Mercedes-AMG Team JMF Motorsports heads into the DESDER Indianapolis 8 Hour with the 2026 GT World Challenge America Pro championship still within its grasp as Michai Stephens and Mikaël Grenier prepare for eight hours that will define their season.
The #34 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO has remained at the centre of the title battle throughout the year, but the margins have steadily narrowed. After six regular-season rounds, only seven points separate the top three Pro teams entering a finale that awards double points. The championship fight tightened considerably through the closing rounds, leaving JMF, AF Corse USA and Turner Motorsport with everything still to play for at Indianapolis.
JMF has also added Maxime Martin for the eight-hour event, strengthening the full-season combination of Stephens and Grenier with another experienced Mercedes-AMG driver. The #34 will start fifth on the revised grid after progressing through Friday’s shootout, having finished sixth on the three-driver average during Indianapolis qualifying before Mikaël Grenier contested Superpole.
Stephens relishes chance to fight for championship
JMF’s route to Indianapolis has included both strong performances and costly weekends, but Stephens believes reaching the finale with a genuine opportunity to win the championship matters more than dwelling on what might have been.
“In the true spirit of motorsports, you have to fight hard for what you feel you have either earned or deserve,” Stephens said. “For ourselves as an organization, we’re just thrilled to be in a position to be able to have a fight at the end of the year, give or take all that transpired throughout the season.”
That perspective reflects a campaign in which JMF has repeatedly had to respond when the championship swung towards its rivals. AF Corse’s victory at Barber brought the Ferrari crew firmly into contention, while Turner remained within striking distance despite finishing fourth. The Barber finale reshaped the Pro title picture without removing JMF from the head of the fight.
Stephens therefore approaches Indianapolis focused on the opportunity ahead rather than the pressure attached to it.
“It’s a privilege to be here and everybody on the team is excited for the eight hours that are to come. We’re looking forward to fighting to the very end.”
Grenier expects track position to decide championship
Grenier believes the tight standings make the basic objective relatively simple. JMF cannot afford to focus solely on protecting its existing position because both AF Corse and Turner sit close enough to take control if the #34 loses ground.
“We feel good. It’s been a nice season for us so far,” Grenier said. “We unfortunately lost points in two races, so it’s a bit tight in the standings heading into this weekend, and it will likely be a case of whoever finishes in front of the other will be crowned champion.”
The Indianapolis 8 Hour presents a very different challenge from the six three-hour races that preceded it. Strategy, traffic, reliability and pit work will play an even greater role, while the expanded international field creates additional variables throughout the race.
That means JMF must balance its championship awareness with the demands of simply completing eight clean hours. The #34 has not always occupied the top of the timesheets during the build-up, but Grenier remains confident the team can put itself into contention when it matters.
“But it’s a long race, and a lot can happen. We haven’t quite been where we want to be in the practice sessions, but I’m confident we will find a way, and then we’ll see what happens after eight hours.”
JMF faces final eight-hour challenge
The championship picture leaves little room for a cautious approach. GTWC America awards points by class position, with Indianapolis carrying double points under the series’ championship scoring structure, meaning a late change in position could transform the standings.
JMF arrives with a season’s worth of experience at the front but also with two rivals capable of taking advantage of any mistake. Martin adds another strong component to the line-up, while Stephens and Grenier already know exactly what they need to achieve after spending the year building their championship challenge.
Eight hours now separate them from the opportunity to turn that campaign into the Pro title. After a season-long fight, Stephens’ intention is straightforward: remain in contention until the end and fight for every point available.
