Bathurst 12 Hour 2026 Preview: A new battle begins at The Mountain

The famous Bathurst circuit always gives us unforgettable moments. After an emotional and historic 2025 race, where BMW secured a remarkable 1-2 finish, all eyes are now on the 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour. The competition looks even stronger this year, with new cars, big names, and fresh rivalries ready to challenge The Mountain once again.

Looking Back at 2025: BMW’s Perfect Year

Car #32 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 Evo, driven by Kelvin and Sheldon van der Linde with Augusto Farfus, delivered a near-perfect race. Their fuel strategy and pit stops were excellent, helping them beat their rivals in the most important moments.

Valentino Rossi also had a special moment. He was very close to his first Bathurst win but had to settle for second place after a tense strategy battle in the final part of the race. Even without the win, Rossi proved he is a serious endurance racing competitor.

After finishing second in 2025, Valentino Rossi returns in 2026 with a new weapon: the BMW M4 GT3 EVO. The updated car is expected to be more competitive and more stable.

Together with Bathurst experts like Raffaele Marciello and Augusto Farfus, Rossi is aiming for his first Bathurst victory

2026 Preview: “American Muscle” Takes the Mountain

With factory support from HRT, the Ford Mustang GT3 will finally race at Mount Panorama. With strong drivers like Broc Feeney, Dennis Olsen and Christopher Mies, the Mustang brings big expectations. Its powerful V8 sound will surely excite the fans. Ford comes to compete for victory.

Johor Motorsports Racing (JMR) brings the Corvette Z06 GT3.R to international competition. With experienced drivers like Alexander Sims, Earl Bamber and Nicky Catsburg, this entry is one of the most anticipated in the GT3 class. The Corvette is known for being strong and reliable in endurance races.

The Big Rivals: Mercedes-AMG, Porsche and Audi

Mercedes-AMG may not have won in 2025, but they remain a strong threat. Jules Gounon is still considered one of the fastest drivers at this circuit teaming up with Luca Stolz and Australian Legend Kenny Habul in #75 75Express Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO

Porsche also comes with strong potential this year through Team EBM. With Ricardo Feller, Laurin Heinrich, and Klaus Bachler in the lineup, they have a solid and experienced group of GT drivers. This combination could make the fight at the front even tighter.

Audi continues to be one of the dominant forces on this year’s grid with the R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, operated by local specialist Melbourne Performance Centre (MPC). The German manufacturer has a strong presence across several classes. In the Pro class, the team relies on elite drivers such as Will Brown and Christopher Haase. Meanwhile, the Pro-Am and Bronze entries are strengthened by experienced names like James Golding, as well as the unique three-generation Quinn family lineup.

More Contenders Join the Fight

This year, Ferrari returns to Bathurst with Arise Racing GT. The team will run the 296 GT3, driven by a mix of Australian local drivers and European factory drivers. Their main focus is to combine technical experience from GT World Challenge Europe with the unique and bumpy surface of Mount Panorama.

British manufacturer McLaren enters the race through Optimum Motorsport and Volante Rosso with the 720S GT3 Evo. This year, their drivers are well distributed between the Pro and Silver classes. The presence of young talented drivers shows McLaren’s long-term strategy to stay competitive in endurance racing, while using performance data collected from previous seasons.

The 2026 season marks an important moment for Aston Martin with the Vantage AMR GT3 Evo on the Bathurst grid. Volante Rosso Motorsport will operate the car in the Pro-Am class. This entry adds more variety and strength to the competition.

Lamborghini continues with the Huracan GT3 EVO2, operated by Wall Racing. While many manufacturers have moved to turbo engines, Lamborghini remains loyal to its V10. This year, the program is supported by factory drivers to ensure the local team receives strong technical backing.

Bathurs 12 Hour Schedule

One of the most extreme parts of Bathurst is the early start. The race begins at 5:45 AM in the dark. Drivers must go through morning fog at Skyline and then reach speeds over 280 km/h on Conrod Straight before sunrise.

Here is the full schedule for the 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour (Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour), taking place this weekend, 13–15 February 2026.
Main Schedule – Bathurst 12 Hour 2026