Pit Debrief

Motorsport news

Pit Debrief

Motorsport news

Category: GTWC

Robin Knutsson leads a rain-soaked 2026 GTWC Europe Barcelona FP2 for Boutsen VDS as Dienst and Vermeulen complete the overall top three.
Photo Credit: SRO | JEP

2026 GTWC Europe | Sprint Cup | Barcelona | FP2 | Knutsson leads rain-soaked session for Boutsen VDS

Karishma Persad06 mins

Robin Knutsson put Boutsen VDS on top during a rain-soaked Free Practice 2 (FP2) at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as difficult conditions restricted opportunities for improvement throughout the final practice session of the 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) Europe Sprint Cup season. The Swedish driver produced a 1:54.557 early in the 80-minute session aboard the…

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Bastian Buus leads Barcelona FP1 for Lionspeed GP as the championship leaders begin their final push for the Sprint Cup title.

2026 GTWC Europe | Sprint Cup | Barcelona | FP1 | Buus leads Lionspeed GP as title push begins.

Karishma Persad06 mins

Bastian Buus put championship-leading Lionspeed GP on top during Free Practice 1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as the final round of the 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) Europe Sprint Cup got underway. The Danish driver produced a 1:40.389 in the #80 Porsche 911 GT3 R EVO he shares with Ricardo Feller, beating Gold Cup…

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GTWC America heads to Indianapolis with the Pro and Pro-Am titles still undecided as the 2026 season concludes at the Brickyard.
Photo Credit: SRO

GTWC America title fights head to Indianapolis for 2026 season finale

Karishma Persad07 mins

The 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by AWS season reaches its conclusion at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with the Pro and Pro-Am championships still undecided ahead of the DESDER Indianapolis 8 Hour. Six three-hour rounds have brought the championship to its longest and highest-scoring event of the year, where the GTWC America field will…

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Max Verstappen confirms his GTWC Europe debut at the 2026 Portimão finale, joining Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat in the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG.
Photo Credit: SRO | JEP

Verstappen confirms 2026 GTWC Europe Portimão debut as WEC clash rules out Juncadella and Gounon

Karishma Persad08 mins

Max Verstappen has confirmed that he will make his GT World Challenge (GTWC) Europe powered by AWS debut at the 2026 Portimão finale, stepping into the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing entry for the Endurance Cup season finale. His appearance comes as the GTWC Europe finale clashes directly with the FIA World Endurance Championship’s…

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Marcus Ericsson will join younger brother Hampus Ericsson and Derek DeBoer at Random Vandals Racing for the 2026 DESDER Indianapolis 8 Hour, completing the team's Pro-Am line-up for the season-ending endurance race. The 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner will drive the No. 99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO as the GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by AWS and Intercontinental GT Challenge conclude their respective seasons at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ericsson had already emerged as the expected third driver when the provisional 29-car Indianapolis 8 Hour entry appeared earlier in September. Random Vandals Racing has now officially confirmed his addition alongside its full-season pairing of Hampus Ericsson and DeBoer. Marcus Ericsson joins Random Vandals Racing Random Vandals Racing confirmed Ericsson's addition ahead of the Indianapolis finale, bringing one of the circuit's most recognisable recent winners into its GTWC America programme. Ericsson has also maintained a presence around the SRO America paddock throughout 2026 while supporting his younger brother. Hampus and DeBoer have shared the No. 99 BMW throughout their full-season Pro-Am campaign, with Marcus now joining them for the championship's longer endurance finale. The Swede expressed particular excitement about the opportunity to compete alongside his brother again. “I’m incredibly excited to join Derek and my younger brother Hampus in the Random Vandals Racing No. 99 BMW,” said Marcus Ericsson. “Racing alongside Hampus and sharing a car with him is something I cherish deeply, so I’m very grateful to Random Vandals for giving us the opportunity to do this together. “I’ve been following and supporting Hampus and Derek throughout the season, and it’s clear to see the potential in both of them and the entire team. “Hopefully, my extensive experience and knowledge of Indianapolis Motor Speedway will allow me to contribute to the team and help secure a strong result. The BMW M4 GT3 will be a new experience for me, but with the expertise and support of the Random Vandals team, I’m confident I’ll get up to speed quickly.” Ericsson brothers reunite in GT3 machinery Indianapolis will mark the second time that Marcus and Hampus Ericsson have shared a race car. The brothers first competed together at the Michelin 12H Malaysia at Sepang International Circuit in December 2025. They joined Axel Bengtsson and Thomas Karlsson in Leipert Motorsport's Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2, marking their first race together and their first appearances in GT3 competition as a pairing. Marcus has since added further GT3 experience. Earlier this year, he contested the Rolex 24 at Daytona with Wayne Taylor Racing, sharing its Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 with Danny Formal, Trent Hindman and Graham Doyle. However, the Indianapolis 8 Hour will give him his first competitive outing in the BMW M4 GT3 EVO. For Hampus, meanwhile, the finale completes his first full GTWC America season with Random Vandals. He and DeBoer have represented the team throughout 2026 after Random Vandals reduced its programme to a single Pro-Am BMW following its 2025 Pro championship-winning campaign. Hampus highlighted the significance of sharing the BMW with his brother while also pointing towards Marcus' extensive Indianapolis experience. “Getting the chance to share the BMW M4 GT3 RVR car with my brother at Indianapolis is something I’ve dreamed about for a long time, so to finally make it happen is pretty special,” said Hampus Ericsson. “Derek and I have built a really strong relationship throughout the season, and I’m looking forward to bringing Marcus into the mix and seeing what the three of us can do together. “Marcus knows IMS extremely well, and his experience there will be a huge asset to the team as we fight for a strong result.” Indianapolis experience strengthens Random Vandals line-up Ericsson brings extensive knowledge of Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the Random Vandals line-up. Most notably, he won the 2022 Indianapolis 500 and has continued competing at the venue throughout his IndyCar career. His familiarity with the circuit therefore adds another element to a line-up that already has a full season of experience with the BMW and GTWC America's three-hour format. His Indianapolis knowledge could prove particularly useful as Random Vandals prepares for an eight-hour race that requires the team to manage a significantly different challenge from the championship's regular rounds. Team owner Paul Sparta welcomed Ericsson's arrival and highlighted the energy he expects the IndyCar driver to bring to the programme. “It’s exciting and an honor to have Marcus in a Random Vandals car for the Indy 8 Hour. He’s really pumped up for the event, and I am certain he’ll bring huge energy and performance to the team. “Given his hot streak at the end of the IndyCar season, we can’t wait to get him on track.” Two Indianapolis stars join GTWC America finale Ericsson becomes the second high-profile IndyCar driver confirmed for the 2026 Indianapolis 8 Hour. Five-time IndyCar champion Álex Palou will also return to GT3 competition at the event, joining Lin Hodenius and Luca Stolz in the No. 80 Mercedes-AMG Team Lone Star Racing entry. While Palou will compete in Pro, Ericsson joins a Pro-Am Random Vandals line-up that features two drivers with extensive links to Indianapolis alongside DeBoer. The additions strengthen an already sizeable field as GTWC America and the IGTC prepare to decide their respective championships. For Random Vandals Racing, the event also provides another opportunity to build on its 2026 campaign before the team turns its attention towards a possible two-car GTWC America programme in 2027. Ericsson, Hampus and DeBoer will share the No. 99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO when the DESDER Indianapolis 8 Hour brings the 2026 GTWC America season to a close at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Photo Credit: IMSA

Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson joins Random Vandals Racing for Indianapolis 8 Hour

Karishma Persad05 mins

Marcus Ericsson will join younger brother Hampus Ericsson and Derek DeBoer at Random Vandals Racing for the 2026 DESDER Indianapolis 8 Hour, completing the team’s Pro-Am line-up for the season-ending endurance race. The 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner will drive the No. 99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO as the GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by…

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Álex Palou joins Mercedes-AMG for the Indianapolis 8 Hour as GTWC America and IGTC championship battles reach the 2026 finale.
Photo Credit: SRO | Jason Doudt

Palou returns to Indianapolis 8 Hour as Mercedes-AMG targets GTWC America and IGTC titles

Karishma Persad06 mins

Five-time IndyCar champion Álex Palou will return to the Indianapolis 8 Hour with Mercedes-AMG Team Lone Star Racing as the manufacturer prepares to fight for titles across two championships at the 2026 season finale. The Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) and GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by AWS will conclude their seasons at the DESDER…

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Turner Motorsport secures fourth at Barber as Foley and Rothberg keep their GTWC America championship hopes alive heading to Indy.
Photo Credit: SRO | Fabian Lagunas

Turner Motorsport keeps 2026 GTWC America title hopes alive after Barber

Karishma Persad02 mins

Turner Motorsport remains in contention for the 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) America championship following the penultimate round at Barber Motorsports Park. Robby Foley and Justin Rothberg secured fourth in the final sprint race of the season, collecting valuable points ahead of the championship-deciding Indianapolis 8 Hour. Despite narrowly missing the podium, the pairing maintained…

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Mercedes-AMG leads Porsche and Ferrari in the 2026 GT World Challenge global manufacturers’ standings after the penultimate America round.
Photo Credit: SRO | Fabian Lagunas

Mercedes-AMG maintains 2026 GTWC global manufacturers’ lead after Barber

Karishma Persad06 mins

The 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) powered by AWS season is rapidly approaching its conclusion, with the Global Manufacturers’ Championship entering its decisive stages as the remaining continental series complete their final rounds. In North America, Barber Motorsports Park hosted the penultimate round of the GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by AWS campaign and…

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JMF Motorsports expands its GTWC America lead at Barber as Stephens, Grenier and Mercedes-AMG prepare for the Indianapolis finale.
Photo Credit: SRO | Fabian Lagunas

JMF Motorsports extends 2026 GTWC America championship lead after Barber podium

Karishma Persad04 mins

JMF Motorsports strengthened its position in the 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) America championship following another podium finish at Barber Motorsports Park. Michai Stephens and Mikael Grenier secured second overall and in the Pro class, extending their championship advantage ahead of the season-ending Indianapolis 8 Hour. The No. 34 Mercedes-AMG GT3 pairing entered the penultimate…

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GMG Racing retakes the GTWC America Pro-Am lead at Barber as Washington and Sargent carry a six-point advantage to Indianapolis.
Photo Credit: SRO | Fabian Lagunas

Barber recovery puts GMG Racing back atop GTWC America Pro-Am standings

Karishma Persad06 mins

GMG Racing reclaimed the GT World Challenge (GTWC) America Pro-Am championship lead with a hard-fought third-place class finish at Barber Motorsports Park. Kyle Washington and Tom Sargent arrived at the penultimate round three points behind Wright Motorsports’ Dave Musial Jr. and Ryan Yardley after losing the championship lead for the first time this season at…

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