With opening rounds of the ELMS and GT World Challenge plus racing on the Nürburgring, motorsport and specifically sportscar fans have a lot to get excited for this weekend.
Are you missing Formula One already? Well, you needn't be upset for too long as the wider world of motorsport has plenty of action to keep you on the edge of your seat all weekend long. Whilst the Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie is running its second race of the year - called NLS 3 due to the opener's cancellation - other European series are kicking off with a bang.
In Southern France, Paul Ricard hosts the opening round of GT World Challenge Europe and following the launch of Le Mans Ultimate's final ELMS pack, the European Le Mans Series is commencing its season at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. In total, that is 14 hours of racing across the weekend, and this is how you can watch.
2026 NLS 3 Live Stream
Last time out in the NLS, Max Verstappen joined his Verstappen.com teammates for a lights to flag win, a win that was later taken away for using too many tyre sets across the weekend. The Formula One ace joined other famous sim racers in person of Jimmy Broadbent, Steve Brown of SuperGT fame, and Misha Charoudin as they continue their Black Falcon endeavours, this time fronted by Fanatec logos. Meanwhile, NLS 2 was also the first time racing fans got to see the BMW M3 Touring 24H in all its racing glory as it prepares for its N24 debut.
But that is all in the past as this weekend sees the series move on to its third official round, NLS 3. Another four-hour race is on the cards for all involved. Sadly for Formula One fans, Max Verstappen will not be competing this time around as his teammates are busy fielding Mercedes cars in the GT World Challenge. However, the Dutchman will race in next weekend's 24H qualifier race.
Either way, 139 cars will take to the track this weekend for NLS 3 as the grid grows closer to what is expected to be a record-setting Nurburgring 24 Hours this May. In fact, this year's N24 grid looks to hit the 150-car limit, a level not seen since the pre-COVID days. If Verstappen's absence this weekend detracts you, fear not as for the first time, HWA will run its EVO.R Mercedes 190E recreation in competitive sessions ahead of its N24 debut.
With so many cars on track, expect the fight to be fierce in every class. This weekend is a four-hour affair with the race getting underway at 10:00 UTC with the entire contest available to watch live and free on YouTube.
2026 GT World Challenge Europe Paul Ricard Live
Whilst you will not be able to watch Max Verstappen racing this weekend, you will be able to see his car in competition. Verstappen Racing is fielding its Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo in this weekend's opening round of the GT World Challenge Europe. But that is not the only Formula One link to look out for at Paul Ricard.
Yes, the season once again gets underway at the old host of the French GP in the South of the country. But unlike a few years ago, the GTWC event at Paul Ricard returns to its traditional format of a 6pm start for a six-hour race. If you know your maths, you will know that results in a chequered flag waving at midnight, something the race has lacked up until last year.
Back to that F1 tie-in then and you will be as shocked as the rest of the world when we say Aston Martin Formula One driver Lance Stroll is the latest racer from the pinnacle of the sport competing in other championships. The Canadian driver that rarely seems to enjoy F1 let alone racing will join Roberto Merhi and Mari Boya aboard the #18 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage.
SRO Motorsport-sanctioned events have long been free to watch and that will not change for 2026. The opening round will be broadcast live to YouTube on the GT World channel, the race getting underway on Saturday 11 April at 16:00 UTC.
How to Watch ELMS In 2026
If all that wasn't enough for you on the Saturday of this weekend, the European Le Mans Series is also getting its season off the ground on Sunday with yet another four hours of sportscar endurance motorsport. So if Le Mans Ultimate's Version 1.3 update has you in the mood for Catalan competition, you will want to compare the real thing to your LMU online racing.
Much like the NLS, the European Le Mans Series is experiencing a rapid boom in 2026 with a capacity grid of 47 cars taking part this weekend. That includes 23 LMP2 cars, 10 LMP3 and 14 LMGT3 racers. For P2 and GT3, a collection of 2027 Le Mans 24 Hour invitations are on the line, so the battles will be brutal.
Where in previous years, the European Le Mans Series was available to watch live and free on YouTube, the contest has now been packaged up into the new WEC+ app. On the downside, that does mean those wanting to watch this weekend's action will need to download yet another app from the store and register for an account. But on the plus side, ELMS, AsLMS and Le Mans Cup do not require a subscription to watch, so it remains free.
The green flag flies at 10:00 UTC on Sunday.
What racing are you going to watch this weekend? Let us know in the comments or join the discussion in our motorsport forum!