Reigning Champions Kessel Racing return to the Asian Le Mans Series with Car Guy Ferrari

Kessel Racing returns to the Asian Le Mans Series as reigning GT team champion and is determined to defend its title in 2026/2027. The Swiss team will concentrate its efforts on a single entry, the #57 Car Guy Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo, with an exceptionally strong line-up of Takeshi Kimura, Mathys Jaubert and Esteban Masson – a combination of race winners and championship experience.

Kessel Racing heads into the new season as reigning champion, after the #74 Ferrari 296 GT3 of Dustin Blattner, Dennis Marschall and Chris Lulham secured the GT team classification in 2025/2026 with two victories and a further podium – a title that also earned the team a second entry for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

For 2026/2027, Kessel Racing fields an all-new driver line-up. Takeshi Kimura returns to the Asian Le Mans Series after a year’s absence, having contested four seasons in the championship since 2018, when he won his class. He is joined by Mathys Jaubert, his team-mate in the #57 Car Guy Ferrari in the 2026 European Le Mans Series, where the pair won the 4 Hours of Le Castellet together with Daniel Serra. Mathys Jaubert also claimed Bronze class victory with Kessel Racing at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa this year. Completing the line-up is Esteban Masson, who returns to Kessel Racing after racing for the Swiss squad in 2024.

Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, the 2026/2027 Asian Le Mans Series moves to Europe for a one-off season. The calendar features three double-header events, each made up of two four-hour races, giving a total of six races. The season opens at Circuit Paul Ricard from 13th to 15th November 2026, continues at the Circuito de Jerez Ángel Nieto from 15th to 17th January 2027 and concludes at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão from 19th to 21st February 2027.

Once again, a lot is at stake: the GT3 champions will receive an automatic invitation to the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans. With up to 47 cars on the grid and the Hypercar class joining the series for the first time, the 2026/2027 season promises a highly competitive field.

TEAM QUOTE
Ronnie Kessel, Team Principal
“Winning the Asian Le Mans Series last season was a great achievement for the whole team, and we come back with the clear goal of fighting for the title again. With Takeshi Kimura, Mathys Jaubert and Esteban Masson we have a strong and experienced line-up, and racing on circuits we know well in Europe gives us a good basis for the season. The invitation to Le Mans is a big motivation for everyone.”