Boccolacci, Schuring Join Boutsen VDS Porsche Effort

Boccolacci spent the past year as Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific’s Selected Driver and contested a range of different series at the wheel of a 911 GT3 R, including GT World Challenge Asia and the Nurburgring Endurance Series.

With the Frenchman subsequently becoming a contracted driver for the German manufacturer, he has now joined Boutsen as the team switches to the Porsche fold for 2026.

Boccolacci told Sportscar365 last year that his experiences with Porsche had made him a “more complete driver.”

His last full GTWC Europe campaign came back in 2020 when he drove a Sainteloc Racing-run Audi R8 LMS Evo GT3.

Schuring, meanwhile, is set to contest eight of the ten rounds, as the Dutchman will be forced to miss two Sprint Cup events due to his IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup commitments with Manthey Racing.

“I know them both (Dorian and Alessio) well,” said Schuring. “Last year, the three of us competed for the same team in races on the Nordschleife, and I get on very well with both drivers.”

The No. 2 Boutsen VDS entry is understood to be one of only two Porsche 911 GT3 R Evos in the Pro class this year.

“I consider it an honor that they have chosen me for this and it also shows that Porsche has confidence in me,” Schuring added.

Upon the announcement, the Boutsen team described the combination as a “powerful and ambitious trio” and has also revealed that Gilles Magnus and Robin Knutsson will drive a sister Gold Cup entry.

Magnus was previously a series regular with the Sainteloc Audi operation while GTWC Europe rookie Knutsson graduates from one-make Porsche competition.