GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by AWS continues its 2026 campaign this weekend at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) for CieloVision GT World Texas powered by Samsung. As the second round of the season, the event also serves as SRO America’s home race, bringing heightened attention and expectation to one of the championship’s most significant stops on the calendar.
Following a highly competitive and action-packed season opener at Sonoma Raceway, teams now shift their focus to Austin. Consequently, early championship narratives begin to develop further as drivers and manufacturers aim to consolidate or recover momentum on one of North America’s most demanding circuits.
Moreover, the introduction of the three-hour race format has already added a new strategic layer to the championship. With double-stint endurance elements now influencing race outcomes, teams must balance outright pace with consistency and tyre management across longer stints.
Competitive field gathers momentum across nine manufacturers for 2026 GTWC America round at COTA
The grid once again features nine leading manufacturers, all of which return to action as the championship moves into its second round. As a result, the battle for early-season points remains wide open, with several teams already showing competitive pace in Sonoma.
In addition, the COTA circuit presents a unique challenge. Its combination of high-speed sections, technical corners, and elevation changes places significant demands on both car setup and driver execution. Therefore, teams must adapt quickly to maximise performance across the weekend.
Aston Martin makes GT3 debut with Rebel Rock Racing
Aston Martin arrives at COTA with Rebel Rock Racing making its GT WC America debut. The team introduces the Vantage AMR GT3 EVO into competition, marking a new phase for both squad and driver pairing.
Robin Liddell and Frank Depew will share driving duties in the No. 71 entry in Pro-Am competition. As a result, both drivers step into GT3 machinery for the first time at this level, adding an element of learning alongside performance expectations.
BMW targets recovery after Sonoma challenges
BMW enters the Texas round aiming to rebound after a difficult opening weekend. However, the manufacturer arrives with multiple entries and evolving driver pairings, each seeking to build consistency and unlock performance potential at COTA.
Riley Motorsports continues with Slade Stewart and Andy Lee in Pro-Am competition, while Turner Motorsport progresses in the Pro class with Justin Rothberg and Robby Foley. In addition, Random Vandals Racing completes the BMW lineup with Derek DeBoer and Hampus Ericsson continuing their partnership.
Collectively, these entries reflect BMW’s focus on development as the season begins to take shape.
Ferrari builds on strong early momentum
Ferrari and AF Corse USA head to Austin with confidence following a strong performance in Sonoma. The team already demonstrated competitiveness across multiple classes, including a Pro podium and a dominant Am class victory.
Matías Pérez Companc and Frederik Schandorff return in the No. 12 Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO after securing a podium on debut. Meanwhile, Jay Schreibman and Oswaldo Negri aim to continue their winning form in the Am class.
Additionally, Triarsi Competizione expands Ferrari’s presence with Sebastian Mascaro and Riccardo Agostini joining the Pro-Am field in the No. 18 entry. Consequently, Ferrari fields one of its strongest line-ups of the season so far.
Ford looks to continue podium momentum
Ford arrives in Texas with strong confidence after securing a podium finish at Sonoma. Dollahite Racing delivered an impressive result in the opening round, demonstrating immediate competitiveness in Pro class competition.
Cameron Lawrence and Alex Sedgwick will once again pilot the Ford Mustang GT3 EVO. Moreover, having transitioned into the Pro category after success in Am competition last season, the team now focuses on building consistency at the front of the field.
McLaren continues development path
McLaren returns with Archangel Motorsports and the 720S GT3 EVO, continuing its steady development programme. Todd Coleman and Aaron Telitz remain in the Pro-Am category as the team seeks to convert progress into stronger race results.
Furthermore, the team continues to build on experience gained during the previous season, aiming to translate improved pace into consistent points finishes.
Mercedes-AMG leads standings into home event
Mercedes-AMG enters its home event at the top of the global GTWC manufacturers standings, following a strong start to the season. The brand’s early success in Sonoma established it as an early benchmark, particularly through JMF Motorsports’ Pro class victory.
At COTA, Mercedes-AMG fields a strong and expanded presence. JMF Motorsports returns with its winning Pro entry, while TR3 Racing introduces a revised driver line-up. In addition, MAD Joker by Lone Star Racing joins the grid, further strengthening the manufacturer’s representation at its home event.
As a result, Mercedes-AMG enters the weekend with both performance confidence and increased grid presence.
Porsche arrives with strong Pro-Am momentum
Porsche continues to demonstrate strength in Pro-Am competition following a dominant showing at Sonoma. Multiple entries delivered strong results, including a class victory and additional podium finishes across different teams.
GMG Racing, Wright Motorsports, RS1, and Kellymoss all return to action, forming one of the largest manufacturer presences on the grid. Consequently, Porsche teams will aim to replicate their early-season form while capitalising on the depth of the platform.
Full entry list highlights depth of field for second 2026 GTWC America round at COTA
The COTA round features a wide and competitive field across all classes, with entries spanning Pro, Pro-Am and Am categories. This diversity ensures closely matched battles throughout the grid and increases the importance of strategy across the extended race format.
2026 GTWC America Entry List – COTA 2026
Aston Martin
- No. 71 Rebel Rock Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO – Robin Liddell & Frank Depew (Pro-Am)
BMW
- No. 14 Riley Motorsports BMW M4 GT3 EVO – Slade Stewart & Andy Lee (Pro-Am)
- No. 29 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 EVO – Justin Rothberg & Robby Foley (Pro)
- No. 99 Random Vandals Racing BMW M4 GT3 EVO – Derek DeBoer & Hampus Ericsson (Pro-Am)
Ferrari
- No. 12 AF Corse USA Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO – Matías Pérez Companc & Frederik Schandorff (Pro)
- No. 18 Triarsi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO – Sebastian Mascaro & Riccardo Agostini (Pro-Am)
- No. 163 AF Corse USA Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO – Jay Schreibman & Oswaldo Negri (Am)
Ford
- No. 6 Dollahite Racing Ford Mustang GT3 EVO – Cameron Lawrence & Alex Sedgwick (Pro)
McLaren
- No. 69 Archangel Motorsports McLaren 720S GT3 EVO – Todd Coleman & Aaron Telitz (Pro-Am)
Mercedes-AMG
- No. 9 TR3 Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO – Brayton Williams & Daniel Morad (Pro-Am)
- No. 11 MAD Joker by Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO – Marc Austin & Jason Golan (Am)
- No. 27 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO – Jason Daskalos & Lorcan Hanafin (Pro-Am)
- No. 34 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO – Michai Stephens & Mikael Grenier (Pro)
Porsche
- No. 8 McCann Racing Porsche 911 GT3-R (992) EVO – Michael McCann Jr. & Zachary Vanier (Pro)
- No. 13 Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3-R (992) EVO – Todd Parriott & Riley Dickinson (Pro-Am)
- No. 017 Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3-R (992) EVO – Michael Clark & Colin Braun (Pro-Am)
- No. 28 RS1 Porsche 911 GT3-R (992) EVO – Juan Martinez & Jan Heylen (Pro-Am)
- No. 31 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3-R (992) EVO – Dave Musial Jr. & Ryan Yardley (Pro-Am)
- No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3-R (992) EVO – Kyle Washington & Tom Sargent (Pro-Am)
- No. 88 Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3-R (992) EVO – John Gilliland & Loek Hartog (Pro-Am)
- No. 242 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3-R (992) EVO – Therese Lahlouh & Thomas Merrill (Pro-Am)
2026 GTWC America: COTA: How to follow
Qualifying and races will be streamed live on SRO RaceControl powered by Vbrick, the GTWorld YouTube channel, and SRO Motorsports Twitch. In addition, one-hour highlights will air on FS1, featuring extended coverage and expert analysis throughout the weekend.
