Manthey approaches 2025 with new line-up – but same goals
Defending FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 title-winner Manthey Racing will head into battle in 2025 with a new line-up aboard its #92 Porsche 911 GT3 R – but with its sights set firmly on silverware once more.
Manthey returned to FIA WEC this year following a season’s sabbatical prompted by the end of Porsche’s GTE-Pro works programme – but immediately, it was like the Meuspath-based outfit had never been away.
Dominating the new LMGT3 category with four triumphs from eight races – including the series’ jewel in the crown, the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans – on only one occasion did neither of its crews reach the rostrum, securing the #92 Manthey PureRxcing trio the championship laurels with a round to spare, as the sister #91 Manthey EMA entry finished runner-up.
It has already been announced that the Iron Dames will team up with Manthey in one of the team’s two Porsches (#85) next year, with the #92 911 GT3 R set to be shared by Richard Lietz, Ryan Hardwick and Riccardo Pera under the new 1st Phorm banner. The Austrian – one of the three winning drivers at Le Mans last summer – moves across from the #91 car as the only returnee, while his two team-mates are new to Manthey, if not to endurance racing.
Hardwick raced a Ford Mustang GT3 in FIA WEC in 2024 – scoring points in half of the races – while Pera piloted a Ferrari in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS). Both have achieved success in Porsche machinery in the past – the American claiming class wins in the 24 Hours of Daytona and ELMS, and the Italian twice ascending the podium at Le Mans in the LMGTE Am category. The pair will make their Manthey debut in the forthcoming Asian Le Mans Series (ALMS).
Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director, Manthey Racing GmbH, said:
“After an extremely successful return to FIA WEC in 2024, our goal for 2025 is clear – we want to be back at the top of the championship. With the Iron Dames and 1st Phorm, we have strong partners at our side and two competitive driver line-ups. The team is highly motivated, and we are looking forward to the challenges of the new season.”
Ryan Hardwick said:
“As a lifelong Porsche enthusiast, it’s a dream come true for me to race for Manthey in the World Endurance Championship. Manthey has proven to be the team to beat in this series, and I am honoured to help write the next chapter in its rich history.
“I’m also very excited about our driver line-up in the #92 car! Richard is one of the most experienced drivers in the paddock, and he and I won the Rolex 24 At Daytona together in 2022, so we know each other quite well, while Riccardo has a ton of experience racing Porsches in FIA WEC and at Le Mans. I believe the three of us make a very strong package, and together with Manthey’s knowledge and expertise, we aim to compete for race wins and the world championship.”
Richard Lietz said:
“I’m very excited to be racing with Manthey in FIA WEC after our successes this year, and the 2024-25 ALMS season will be great preparation. It's especially great to be back in a Porsche with Ryan, having won the 24 Hours of Daytona together. We will give everything to fight for the LMGT3 title and, of course, to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With Manthey, we have a well-rehearsed and experienced team behind us. With a strong overall package, we are well-positioned for 2025.”
Riccardo Pera said:
“I’m glad to finally get to step up to Manthey and be back in FIA WEC. Our line-up in the #92 is great and I’m sure we’ll be strong and work hard to get great results. I can’t wait to meet and start working with all the team members, as well as Ryan and Richard!”
