Abt Sportsline has officially unveiled its vehicle designs for the 2026 DTM season, introducing the brand new Lamborghini Temerario GT3 wrapped in the iconic Red Bull livery. The reveal took place just one day before the official DTM test at the Red Bull Ring, setting the stage for a season defined by a complete overhaul of the team’s machinery and personnel.
The decision to stick with the Red Bull look is a nod to the team’s long-standing relationship with the energy drink giant, a partnership that has spanned decades and multiple racing series. For Abt Sportsline, the 2026 campaign is not merely about a new car, but a strategic reset aimed at reclaiming a competitive edge after a challenging previous year.
The transition to the Temerario GT3 comes at a critical juncture for the Kempten-based squad. After recording its worst team result since 2018—finishing seventh in the championship with only half the points of the GRT-Lamborghini outfit—Abt is under pressure to prove it can maximize the potential of Lamborghini’s latest factory-supported hardware.
A New Era of Drivers and Identity
Alongside the new hardware, Abt Sportsline has completely refreshed its cockpit. The team has parted ways with Mirko Bortolotti, who moves to GRT-Lamborghini, and Nicki Thiim, who joins Comtoyou-Aston-Martin. In their place, the team has secured two Lamborghini works drivers: Luca Engstler and Marco Mapelli.
Engstler, hailing from Allgäu, will carry a significant piece of team history on his door. He will compete with start number #130, a deliberate choice to commemorate the 130th anniversary of Abt Sportsline. His car features distinct yellow accents on the exterior mirrors and front flaps to distinguish it from its teammate.
Marco Mapelli, the 38-year-old Italian, makes his DTM debut this season. Mapelli is one of four newcomers entering the 2026 field, joining Finn Wiebelhaus (HRT-Ford), Matteo Cairoli (Emil-Frey-Ferrari), and Bastian Buus (Land-Porsche). Mapelli’s #10 Lamborghini will be identified by red mirror caps and red elements on the wing.
The Depth of the Red Bull Partnership
The presence of the Red Bull livery on the Temerario GT3 is more than a contemporary sponsorship deal; it is a revival of a relationship that dates back to 1997, when the Austrian brand first appeared on an Abt racer in the STW championship. This bond was further solidified in the DTM, where Red Bull served as a partner for the Kempten team from 2002 through 2018, before returning again in 2024.
Harry Unflath, the long-time marketing director for Abt Sportsline and a close friend of the late Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, emphasizes that the relationship has evolved beyond traditional financial backing. According to Unflath, “Strong partnerships are the decisive factor for sustainable success in motorsport. It’s no longer just about classic sponsorship areas, but about real collaboration, shared content and a functioning network.”
This collaborative approach is designed to provide the team with a stable foundation as they navigate the technical learning curve of a brand-new GT3 platform. The integration of Red Bull’s brand identity and Abt’s engineering pedigree is intended to create a synergy that translates into on-track performance.
Racing Against the Clock
Despite the polished reveal of the liveries, the team is facing a daunting timeline. Abt Sportsline reported receiving its two Temerario GT3 units relatively late, a consequence of the limited number of chassis currently available from Lamborghini. This has left the crew with an extremely tight window for preparation and setup before the season opener.
The lack of testing time is a significant variable. While the designs are finalized, the team must now rapidly translate that aesthetic confidence into mechanical reliability and pace. The pressure is amplified by the fact that they are entering their second year as a factory-supported Lamborghini team, meaning the “honeymoon phase” of the partnership is over; results are now the primary metric of success.
2026 Driver Lineup and Vehicle Specifications
| Driver | Car Number | Vehicle Model | Accents/Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luca Engstler | #130 | Lamborghini Temerario GT3 | Yellow mirrors & flaps |
| Marco Mapelli | #10 | Lamborghini Temerario GT3 | Red mirrors & wing |
The Road to the Red Bull Ring
The immediate focus for the team is the season start at the Red Bull Ring, scheduled for April 24-26, 2026. The timing of the reveal—occurring on home turf for their primary sponsor—was a calculated move to build momentum. However, the real test will be whether the Temerario GT3 can outperform the “Evo” versions of its competitors, which have had more time for refinement.
Abt is not the only team making headlines this week. Defending champion Manthey has likewise unveiled its Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo fleet, including the “Grello” for Thomas Preining and the “Greeno” for newcomer Ricardo Feller. The contrast between the refined Porsches and the brand-new Lamborghinis will be one of the primary storylines of the opening rounds.
The team’s ability to bounce back from seventh place in the standings will depend on how quickly Mapelli and Engstler can adapt to the Temerario’s characteristics. If the team can overcome the initial lack of preparation time, the combined force of Red Bull’s backing and Lamborghini’s engineering could return Abt Sportsline to the front of the grid.
The next critical checkpoint for the team is the official race weekend at the Red Bull Ring from April 24-26, where the Temerario GT3 will face its first competitive litmus test in the 2026 season.
We want to hear from you. Do you reckon the new Temerario GT3 will be the car to beat in 2026? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on our social channels.
