Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter Claims Pole at 2026 GT World Challenge

Lucas Auer, Luca Stolz, and Maro Engel secure top spot at Circuit Paul Ricard in dramatic qualifying session

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:28am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, colorful blur of a Mercedes-AMG GT3 race car, conveying the dynamic motion and energy of the qualifying session at Circuit Paul Ricard.The Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter's pole-winning car blurs into a symphony of speed and power, capturing the intensity of the 2026 GT World Challenge season opener.Chicago Today

The 2026 GT World Challenge season has kicked off at Circuit Paul Ricard, and it's Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter that has seized the early advantage, securing the ROWE Pole Position Award. The qualifying session was a masterclass in tension, with Luca Stolz and Maro Engel delivering standout performances to clinch pole position by a razor-thin margin.

Why it matters

This early pole position for Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter suggests a powerful synergy within the team, and hints at a season where the margins between the top contenders will be incredibly fine. The close battle between Mercedes and the Garage 59 McLaren is exactly the kind of drama that will captivate fans throughout the GT World Challenge campaign.

The details

In Q1, Lucas Auer laid a solid foundation for the team, but it was Luca Stolz who truly ignited the charge by topping Q2. This put Maro Engel in a prime position for the final segment, and despite facing intense pressure, he managed to hold on, clinching pole by just 0.054 seconds over the Garage 59 McLaren of Benjamin Goethe, Louis Prette, and Thomas Fleming.

  • Lucas Auer set the pace in Q1.
  • Luca Stolz topped Q2 to put the team in a strong position.
  • Maro Engel clinched pole position in the final segment, beating the Garage 59 McLaren by a narrow margin.

The players

Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter

The Mercedes-AMG team that secured pole position at the 2026 GT World Challenge season opener at Circuit Paul Ricard.

Lucas Auer

One of the drivers for Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter, who laid the foundation in Q1.

Luca Stolz

A new face in the #48 Mamba-liveried Mercedes-AMG car, who topped Q2 to put the team in a strong position.

Maro Engel

The driver who clinched pole position for Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter in the final qualifying segment.

Garage 59 McLaren

The McLaren team that came agonizingly close to snatching pole position, with Benjamin Goethe, Louis Prette, and Thomas Fleming at the wheel.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The opening race of the 2026 GT World Challenge season will be a must-watch event, as fans eagerly anticipate whether Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter can maintain their early dominance.

The takeaway

This qualifying session has set the stage for an exciting and unpredictable GT World Challenge season, where the margins between the top teams and drivers will be razor-thin. The ability to perform under immense pressure, even when not at the absolute peak, will be the true hallmark of the champions.