Indian race car driver Akshay Gupta will take the next step in his endurance racing career in 2026 by competing in a Porsche GT4 machine in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS).

Akshay Gupta moves up to the GT4 class with Sorg Rennsport

The 33-year-old driver from Ahmedabad has signed with the German team Sorg Rennsport for the upcoming season.

Gupta will drive the #949 Porsche Cayman GT4 CS in the Cup3 class, which forms part of the Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring (PETN). The category is known for its highly competitive one-make format where all teams run identical Porsche cars, making driver skill a decisive factor in race results. He will share driving duties with German racers Darian Donkel and Aaron Wenisch. Gupta had previously raced with Donkel during the 2025 season, giving the trio some familiarity as they prepare for the upcoming championship. The Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie is one of the toughest endurance racing championships in the world, featuring multiple long-distance races held on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany.

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Strong performances in the production class paved the way

Gupta’s promotion to the GT4 category follows three seasons in the production classes of the NLS, where he competed using Hyundai and BMW machinery. During this period, he secured six podium finishes and two race victories, building a strong reputation in the series.

Reflecting on the move, Gupta said his experience in the production classes helped him develop the skills needed to step up the GT racing ladder. GT4 cars represent the next level of performance and competition in endurance racing. The Cup3 category regularly attracts one of the largest grids in the NLS championship. In the opening race of the 2026 season alone, the class featured 21 entries, underlining the level of competition Gupta will face. Despite the challenge, Gupta has set his sights on winning the Pro-Am championship in the Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring.

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He will also remain the only Indian driver competing in the full Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie championship for a third consecutive season, continuing to represent India in one of the world’s most demanding endurance racing series.