainen, meanwhile, joins Matteo Cairoli to try and secure some Sprint Cup victories.

To follow the performance of the Emil Frey Racing team in the GT World Challenge, you'll have to wait until April 11th and 12th, the opening weekend at Le Castellet. Then, on April 25th and 26th, the first two races of the DTM season will take place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.

ALSO READ > BMW announces Kelvin van der Linde's return to DTM for 2026