The 2026 GT World Challenge Europe season has already delivered encouraging signs for Nicki Thiim and Comtoyou Racing, with the Belgian squad opening the year strongly across both the Endurance Cup and Sprint Cup campaigns.
Paul Ricard victory provides early momentum
Comtoyou Racing made the perfect start to the Endurance Cup season at Circuit Paul Ricard, where the #007 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 of Nicki Thiim, Mattia Drudi, and Marco Sørensen claimed victory after a late-race pass on the Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3. Despite the #48 Mercedes controlling much of the six-hour contest, Comtoyou capitalised in the closing stages to secure a statement victory in the opening round of the championship.
The result immediately provided momentum for the Comtoyou operation heading into the new season.
“Obviously, it’s what we do and what we love, and it gives the whole crew, not just the drivers but the entire Comtoyou and Aston Martin family, a big boost,” Thiim said. “Paul Ricard is an important race as it’s a six-hour event.”
Strong recovery drives at Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch proved to be another positive weekend for the team, even if the outright results did not fully reflect the pace shown across both races. The #007 pairing of Thiim and Kobe Pauwels produced two standout recovery drives, finishing ninth and fourteenth after fighting through the field on both occasions.
Widely regarded as one of the most demanding circuits on the GT World Challenge Europe calendar, the Grand Prix layout once again received praise from Thiim.
“Driving here, 10 out of 10, one of the best tracks there is, because it’s still one of those old-school racetracks. Elevation, commitment, you’ve got everything here, so I’m sure every driver in the paddock would say it’s one of the highlights of the season.”
Title ambitions
While overtaking around the narrow Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit remains notoriously difficult in modern GT3 machinery, Thiim remains fully focused on the bigger objective for 2026.
“I think the goal is always to go in and win the championship, otherwise we are the wrong one for the job. Right now, we want to be fighting at the front.”
With an Endurance Cup victory already secured at Paul Ricard and strong recovery performances in the Sprint Cup opener at Brands Hatch, Thiim and Comtoyou Racing leave the opening phase of the season with clear momentum as their attention turns towards the second round of the Endurance Cup in Monza on 29-31 May.
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