The 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by AWS season began in emphatic fashion with Round 1 at Sonoma Raceway, as JMF Motorsports converted pole position into a commanding overall victory in the series’ new three-hour endurance format.
At the same time, GMG Racing produced a standout recovery to win in Pro-Am, while AF Corse delivered a composed drive to secure honours in the Am class. Altogether, the opening round provided a clear indication of the intensity and strategic complexity that will define the season ahead.
2026 GTWC America: Sonoma: Practice Sessions highlight close competition
From the outset, the field demonstrated remarkable parity across all three practice sessions. Initially, GMG Racing set the early benchmark in Practice 1, with the No. 32 Porsche 911 GT3 R of Tom Sargent and Kyle Washington leading overall and in Pro-Am with a 1:34.023 lap. However, the margin remained narrow, as Kellymoss followed just 0.120 seconds behind, while AF Corse USA led the Pro class in third overall.
In Practice 2, JMF Motorsports surged to the front. Michai Stephens and Mikaël Grenier topped the session with a 1:33.233 lap, edging GMG Racing by a mere 0.002 seconds. Wright Motorsports and TR3 Racing also remained within striking distance, reinforcing how competitive the grid had become.
By Practice 3, Kellymoss responded strongly by locking out the top two positions. Michael Clark and Colin Braun led the way, narrowly ahead of teammates Riley Dickinson and Todd Parriott. Meanwhile, JMF Motorsports continued to show pace in Pro, and AF Corse consistently controlled the Am category.
Results: Practice 1, Results: Practice 2, Results: Practice 3
2026 GTWC America: Sonoma: Qualifying format shake-up rewards consistency
The revised qualifying format for 2026 combined lap times from two separate sessions to determine the starting grid for a single three-hour race. Therefore, teams had to balance outright speed with consistency across both runs, as a single mistake could compromise their overall position.
This format immediately added complexity, as track evolution, tyre management, and timing of laps became decisive factors.
Results: Qualifying 1, Results: Qualifying 2, Results: Combined Qualifying
Pro Class Qualifying
Qualifying 1: Late Improvements decide order
In the first qualifying session, the Pro field remained tightly packed throughout. As the session progressed, several drivers traded fastest laps, with the order constantly evolving.
Ultimately, Michai Stephens delivered when it mattered most. He produced a late flying lap in the No. 34 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO to secure the fastest time in class. His effort placed him 0.2 seconds clear of Alex Sedgwick in the No. 6 Dollahite Racing Ford Mustang GT3.
Behind them, Michael McCann Jr. surged into third position late in the session in the No. 8 McCann Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R, demonstrating how critical timing proved in maximising track conditions.
Qualifying 2: Grenier takes early control
In the second session, Mikaël Grenier asserted control from the outset. The Mercedes factory driver quickly moved to the top of the timing screens and maintained his advantage for much of the session.
Cameron Lawrence emerged as his closest challenger in the Ford Mustang GT3, while Frederik Schandorff secured third for AF Corse with a late improvement in the Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo.
Although others attempted to respond in the closing minutes, Grenier’s early benchmark remained unbeaten.
Combined result: JMF secures overall pole
By combining the results of both sessions, JMF Motorsports emerged as the clear benchmark. Stephens’ late effort in Qualifying 1, coupled with Grenier’s control in Qualifying 2, secured the overall pole position for the No. 34 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO.
“It’s a good way to start the morning,” said Grenier. “The car’s been running well, and we’re building on last year. I think we can have a good season, but we need to go lap by lap and try to score as many points as possible early in the year, which we didn’t always do last season.”
Stephens added: “It’s truly a testament to the organization first, and to this beautiful machine we have underneath us, as well as my teammate. The platform is tremendous and does everything well when you treat it right, and we’re just enjoying the relationship. Mikaël and I have a genuine amount of respect for one another, and we’ll always put the other first if we can.”
Pro-Am Qualifying
Qualifying 1: Last-lap shuffle defines the order
The Pro-Am category delivered immediate drama in its opening session. Nicolai Elghanayan appeared set to claim the fastest time in the No. 64 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 as the session entered its final moments.
However, Todd Coleman produced a decisive late lap to take top honours in the No. 69 Archangel Motorsports McLaren 720S GT3 Evo. JP Martinez followed in third in the No. 28 RS1 Porsche 911 GT3 R, keeping the top three closely matched.
Qualifying 2: Momentum swings again
The second session began with Aaron Telitz continuing Archangel Motorsports’ strong form. He set the early pace in Pro-Am and climbed to third overall, underlining the car’s competitiveness.
Soon after, Lorcan Hanafin placed the No. 27 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO at the top of the Pro-Am charts and second overall, just behind the leading Pro entry.
Yet the session still had one final twist. With just one minute remaining, Tom Sargent delivered the standout lap of qualifying. Driving the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R, he posted a 1:32.673—fast enough to become the quickest time across both sessions.
Combined result: Sargent sets benchmark lap but JMF Motorsports holds pole
Despite this effort, the combined format ultimately favoured consistency. JMF Motorsports’ balanced performance across both sessions secured them the Pro-Am pole position, completing a clean sweep alongside their overall pole.
“What a difference,” said Jason Daskalos. “The team is incredible. Danny, Richard, thank you, and thank you to John Farrow for bringing me on and finding Lorcan. He’s awesome, he’s great to work with, and I’m just thrilled to start the season on pole.”
Am Class Qualifying effort
In the Am category, AF Corse’s No. 163 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo ran as the sole entry. Nevertheless, Jay Schreibman and Oswaldo Negri approached both sessions with a focus on building pace and consistency.
Schreibman recorded the 18th-fastest lap overall in his session, while Negri matched that position in the second outing. Although unchallenged in class, their performance demonstrated steady improvement ahead of the endurance race.
2026 GTWC America: Sonoma: JMF converts pole into race victory
When the race began, JMF Motorsports immediately justified their qualifying performance. Michai Stephens controlled the opening stint, successfully defending against Alex Sedgwick’s Ford Mustang GT3.
Although battles intensified behind, Stephens maintained the lead before handing over to Grenier. From there, the team managed the race with precision, even as pit strategies unfolded across a tight 50-minute window.
In the closing stages, Grenier remained untouchable and secured the first overall and Pro class victory of the season. AF Corse finished second, while Dollahite Racing completed the Pro podium after fending off late pressure.
“We decided to start on a sticker set to try to stay in front of the Ford because they were super quick, and Sonoma is probably one of the toughest tracks to overtake at,” said Grenier. “It worked, although the first stint was difficult with traffic and I probably used the tires a bit too much. But in the end, it was enough, and the car was really strong.”
Stephens added: “It’s yet another testament to this organization and to the opportunity to be here with JMF Motorsports and Mercedes-AMG. It’s a lovely way to kick off the season. It was a rollercoaster ride for sure, and I certainly made a handful of mistakes that I’ll look to improve on moving forward.”
GMG Racing charges to Pro-Am victory
While JMF controlled the front, the Pro-Am class delivered one of the race’s most compelling storylines. Early on, JMF Motorsports led through Jason Daskalos, who even ran third overall during the opening hour.
However, strategy and incidents soon reshaped the contest. A retirement for one BMW and a recovery drive for another highlighted the unpredictable nature of the endurance format.
Midway through the race, RS1 briefly took control before a penalty opened the door for GMG Racing. Tom Sargent seized the opportunity and produced a remarkable charge through the field.
After his final pit stop, Sargent set the fastest lap of the race and gained ten positions to secure both the Pro-Am victory and third overall.
“It’s always a box you want to tick,” said Sargent. “The team did an amazing job. The car was lethally quick, the engineers gave us a great setup, and everyone on the crew put it together perfectly. It’s one of the best cars I’ve ever driven, and it’s a privilege to drive it here and come away with the win.
“That’s exactly what we came here to achieve. There were a lot of unknowns coming into this new format, so to do it straight away is a huge confidence boost for the whole team. We couldn’t quite get the win last year, so it’s great to come back and get it done. And Kyle was brilliant, consistent, mistake-free, and fast the whole way. I couldn’t have done it without him.”
AF Corse executes perfect Am Class run
In the Am class, AF Corse delivered a measured and consistent performance to secure victory. Oswaldo Negri and Jay Schreibman focused on maintaining rhythm and avoiding trouble throughout the three-hour contest.
Despite minor issues, the pair held position and executed their strategy effectively, finishing 16th overall to claim class honours.
“The car was really hooked up,” said Negri. “We had amazing pace, especially at the end of the race. I think I only had one lap above the mid-1:35s, and by the end I was running low 1:35s and able to keep up with the pros ahead. I also have to thank Jay — he made a huge step from last year, and I couldn’t ask for more from him.”
Schreibman added: “I’m looking forward to COTA. Today was fun. We had a little issue with the car when the brakes went away, but the team did an amazing job getting us back in the race. Oz did a great job finishing it off, and COTA is a fun track, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Strong start in Sonoma signals competitive season ahead
With the first three-hour race complete, the 2026 season has already delivered close competition, varied strategies, and standout performances across all classes.
JMF Motorsports leaves Sonoma with momentum, while GMG Racing and AF Corse have also laid down early markers. As the championship heads to Circuit of The Americas, the new endurance format promises to continue testing both speed and strategy at every round.
