Absolute Racing has confirmed its entry and driver line-up for the 2026 Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, with Matt Campbell and Alessio Picariello returning to the team alongside Bastian Buus. The programme is once again run in partnership with Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific.

The 2026 event will mark Absolute Racing’s third appearance at Mount Panorama, continuing a growing Bathurst presence that dates back to the team’s debut in 2020.

Proven Porsche trio confirmed

Matt Campbell returns to Bathurst as the 2019 and 2024 race winner and current IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTP titleholder, while Alessio Picariello arrives as a GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup race winner. Bastian Buus completes the line-up, bringing experience as the 2023 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup champion and a Bathurst podium finisher on his 2024 debut.

Campbell said the familiarity within the team was a key factor, explaining: “This will be my third time competing at Bathurst 12 Hour with Absolute Racing. I’m looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and I think we’ve got a strong line-up with Bastian and Alessio. As an Australian it’s one of the highlights of the season, so we’re aiming to have a strong weekend and battle for a podium finish.”

Buus highlighted the combination of drivers and team experience, adding: “I’m super excited to be working with Absolute Racing for the first time at Bathurst 12 Hour. I know Matt and Alessio well so I’m sure that we will have a great event. With the driver line-up and the experience of the team, I’m confident that we can fight at the front throughout the enduro.”

Picariello underlined the appeal of the event itself, stating: “It’s one of the coolest events of the year and one of the best race tracks in the world, and always brings extra excitement thanks to being early in the season.”

Focus on converting pace into results

Team Principal Fabien Fior said the aim for 2026 is to turn previous speed into a podium result, noting: “We have fond memories of this event, having secured pole position and led the race in 2020, and leading it again in 2024. This time, we will be aiming to convert that pace into the podium finish that has so far eluded us.”

Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Managing Director Alexandre Gibot also pointed to the strength of the line-up, saying: “We have a competitive line-up at Absolute Racing, with Matt, Bastian and Alessio all having raced at the event previously.”

Third Bathurst entry for Absolute Racing

Absolute Racing first competed at the Bathurst 12 Hour in 2020, when Campbell secured Porsche’s maiden pole position at the event. The team returned in 2025 with Campbell, Picariello and Ayhancan Güven, finishing sixth overall after running competitively throughout the race.

The 2026 Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour takes place from 13–15 February and will mark the opening of the Intercontinental GT Challenge season.

2026 BATHURST 12 HOUR GRID UPDATE