Boutsen VDS has partnered with D’Ieteren Luxury Performance for its 2026 GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS programme, which will see the Belgian squad field a pair of Porsche entries in the full 10-round series.
The collaboration was announced last Friday (9 January) at the the Brussels Motor Show, with representatives from both the team and its new partner present for the event. Both of the squad's Porsche 911 GT3 R machines are set to carry the D'Ieteren Luxury Performance colours this term, with a Pro car and a Gold Cup entry confirmed.
The Pro machine will be driven by a trio of official Porsche drivers. Dorian Boccolacci will run the full campaign, marking his return to Europe after a successful season in GT World Challenge Asia.
In the Endurance Cup, he will be joined by defending series champion Alessio Picariello and rising star Morris Schuring. The same two drivers will partner Boccolacci in the Sprint Cup, depending on their respective availability.
The second D'Ieteren Luxury Performance-backed Porsche will compete in the Gold Cup. Former class champion Gilles Magnus will lead the line, switching to Porsche after a long association with Audi. He will share with rookie Robin Knutsson – who was runner-up in last season's Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux – while a third and final driver will be confirmed at a later date.
Boutsen VDS switches to Porsche this year after two successful seasons with Mercedes-AMG, which delivered a pair of Silver Cup titles for Aurélien Panis and Cesar Gazeau. Porsche also enjoyed an excellent 2025 by clinching the Endurance Cup title with Rutronik Racing.
Created as a retail division for D’Ieteren’s luxury car brands, D’Ieteren Luxury Performance aims to become the vendor of choice for exclusive car manufacturers, focussing on excellent service, a personal and exclusive customer experience, and respect for people and the planet.
The 2026 GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS season gets underway at Circuit Paul Ricard on the weekend of 11/12 April, preceded by the official Prologue on 8/9 April.