IRON LYNX ANNOUCES EXPANDED ELMS PROGRAMME FOR 2026

Iron Lynx is delighted to announce its 2026 European Le Mans Series programme, which will involve a two-car effort with the Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 machinery.

Following a highly competitive season that saw it achieve three pole positions and two podium finishes, the team worked to expand its lineup for the upcoming season.

While the #63 car returns to consolidate the results achieved last season, the #62 will be added to the roster, in a high-value partnership with the Qatar Motor Sport Federation, supporting the #62 QMMF by Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG LMGT3.

The entry will be headlined by Abdulla Ali Al-Khelaifi. The 35-year-old Doha native started competing with touring cars in 2015, and found success in GT racing. In 2024, he won the 992 Endurance Cup – AM series and took first place in the 992 Cup class at the Gulf 12 Hours. More recently, he won the Middle East – 992 trophy and has made his debut in the Asian Le Mans Series.

The #63 Iron Lynx car will return to solidify the progress made this year. Ameerh Naran will be car’s bronze-rated driver. A 39-year-old Zimbawean, Naran started his racing endeavours relatively recently by competing at club level in the UK and impressing immediately. With promising results to his credit, he moved to the International GT Open while also making additional runs in the Michelin 24H Series and in the Gulf 12 Hours.

Reigning champion Rui Andrade will join him for the season. The Angolan was recently announced by the team for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship and will undertake an impressive double programme. Andrade, who just sealed the 2025 ELMS title with a spectacular win in Portimao, will compete with the Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 for the first time.

The 2026 ELMS season will kick off on in early April with the Barcelona Prologue. The remaining part of the team’s roster will be announced in due course.

We have been looking to expand our ELMS presence for quite a while, and we are delighted to partner with the Qatar Motor Sport Federation for the QMMF by Iron Lynx programme. We are looking forward to working with Abdulla to see what we will be able to achieve.

We are very happy to have Ameerh on board to continue the great form that we have been showing in the past year in ELMS. He has great passion and potential, and we want to support him with our best efforts to help him continue his growth and achieve more impressive results. Stepping up to ELMS will be a major change for him, and competing in such a high-level environment will require a lot of dedication, but we are confident that, by working together, we will be ready for the first race after a strong winter preparation.

We are also thrilled to see so many nationalities represented in our 2026 lineup. It is a great reward for the efforts we made to develop a strong international presence.

Andrea Piccini – Team Principal & CEO

ELMS always attracts strong lineup of teams and drivers from around the world. Looking forward to being part of Iron Lynx family in my first participation in this championship.

Abdulla Ali Al-Khelaifi, Driver car #62

I am thrilled to join Iron Lynx and take the next step in my racing career. I look forward to racing in the European Le Mans Series. The championship is extremely high-level, and it will surely be a challenge, but both the team and I are willing to put in the work and commitment required to succeed. The team demonstrated great potential with the Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 in 2025. I cannot wait to start the season!

Ameerh Naran, Driver car #63

I’m very excited to race in ELMS with Iron Lynx! Returning to ELMS as reigning LMGT3 champion adds extra motivation, and I can’t wait to go for it, this time in Iron Lynx colours in the Mercedes.

Rui Andrade, Driver car #63