SRO GT Academy winner Jay Mo Härtling will step up to the 2027 GT World Challenge (GTWC) Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup with GetSpeed. The German squad will field a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the 24-year-old, who earned his place through an impressive debut campaign in the GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli.
Härtling secured the opportunity after outperforming seven other SRO GT Academy contenders throughout the five-round championship. His performances for SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm, alongside teammate David Thilenius, also delivered three Pro-Am class victories and the category’s drivers’ championship.
The move marks another significant step in Härtling’s motorsport career, while GetSpeed will provide an established platform for his first GTWC Europe campaign. The team expects to enter him in the Silver Cup category.
Härtling earns GTWC Europe opportunity after successful GT2 campaign
Härtling established himself as the leading SRO GT Academy contender during the 2026 GT2 European Series season, combining competitive race performances with consistency across the championship.
Driving the No. 111 Mercedes-AMG GT2 for SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm, the German collected three Pro-Am victories and two additional podium finishes alongside Thilenius. Their success ultimately secured both the Pro-Am Drivers’ Championship and the Teams’ Championship for the German outfit.
The pairing confirmed its championship triumph during the season finale at Portimão, overcoming a dramatic final race to secure the title.
Meanwhile, Härtling maintained his advantage in the SRO GT Academy standings, finishing comfortably ahead of runner-up Ethan Gialdini. His performances throughout the campaign secured the development programme’s prize, which provides a fully funded GTWC Europe Endurance Cup entry.
Reflecting on his successful season, Härtling acknowledged the challenges his team faced and the importance of securing the opportunity.
“The season in the GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli was incredibly exciting and felt like a rollercoaster ride at times.
“We made a very strong start, but also had a few mixed results along the way. Overall, though, I think we did a really good job.
“Winning the SRO GT Academy is an important step forward for both SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm and myself, and one that opens up exciting opportunities for the future. We want to build on this success.
“I’m really pleased that the SRO GT Academy has given me the opportunity to compete in the GT World Challenge Europe in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 next year.”
Although Härtling already has considerable experience driving Mercedes-AMG machinery, his upcoming GTWC Europe debut will introduce him to a larger international field and a demanding endurance racing calendar.
GetSpeed brings extensive GT3 experience to Härtling’s programme
GetSpeed will oversee Härtling’s 2027 campaign, providing the young driver with an experienced team as he progresses into GTWC Europe’s highly competitive GT3 field.
The Nürburgring-based organisation made its championship debut at Misano in 2019 before expanding into a full Endurance Cup programme the following season. Since then, GetSpeed has developed a substantial presence across multiple categories, including factory-supported Pro entries and regular Silver Cup programmes.
The team has also achieved notable success at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, finishing second overall in 2022 before claiming Silver Cup victory at the event’s centenary edition in 2024.
Furthermore, GetSpeed demonstrated its operational capabilities during the 2026 Spa 24 Hours by fielding four Mercedes-AMG GT3 entries across four different categories. Its Pro-Am crew secured a class podium, highlighting the team’s ability to manage several competitive programmes simultaneously.
For Härtling, the partnership offers an opportunity to develop alongside a team with experience supporting both emerging drivers and established Mercedes-AMG competitors.
Moreover, GetSpeed enters the partnership following a successful conclusion to its 2026 GTWC Europe campaign, giving the organisation considerable momentum heading into the new season.
GetSpeed concludes 2026 season with Portimão victory
GetSpeed ended the 2026 GTWC Europe Endurance Cup season with an overall victory at Portimão, demonstrating its competitiveness against several leading international GT3 teams.
The German squad secured its maiden overall Endurance Cup victory through Maximilian Götz, Ralf Aron and Fabian Schiller, who shared the No. 17 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO.
During the three-hour finale, GetSpeed capitalised on a successful pit-stop strategy to move ahead of its rivals. Aron subsequently extended the team’s advantage before Schiller defended the lead through two Safety Car interruptions.
The trio eventually secured victory at Portimão, finishing 5.062 seconds ahead of the Lionspeed GP Porsche, while Boutsen VDS completed the overall podium.
Additionally, GetSpeed demonstrated strong qualifying pace throughout the weekend. The No. 17 Mercedes-AMG qualified second on the grid, narrowly missing pole position to Boutsen VDS by just 0.108 seconds.
The result provided a successful conclusion to the team’s 2026 campaign and reinforced its credentials ahead of Härtling’s arrival.
Having competed across several GTWC Europe categories, GetSpeed will now apply that experience to supporting the SRO GT Academy winner during his first season in the championship.
SRO GT Academy strengthens pathway for emerging drivers
The SRO GT Academy aims to create opportunities for young drivers to progress through the GT racing categories. Rather than relying exclusively on championship results, the programme evaluates competitors using performance-based criteria, including qualifying speed, average race lap times and consistency.
Furthermore, the assessment system considers sporting conduct, with penalties for avoidable incidents and inappropriate behaviour. This approach allows the academy to assess drivers across several aspects of their competitive performances.
The programme initially launched in the Championnat de France FFSA GT in 2025, with Gaspard Simon emerging as its first winner. His success subsequently earned him a GTWC Europe opportunity with Walkenhorst Motorsport.
For 2026, SRO Motorsports Group expanded the initiative to include the GT2 European Series, creating another route into GTWC Europe for young drivers.
SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stéphane Ratel welcomed GetSpeed’s involvement and highlighted the support of the programme’s commercial and technical partners.
“We are delighted to confirm that GetSpeed will field our SRO GT Academy winner from the GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli in 2027.
“I must thank our partners Mercedes-AMG Motorsport and Pirelli for facilitating this opportunity. They have demonstrated full commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent.
“Creating a ladder such as this requires first-class partners and we are fortunate to count on them. It will certainly be exciting to watch as Jay Mo graduates to the GT World Challenge powered by AWS Endurance Cup next year.”
Beyond the GT2 European Series pathway, the academy also offers opportunities through GT World Challenge competitions in America, Asia and Australia, alongside the British GT Championship.
The winners of those programmes will receive opportunities to compete at the 24 Hours of Spa with Team Motopark in a Mercedes-AMG GT3, further expanding the initiative’s international reach.
Härtling prepares for new challenge in 2027
Härtling’s promotion represents the next stage of his development after a successful season in GT2 competition. Although the German has previously gained experience behind the wheel of Mercedes-AMG GT3 machinery, the 2027 campaign will mark his first opportunity to contest GTWC Europe’s Endurance Cup.
The championship features established manufacturer-supported teams, experienced endurance racing specialists and emerging international talent, creating a demanding environment for drivers entering the series.
Nevertheless, Härtling will benefit from GetSpeed’s extensive knowledge of Mercedes-AMG machinery and its experience competing across multiple GTWC Europe classes.
The team expects to run his programme in the Silver Cup, although it has yet to confirm the remaining drivers who will share the Mercedes-AMG GT3.
With the SRO GT Academy providing the opportunity and GetSpeed supplying an established racing operation, Härtling will aim to build on his 2026 achievements as he begins the next chapter of his endurance racing career.
