Nova Race will bring back the Honda NSX GT3 Evo to the Italian GT Championship (CIGT) Endurance grid in 2026, adding a third car to its lineup alongside its BMW M4 GT3 machinery.

Honda return follows switch to BMW

The Varese-based team had confirmed it would campaign the BMW M4 GT3 Evo in both Sprint and Endurance championships, ending a five-year collaboration with Honda and JAS Motorsport. That partnership yielded major milestones, including Honda’s first overall Italian GT victory in 2021 and the 2022 Sprint title with Jacopo Guidetti and Leonardo Moncini.

Rather than a complete departure, Nova Race will now run the NSX GT3 Evo as part of an expanded Endurance effort, with the car entered in the GT3 Am class starting from the opening round at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

A familiar lineup

The Honda will be driven by team owner Luca Magnoni, Alessandro Marchetti and Paolo Rocca, a trio closely associated with the team.

Team manager Christian Pescatori welcomed the return of the car. “I’m very proud to bring the Honda GT3 back to the Italian Endurance Championship,” he said. “It was a very strong car last year, and this season we’ll run it in the GT3 Am class.”

He highlighted the continuity of the crew: “We have Luca Magnoni, the team owner, who is now very experienced in this category, together with Alessandro Marchetti, who will be alongside him for the full season. Paolo Rocca also joins them after a very strong year with us, where he showed great pace.”

Expectations for strong results

Looking ahead, Pescatori expressed confidence in the package. “We expect to be very competitive and to achieve strong results in our category.”

The decision to retain the Honda alongside the new BMW program leaves Nova Race with a dual approach for 2026, combining a fresh manufacturer partnership with a proven car and established lineup aimed at success in the GT3 Am class.

The Endurance season is set to begin on 8-10 May at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.