The Haupt Racing Team will officially kick off its racing program for this year on the Nürburgring Nordschleife this coming weekend. The team from Drees will field two Ford Mustang GT3s in the second round of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS). In the four-hour race, the team aims to build on a strong preseason.
- HRT Kicks Off the Nordschleife Season
- Strong Lineups at the Wheel of the Ford Mustang GT3s
- Continuation of the Development Program with YOKOHAMA
When the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series kicks off on Saturday (March 21), HRT will be among the top-tier field of competitors. For the Haupt Racing Team, this also marks the start of the intensive preparation phase for the Nordschleife’s seasonal highlight, the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring. HRT will be fielding the Ford Mustang GT3 with the new EVO Performance Package in the “Green Hell” for the first time. Under the HRT Ford Racing entry, two cars will be competing in the race.
Arjun Maini (IND), Fabio Scherer (SUI), and Emil Gjerdrum (NOR) will share the wheel of the #64 Ford Mustang GT3. Arjun Maini is one of the fastest drivers in the “Green Hell.” The Indian driver, who also competes for HRT in the DTM and GT World Challenge Europe, has drawn attention in recent years with strong performances at the Nürburgring. Teammate Fabio Scherer made his GT3 debut last season and immediately wrote himself into the Nürburgring’s history books when he set a new NLS qualifying record of 7:48.717 minutes in the Ford Mustang GT3. Emil Gjerdrum will make his GT3 debut on the Nürburgring Nordschleife this weekend. The young Norwegian will be competing for HRT in the ADAC GT Masters this year and has already gained experience in the Ford Mustang GT3 during the GT Winter Series. The #64 Ford Mustang GT3 will shine in the updated blue-and-yellow metallic livery of team partner RAVENOL, which will also be featured in the DTM. The collaboration between HRT and RAVENOL in the development of high-performance lubricants and brake fluids contributes significantly to the vehicle’s overall performance and is a core element of the partnership.
The sister car with start number #65—which will compete in the SP9 Pro-Am class—will be driven by team founder Hubert Haupt, David Schumacher, and Frank Stippler (all GER). Hubert Haupt is one of the most experienced drivers on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. In recent years, he has recorded several race wins in the NLS and has also stood on the podium at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. In 2025, David Schumacher was part of the driver quartet that secured the Ford Mustang GT3’s first class victory at the ADAC RAVENOL 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Last year, Frank Stippler competed in the most races for HRT on the Nordschleife. He caused a sensation with a spectacular overall victory in the 8th NLS race—the Ford Mustang GT3’s first triumph on the legendary Eifel circuit. A total of four additional overall podium finishes, along with the new qualifying record, impressively underscore the potential of the US GT3 car.
The Nürburgring Nordschleife serves as not only a race track for HRT but also a demanding test platform. Close collaboration with tire partner YOKOHAMA is therefore a central element of the joint Nordschleife program. In addition to the use of state-of-the-art ADVAN racing tires and comprehensive race strategy support from YOKOHAMA engineers, the focus is on continuous performance optimization. The combination of vehicle development and tire technology forms an essential foundation for sustained success on the world’s most demanding race track. The collaboration is also clearly visible to the outside world: The #65 Ford Mustang GT3 will take to the starting grid on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in YOKOHAMA’s striking full-body livery.
The Nürburgring Endurance Series race begins on Saturday, March 21, traditionally at 12:00 p.m. Prior to that, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., qualifying will determine the starting positions for the first race of the year.
Ulrich Fritz, Chief Executive Officer Haupt Racing Team: “The Ford Mustang GT3’s first outing on the Nordschleife with the new EVO Performance Package marks an important next step for us in the further development of our overall package. The Nordschleife is the ultimate endurance test for the car, team, and driver. Here, we gain crucial insights in preparation for the season’s highlights. At the same time, our partnership with YOKOHAMA is a key factor in our success: this close collaboration allows us to fully exploit the potential of both the car and the tires. Our shared goal is to combine performance, consistency, and competitiveness at the highest level.”
Hubert Haupt, Ford Mustang GT3 #65: “I’m really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel in the ‘Green Hell’ for my first race weekend of the year. The Nürburgring Nordschleife is my favorite track in the world, so it’s always special to return there. I’m excited to continue this project together with HRT Ford Racing.”
Arjun Maini, Ford Mustang GT3 #64: “I’m really looking forward to driving the Ford Mustang GT3 on the Nürburgring Nordschleife again in 2026. Together with Yokohama, we’ve prepared very well and are confident that we now have a strong overall package for the Nürburgring Endurance Series as well as for the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring.”
Fabio Scherer, Ford Mustang GT3 #64: “I’m very excited and looking forward to the weekend. Getting back in the car and starting right on the Nordschleife is really cool. I’m very curious about the EVO package and how it will perform. I’m happy to be back at HRT, and I think it will be a good start. Let’s see what the weekend brings.”
Emil Gjerdrum, Ford Mustang GT3 #64: “I’m really looking forward to finally completing my first laps on the legendary Nordschleife in a GT3 car after the long journey to obtain my Permit A. I’m very grateful to HRT for this opportunity.”
David Schumacher, Ford Mustang GT3 #65: “There’s no better place to start the season than the Nürburgring Nordschleife, and I’m really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel for the first time this year. The Nordschleife is one of the most legendary and demanding race tracks in the world, and every lap there is something special for a driver. Together with Ford Racing and the Haupt Racing Team, we’re continuing our journey in the ‘Green Hell’ with the Ford Mustang GT3. I’m curious to see how we develop in the upcoming sessions, and hopefully the weather will cooperate.”
Frank Stippler, Ford Mustang GT3 #65: “I’m happy to be back at the starting line this season. We’re continuing to work on preparing the Ford Mustang GT3 project as best as possible for this year’s 24-hour race and the second half of the season. With the new evolution package, we need to adjust the setup accordingly and focus on optimizing the car as quickly and effectively as possible.”
