... 24h Race 2025 ...
Results & Highlights

Between glory and ruin often lie mere fractions of seconds: Between triumph and total loss, it’s often just split seconds that decide. The motorsport festival includes thrilling races, including a challenging endurance competition, where the goal is to cover the greatest distance within 24 hours - the winner is the one who covers the most ground.

24 hours full throttle - Review of the Nürburgring Race 2025: The 24h race on the legendary Nürburgring is one of the toughest endurance races worldwide. In 2025, top-level motorsport was delivered once again. Here you’ll find a comprehensive review of the most exciting moments and the official race results.

Thrilling thriller at the Nordschleife

Congratulations to ROWE RACING - The ROWE RACING BMW M4 GT3 with start number #98 crossed the finish line to claim victory at the 53rd edition of the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Race on the Nürburgring Nordschleife after a thrilling and nail-biting finale. In an epic duel, the team narrowly defeated the Manthey EMA Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) No. #911, better known as “Grello”.

The internationally composed driver quartet (BMW M4 GT3 EVO) with Augusto Farfus from Brazil, Jesse Krohn from Finland, Swiss driver Raffaele Marciello and Kelvin van der Linde from South Africa fought through 141 nerve-wracking laps and secured a razor-thin lead of just 1:17.810 minutes.

Rule violation and time penalty - How the decision was made in the 24h race: The “Grello” crew, No. #911 with Kevin Estre (France), Ayhancan Güven (Turkey), and Thomas Preining (Austria) crossed the finish line first, but a 1:40-minute time penalty for a rule violation turned the result upside down. Despite a protest against the race officials’ decision, it was rejected 3 minutes before the end of the 24-hour race – sealing ROWE RACING’s triumph.

Carbon Louvres - The secret aerodynamic upgrade for Nürburgring:
The photo above shows the carbon louvres (wheel arch ventilation openings), which are the main technical difference to conventional DTM or sprint cars. These lightweight black carbon slats are used exclusively at Nürburgring and mounted on the front fender. The fender is cut beforehand to allow fitting the louvres. Due to the special track characteristics, they improve aero balance. The component is homologated and used by all Porsche teams but not in sprint races.

A dramatic finale that kept fans at the Nürburgring Nordschleife on edge and made motorsport history.

#911 Manthey Racing Porsche - “Although you clearly won the race on track, the victory was revoked by a subsequent decision.” An overtaking maneuver led to a collision, for which you were penalized with a 100-second time penalty – a harsh but decisive measure affecting the result.

Editorial assessment and commentary by Manfred Schaefer:
Overtaking maneuvers at the front group demand highest concentration and lightning-fast decisions – often deciding victory or defeat. In our view, the accident at the Nürburgring 24h race was an unfortunate racing incident without malicious intent. Race control assigned responsibility to Manthey EMA with the #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) GT3 SP9 class – a painful decision that touched emotions deeply.

Racing line / class differences: Furthermore, each class runs its own ideal racing line and thus its own race. Dörr Motorsport with the #179 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 competes in the GT4 SP10 class. “Although it is the ‘highest’ SP category among GT cars, it has no chance of an overall win as GT4 performance is significantly below that of GT3.” This diversity makes the track situation not only complex but also incredibly fascinating – for drivers and fans alike. This tension, this mix of tactics, risk, and passion is what makes motorsport so unique and captivating.

Enormous challenges: Such incidents are a reflection of the enormous challenges and pressures in high-performance motorsport and unfortunately can never be fully prevented. All motorsport enthusiasts stand for fair competition and pay highest respect to the tireless efforts of everyone involved in these demanding race events – it is passion, courage, and unwavering dedication that keep the unique spirit of racing alive and fascinating.

Driver Scheibner was taken to hospital as a precaution after the rollover. According to Dörr Motorsport, he is initially doing well but was kept for observation.

Highlight of the motorsport season

The highlight of the motorsport season – The legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife challenges drivers and machines with one of the toughest tracks in the world: over 25 kilometers filled with tight corners, varying elevations, and tricky sections demand utmost concentration and endless endurance. Every year, countless enthusiastic fans flock to the track to witness this breathtaking spectacle live – an electrifying atmosphere making the race an unforgettable experience.

From toolbox to high-tech perfection - Motorsport in transition: From the very first second, it’s full attack! The best factory drivers of leading car manufacturers sit in highly developed GT3 race cars pushed to their limits – pure, uncompromising racing. Over the past decades, this event has radically changed: where once an old Ford Transit brought race cars on a trailer with a small toolbox in hand to the track, today’s scene is dominated by high-tech machines, perfectly coordinated teams, and cutting-edge technology. An impressive testament to motorsport’s rapid evolution.

Only the bravest dare the Nordschleife – and fans celebrate along: For many drivers, the Nordschleife is the most exciting and spectacular race track in the world – a true challenge conquered only by the brave. For fans, the event is an absolute highlight: numerous campsites around the Grand Prix circuit invite you to be in the middle of the action, enjoy the incomparable 24-hour atmosphere around the clock, and become part of this unique motorsport community.

Camping options: Hatzenbach, Adenauer Forst, Metzgesfeld, Wehrseifen, Karussell / Hohe Acht, Wippermann, Brünnchen, Pflanzgarten, Schwalbenschwanz, P96 and P97 as well as at the GP circuit (A5 and C2).

Teams: They battled for 24 hours not only against the clock but also through changing weather conditions, technical challenges, and fierce competition. Strategy, teamwork, and driving skill were key to crossing the finish line as winners.

Motorsport Action: 24h Nürburgring 2025 – Highlights and impressions

Fans up close – The starting signal for the Nürburgring 24h race: Great atmosphere in the paddock, crowds in the starting grid. After 2.5 days of intense qualifying, practice sessions, and a comprehensive supporting program, the actual 24-hour race begins – a huge challenge for cars and teams.

During the formation lap, fans are allowed very close to the track – a special highlight for all motorsport enthusiasts. The 24h race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife simply fascinates everyone!

The numbers of the race

134 cars at the start, 509 drivers in total, 118 first-time participants, record holder Volker Strycek with 47 entries. 1,000 marshals ensure safety around the track and in the pit lane during the 24h race.

Sat, 16:00 – Race control and STARTING GRID

Race director Walter Hornung divides the cars into three staggered starting groups. Kevin Estre secured pole position with the “Grello” Porsche. Thomas Preining will start the “Grello.”

Sat, 16:45 – Pit stops and race highlights

The first pit stops occur after 45 minutes – tire changes, refueling, and windshield cleaning after about five laps. Exciting duels and goosebump moments shape the race: tight overtakes on the narrow track are common.

Dangerous sections of the Nordschleife:
Schwedenkreuz, Fuchsröhre exit, Adenauer Forst, Brünnchen, Caracciola-Karussell, and Schwalbenschwanz.

Race track and driver stint

The lap measures 25.378 kilometers and consists of the 20.832 km Nordschleife plus large parts of the 5.148 km Grand Prix track. Top speeds up to 350 km/h are possible.

Driving full throttle nonstop for 24 hours on the Nordschleife is impossible for a single driver. Therefore, each team must register at least two and up to four drivers. A driver may compete for two teams.

A driver change is mandatory at least every three hours. Between stints, a minimum of two hours rest is required.

Stint: In endurance racing such as the Nürburgring 24h race, a stint refers to the period a driver controls the car on track before handing over to a teammate. Typically a stint lasts about 1.5 hours but can be extended to around 3 hours as a double stint depending on strategy and physical strain. During this time, the driver is maximally challenged, requiring high concentration and speed while coping with changing track conditions and fatigue.
Violation of this rule may result in a time penalty.

Motorsport event with dream liveries

The car liveries this year are absolutely stunning and create a colorful, spectacular picture on the track.

“The Green Hell” – a legend

The term “Green Hell” comes from Jackie Stewart, who described the notorious track in rain and fog as such. On 4 August 1968, he proved his class in adverse conditions and won with an incredible four-minute lead. German Formula 1 Grand Prix (Matra MS10 - Ford).

“It's going to be the Green Hell this weekend.”
– Sir Jackie Stewart, three-time Formula 1 World Champion and namesake of the “Green Hell”

The best race in the world – a yearly highlight

The atmosphere is magnificent. The longest straight, Döttinger Höhe, is the scene of spectacular slipstream battles and overtakes. Goosebumps arise when cars race side by side at equal speeds – speeds of up to 346 km/h are possible.

Sat, 17:29 – Curious race interruption

After 1.5 hours of racing, a power outage occurred in the pits. At 17:31:45 red flags were shown – the race was stopped (Red Flag). Due to technical problems and failed fuel stations, regular race operations could not continue. Nürburgring GmbH worked feverishly to fix the error.

Sat, 19:00 – Restart and race progress

At 19:00 it was announced that the restart was planned for 19:45. At 19:05 the light turned green, and all cars left the pit lane.

The cooling system controlling and cooling the pit building was overloaded and had to be switched off. Race director Walter Hornung gave teams ten minutes for the starting grid, with tire changes allowed until the start.

The race was thus resumed for 20 hours and 15 minutes until Sunday, 16:00.

Sat, 19:45 – Restart of the first group

The first group started single-file on a formation lap. Marshals waved white flags. Then the lead car left the track and the race was resumed.

The second group received the green flag at 19:48, the third group at 19:51 – each with its own lead car.

Sat, 20:03 – Restart successfully completed

The first starting group reached the start-finish straight successfully, completing the restart.

Sat, 21:20 – Accident in Fuchsröhre section

#111 Mercedes-AMG GT4 (Thilenius / Wirtz / Renger / Neuser). Guido Wirtz crashed in the Fuchsröhre section with the “small Schnitzelalm-AMG.” The driver exited uninjured.

Team boss Thomas Angerer of SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm commented: “It’s very bitter. Guido is fine, but the Nordschleife shows its harshness again. We were fast and well placed, so much was possible. But the track sets limits for every team.”

Sat, 21:47 – Sunset in Nürburg

The sun sets. Drivers must give their all on every corner and meter. The low sun causes some corners to be strongly blinded, outside temperatures drop, improving conditions. The track gets faster at night. During the day it was very warm in the car, and the ventilation felt more like a hairdryer.

Night – Time penalties and pit stops

During pit stops, the minimum pit time is sometimes not met, resulting in time penalties.
At night, glowing brakes and exhausts are especially visible and give the race an impressive atmosphere.

Sun, 00:52 – Incident during pit stop

#14 Mercedes-AMG GT3 (Engel / Martin / Schiller / Stolz). During a pit stop with tire change, the car had to be pushed back with Maro Engel just seated in the cockpit to check the right rear wheel. Fabian Schiller: “Apparently, we lost drive. It was two and a half tough hours with some hairy moments.”

Engineers at the 24-hour race in the pit

Technical mastery and space shortage – How teams work during the 24h race: Engineers at the 24-hour race support several cars simultaneously and are responsible for technical tuning and setup. In close collaboration with drivers, they ensure optimal balance between performance and reliability. They continuously analyze vehicle data, adjust suspension settings, fix technical problems, and ensure smooth operation throughout the race.
135 cars share only 33 pit boxes at the 24h race, so often multiple teams must work closely together. Those needing more space use tents in the paddock, where space is also limited.

Sun, 01:00 – Christian Klien in action

Christian Klien from Eastalent Racing Team with #84 Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II reports: “The whole week had perfect weather – couldn’t be better. Still, the first stints at night were a challenge. Visibility and differences between cars make the Nordschleife especially demanding. Also, grill smoke often wafts into the nose, increasing hunger.”

Sun, 04:32 – Half-time mood in the dark

#911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), (Estre / Güven / Preining / Pilet): Kevin Estre sums up: “The atmosphere in the dark is great. Many are driving confidently, but you have to watch carefully if they want to let you pass on the right or left. So far, we have no scratches on the car and have gone through smoothly. Now we’re just past half-time.”

Two new cult cars in the Eifel

Tinted light bars in the roof area create spectacular effects.

#65 Ford Mustang GT3 (Fetzer / Schumacher / Owega / Owega)
The galloping, glowing Mustang on the doors – a real eye-catcher:

Mercedes-AMG GT3 from Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed with the hashtag #TheWorldsFastestFamily and nickname “The purple beast” also features tinted light bars in the roof area.

Sun, 05:21 – Sunrise in Nürburg

Sunday morning begins with an impressive sunrise over the Nürburgring – a new day full of exciting races lies ahead for drivers and teams.

Early retirement of Falken Porsche #44 and #33

Both Falken Porsche #44 and #33 are now retired early from the race.

Sun, 08:23
– #44 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Dorian Boccolacci stands after a technical failure on the right grass area at Döttinger Höhe.

Sun, 08:27
– #44 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), (Boccolacci / Heinemann / Marschall / Schuring)
Tim Heinemann in the pit lane: "I was supposed to come in soon. It hurts that both cars are out. I feel sorry for the team too. Looking at the faces of those who worked on it for weeks. We don't know exactly what happened; it lost drive."

Falken review:
On Saturday at 22:02 there was a serious accident: The second-placed #33 Falken Porsche collided unavoidably head-on in the Ravenol-S section with the #94 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992), (Kiefer / Kiefer / Kiefer / Rettenbacher) which had spun and was stationary against the racing direction on the track.

The previously third-placed #98 (BMW M4 GT3 EVO) barely avoided collision.

The #33 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), (Andlauer / Menzel / Müller / Picariello) returned to the pits and was then pushed into the garage.

Sun, 08:53 – Collision in Flugplatz section

#300 Dacia Logan (Kriese / Starck / Kaffka) collided with the #74 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 Evo (Hansen / Vortkamp / Balanian / David) in the Flugplatz section.

Dacia driver Martin Kaffka was able to leave the car independently.

Due to many debris on the track, a longer Code-60 phase is expected, and the guardrail must be repaired.

There were also numerous accidents and incidents overnight.

Sun, 08:55 – Vehicle fire at Galgenkopf

#633 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport (Type 982) (Kreutzpointner / Kreutzpointner / Hrubesch / Wlömer) - caught fire at the rear area near Galgenkopf.

Sun, 09:52 – Pneumatic air lifting system / Lumirank display / windshield film

Technology for perfect pit stop - Air lifting system and car skates in use:
The pneumatic air lifting system impresses with efficiency: A connected air lance activates four pistons that lift the car in seconds. Then car rollers with integrated handles (also known as car skates, air jack skates, or race car skates) are pushed under the chassis, and the car is lowered onto them. This allows the race car to be moved and turned easily even in tight spaces, facilitating maneuvering before and in the pit. This equipment enables quick and smooth replacement of worn parts or tires during pit stops.

#45 Ferrari 296 – on this car, the front brakes were completely replaced, tires changed, fuel topped up, and a windshield film removed. On average, the brake is swapped once mid-race within about 25 seconds.

#45 SP 9 PRO Ferrari 296 GT3 (Perel / Fernandez Laser / Jefferies / Neubauer)

Below the Lumirank display is a small yellow triangle that can be pulled to remove one of four protective films. This removes oil and dirt easily and cleans the windshield.

Improved position display with Lumirank:

Transparent race info – How LED displays work on 24h race cars:
LED displays in the windshield show important info during 24h qualifying and races. Since 2019, the system was refined: Driver names are abbreviated – e.g., NEU for Neubauer – and current position (e.g., 003). For leaders, data flashes. Cars without a timed lap show placeholders.

Sun, 10:20 – Accident during lapping in Miss-Hit-Miss area

#911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) - Kevin Estre in the Manthey car hits the #179 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 in the Miss-Hit-Miss section while lapping.

The #179 Aston Martin with driver Rolf Scheibner rolls over and ends up on the roof.

The #911 Manthey Porsche continues.

Rowe BMW #98 (BMW M4 GT3 EVO) can avoid but drives hard over the curb.

Sun, 12:34 – Lead change at Döttinger Höhe

#98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO: (Farfus / Krohn / Marciello / van der Linde) - Augusto Farfus passes the leading Manthey Porsche #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), (Estre / Güven / Preining / Pilet) at Döttinger Höhe.

Sun, 13:02 – Time penalty for Manthey Porsche

#911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992): (Estre / Güven / Preining / Pilet) - The Manthey Porsche receives a 100-second time penalty for causing a collision.

Sun, 15:21 – Last regular pit stop

#98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO: (Farfus / Krohn / Marciello / van der Linde) - The team completed the last regular pit stop. Kelvin van der Linde returns to the track.

Sun, 15:30 – Leader after pit stop

#911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992): (Estre / Güven / Preining / Pilet) - Comes out of the pits as leader with an 8.4-second lead over Kelvin van der Linde in #98 (BMW M4 GT3 EVO).

Sun, 15:33 – Pit stop at Lamborghini Huracan

#28 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2: (Mapelli / Engelhart / Engstler) - Currently third-placed Abt-Lambo comes to the stop and must change the left rear brake shortly before the end.

Sun, 15:47 – Lead extended

#911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992): (Estre / Güven / Preining / Pilet) - Kevin Estre extends the lead.

Sun, 15:57 – Protest dismissed

The protest by #911 was dismissed by the race stewards. The 100-second time penalty remains and will be added immediately after crossing the finish line.

Sun, 16:03 – RACE WINNER

Rowe Racing #98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO: (Farfus / Krohn / Marciello / van der Linde) - The Saarland team’s second victory after 2020.

Sun, 16:04 – SECOND place after time penalty

Manthey EMA Motorsport #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992): (Estre / Güven / Preining / Pilet) - Finishes second after addition of the 100-second penalty.

Sun, 16:04 – THIRD place

Dinamic GT SRL #54 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992): (Bastian / Cairoli / Hartog / Sturm) - Secures third and final podium place.

Sun, 16:28 – Awards ceremony

The awards ceremony is underway! The teams celebrate their drivers.

ADAC Ravenol 24h Nürburgring - The world's biggest car race

Night of legends - 24 hours through the Green Hell Nürburgring: When the sun sets over the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, a spectacle begins that takes motorsport fans worldwide’s breath away: The 24 hours through the “Green Hell,” the most spectacular race track in the world. Here on 25.378 kilometers of breathtaking track, driver quartets fight with pure adrenaline, team spirit, and boundless ambition for glory and honor.

The race is an enormous challenge for drivers and cars. Night driving under changing weather conditions, fast tire changes, and precise pit stops decide success or failure.

Cars in the SP9 class

FIA rules vs. manufacturer freedom – How wild can the SP9 class really be? The SP9 class includes pure race cars based on production vehicles and defines the fastest vehicle category. The technical regulations are based on FIA Appendix J Art. 257A, covering roll cage, minimum ride height, and tire pressure.
Minimum ride height: At all times during the event, it must be possible to freely roll a cylinder measuring 300 mm (width) x 70 mm (diameter) under the vehicle.

Engine concepts in duel – The wild world of SP9 race cars: Vehicle concept and engine choice are left to the manufacturers. There are front-, mid- and rear-engine cars with various engines: Inline 6-cylinder biturbo (BMW M4 GT3), V6 biturbo (Ferrari 296 GT3), V8 naturally aspirated (Mercedes AMG GT3), V10 naturally aspirated (Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II, Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO 2) as well as 6-cylinder boxer engine (Porsche 911 GT3 R).

Balance of Performance (BoP)

Equalizing performance, increasing excitement – The Balance of Performance explained: To ensure fairness despite different vehicle concepts, the Balance of Performance (BoP) equalizes vehicles’ performance. Using air restrictors, ballast weights, and other adjustments such as fuel tank capacity, vehicle power is balanced. The SP9 class is split into SP9 PRO and SP9 PRO-AM, with identical cars. The difference lies in the drivers used.

Night falls, headlights cut through the darkness, only the beam shows the way – overtaking maneuvers become thrills, pulse races at insane average speeds. While fans party with barbecues outside, the atmosphere is magnificent and electrifying, and the champions on track give everything. Every meter, every curb jump, every precise maneuver counts.

Night hours: Especially during the night hours, the true skill of drivers shows: precision, concentration, and courage are required. The #65 HRT Ford Performance - Ford Mustang GT3 and the #17 Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed - Mercedes-AMG GT3 became eye-catchers with their lighting effects and engine sounds creating fascinating images.

A festival of speed and endurance: Here passion, excitement and pure racing atmosphere merge – an unforgettable experience for drivers and fans alike. The ADAC RAVENOL 24H Nürburgring is more than a race – it’s a festival of speed, endurance, and the indomitable will to make history.

Strategy, endurance and weather as keys to victory: The race featured thrilling duels, stable weather without surprises, and impressive endurance performance by the teams. Highlighting the victory of ROWE Racing, who achieved overall victory with a strategically perfect race and flawless driving. High daytime temperatures were complemented by significant cooling at night, adding challenges for drivers and teams.