The 2026 24 Hours of Nurburgring is set to feature a very special journey through time. As Timo Glock heads into the "Green Hell" this year, he isn't just bringing the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo back to the Nordschleife with Dorr Motorsport - he’s doing so in a livery that is making fans' hearts race worldwide.
Sporting the Bitburger design, Dorr is paying tribute to the Benetton B195, the legendary car in which Michael Schumacher clinched his second Formula 1 world championship title in 1995. This livery also recalls Schumacher's unforgettable race at the Nurburgring that same year, featuring his daring late-race overtake on Jean Alesi.
For Glock, this project is far more than just a visual gimmick; it is a profound tribute to his idol. "It looked amazing and emotional in photos, but seeing it live here, getting to wear this incredible suit, and having Michael's original car standing right there—it’s pure emotion," the former Formula 1 pilot said, describing his feelings.
Glock followed Schumacher’s career on television as a young boy. The fact that the project was realized with the explicit support of the Schumacher family and the Keep Fighting Foundation adds an extra layer of significance.
Glock sees it as a way to give something back to the man who triggered the motorsport boom in Germany, laying the foundation for the careers of many of today's racing drivers.
The project's origin story was marked by hurdles and immense effort. The idea was born back in December during a conversation between Glock and his long-time friend Carsten Schwinn. As Motorsport.com Germany has learned, the project was initially planned with a Mercedes-AMG team.
Originally, Glock and Schwinn intended to cooperate with Kenny Habul’s 75 Express Racing team. Habul had planned to contest the entire Intercontinental GT Challenge but withdrew due to safety concerns.
This stemmed from his serious accident at Raidillon during the 24 Hours of Spa in 2023. This sudden withdrawal left Glock without a car just three weeks before the 24h Qualifiers.
In this precarious situation, the structure of Dorr Motorsport proved to be a decisive advantage. As a family-run business, the team could react much more flexibly than a traditional factory team. The entire program was reorganised in record time.
This reshuffling led to veteran Volker Strycek stepping down from the SP9 cockpit to make room, now competing in an Opel Corsa and the Posavac-Z4, thus clearing the way for Glock in the McLaren. "We would never have managed this in time with a factory team," Glock admitted.
Now, Dorr Motorsport faces the massive challenge of tackling the endurance classic with minimal preparation. The race is receiving unprecedented visibility this year, aided by the presence of Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen.
Technical preparation has been extremely condensed. Glock himself admitted to having only three laps of experience in the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo. His team-mate Timo Scheider and McLaren factory driver Marvin Kirchhofer have even fewer kilometers behind the wheel.
Only Ben Dorr can draw on a bit more experience from Nordschleife outings in 2024. Nevertheless, confidence remains high as the car has proven reliable so far.
Despite the euphoria, a threat hangs over Glock’s entry. After an incident in a Code 60 zone during the Qualifiers, he already has two penalty points on his account. Three points would lead to the loss of his Nordschleife License (DMSB Permit Nordschleife).
Glock explained that he missed a marshal at the edge of the woods in the Metzgesfeld section because the post was positioned in a very difficult spot to see. "You never really look up there," the DTM driver noted.
