Kessel Racing returns to Le Mans with a Historic Double Entry
Kessel Racing is proud to participate in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans again this year. The world’s most prestigious endurance race will take place on the Circuit de la Sarthe on 13th and 14th June. For the third time in the team´s history, the Swiss squad will field two Ferraris in the LMGT3 category since 2019 and 2023, marking a landmark milestone in Kessel Racing’s long and distinguished relationship with Le Mans.
The 2026 edition represents the team’s sixth official appearance – and by far its most ambitious. The #57 Ferrari 296 LMGT3 Evo will be driven by Takeshi Kimura, Conrad Laursen and Ferrari Factory driver Daniel Serra, whilst the sister car #74 Ferrari 296 LMGT3 Evo will be shared by Dustin Blattner, Lorenzo Patrese and Dennis Marschall.
The #57 entry is built around a trio that blends consistency, pace and championship pedigree. Japanese racer Takeshi Kimura brings the technical precision and strategic insight that have made him a cornerstone of the Kessel effort over several years. Alongside him, Ferrari Factory driver Daniel Serra contributes an outstanding track record in GT endurance racing, with multiple class wins and deep experience on the world’s most demanding circuits. Completing the line-up, Danish talent Conrad Laursen adds youthful energy and impressive speed, making car #57 a perfectly balanced and highly competitive package.
The sister #74 Ferrari 296 LMGT3 Evo will be entrusted to an equally formidable trio. American driver Dustin Blattner has proven his speed in his young career and brings extra motivation to his first-ever Le Mans appearance. He will be joined by young talent Lorenzo Patrese, a name synonymous with Italian racing heritage, who brings natural speed and a fierce competitive spirit to the cockpit. German racer Dennis Marschall, who also celebrates his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, like his two teammates, rounds up the #74 crew – bringing significant experience from premier GT series and a reputation as a precise and relentless competitor. Together, this line-up makes car #74 a genuine contender.
With two entries on the grid, the objective for Kessel Racing in 2026 is clear: to challenge for strong results in the LMGT3 category and to demonstrate the full depth and capability of the team.
Road to Le Mans – Not just a support race
The Road to Le Mans serves as the third round of the Michelin Le Mans Cup. For the first time, the race will run for three hours on the Friday before the big 24 Hours of Le Mans. Kessel Racing will line-up with two Ferrari entries, fielding a strong combination of experienced gentlemen drivers and talented young racers. The #17 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo will be driven by the Italian duo Lorenzo Innocenti and David Fumanelli – coming freshly from a class win in Paul Ricard, whilst the #21 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo will see Brit Oscar Ryndziewicz celebrating his debut alongside Italian Giacomo Altoè.
Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Europe – Debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Kessel Racing will also field five Ferraris in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Europe, a championship that debuts as part of the 24 Hours of Le Mans program. Jan Sandmann, Fons Scheltema and Ernst Kirchmayr will all start in the Coppa Shell class, with Jean Ryu, who won both races at the last round at the Red Bull Ring, completing the AM entry. In the Trofeo Pirelli, thanks to a partnership with The Collection, Kessel Racing will see the return of Dylan Medler, who already raced successfully for the team during the 2025/2026 Asian Le Mans Cup Series. There will be two Ferrari Challenge races held over 45 minutes lengths. The first will be on Thursday evening, the second race early on Saturday morning.
Follow Kessel Racing throughout the race weekend for live updates, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive interviews via the Instagram channel kessel_ch.
