While Ben Green continues to build his career without the backing of a full-time manufacturer contract, he, nevertheless, has established himself as a regular presence across multiple championships by securing competitive drives with established teams. For the 2026 season, he joins Emil Frey Racing for the Sprint Cup segment of GTWC Europe powered by AWS. He will compete in a Ferrari 296 GT3 under a revised driver lineup. In parallel, he is expected to participate in other series, including British GT, where he will drive a Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Green reflects on early impact in GTWC Europe Sprint Cup competition
Green’s initial breakthrough in Sprint Cup competition came during the 2024 season opener at Brands Hatch. Despite limited preparation compared to more established entrants, he secured pole position in his first qualifying session in the series.
“It was a surreal experience,” he recalled while speaking to GT World Europe. “We turned up at Brands Hatch, did a couple of practice sessions and the went straight into Qualifying. It was one of those adrenaline-filled days where you take each moment as it comes, step by step. Suddenly, I put it all together and I was on pole. I was very, very proud to be there.”
The result drew attention within the paddock, particularly given his relative lack of recent experience at the circuit.
“The funny thing is everyone thinks that I’m the local guy who’s been to Brands Hatch loads,” continued Green. “But in fact, I hadn’t raced there in about four years. The last time was 2020, when I did a one-off British GT round in GT4. So, it was quite funny for me, four years since racing at my home track, to be able to put it on pole.”
This performance established a foundation for his subsequent full-season campaign and demonstrated his ability to deliver competitive results under limited preparation conditions.
Progression and variability in results
Following his debut, Green partnered Konsta Lappalainen for a full Sprint Cup season. The pairing achieved a race victory at Hockenheim and maintained regular front-running pace, ultimately securing third place in the championship standings. This marked a significant result for Emil Frey Racing in Sprint Cup competition.
However, the following season produced more variable outcomes. While the pairing continued to demonstrate qualifying pace, including pole position at Zandvoort, race results did not consistently reflect that performance level. Factors such as race incidents, strategy execution, and operational margins contributed to a final championship position of ninth.
For the current season, Green will partner Thierry Vermeulen. This revised lineup introduces a different driver combination while maintaining continuity within the team’s overall structure. Such adjustments are common in GT racing and often aim to optimise performance across both qualifying and race conditions.
Green emphasises consistency and execution amid high level of competition in GTWC Europe
Green has identified consistency as a central requirement for achieving competitive results in Sprint Cup racing. The format’s short races and tightly grouped field mean that even minor errors can significantly impact outcomes.
“I think the level is so high [in Sprint], you can’t afford to have any mistakes,” said Green.
He highlighted the importance of avoiding operational issues across all aspects of a race weekend.
“You can’t afford any penalties, bad pit stops, or mistakes in qualifying. I think it’s all about being consistent across the year. We need to be there every time, every day”
At the same time, he acknowledged the underlying pace demonstrated by both himself and his new teammate.
“I think myself and Thierry [Vermeulen] have both shown our speed during the past two years,” he added. “We just need to bring that consistently and then I think we’ll be up there.”
Experience across multiple manufacturers
Green’s career to date includes experience with a wide range of GT3 machinery, including cars from Ferrari, Mercedes-AMG, Corvette, Audi, BMW, and Aston Martin. This breadth of experience reflects both his freelance status and his adaptability as a driver.
Switching between different vehicles requires adjustments to braking systems, aerodynamic characteristics, tyre behaviour, and electronic controls. These variations can influence driving style and setup preferences.
“The first lap always feels weird, it feels a little bit alien,” he explained. “Things are moving in different ways and then after two or three laps everything feels normal and you just carry on.”
Over time, repeated exposure to different cars has contributed to his ability to adapt quickly.
“It’s a skill I’ve learned over the last three years. In 2024 I was racing the Aston and Ferrari both for the first time and both for a full season, so I had to learn two new cars and then jump between them. It’s something I’ve never talked about, but I can hop into any car and be competitive immediately.”
Green reflects on technical demands of Brands Hatch ahead of 2026 GTWC Europe Sprint Cup opener
The Sprint Cup season begins at Brands Hatch, a circuit characterised by its narrow layout, elevation changes, and limited visibility in several sections. These features create specific technical challenges for drivers and teams. Green outlined the requirements for achieving competitive lap times at the venue.
“Being fast there requires commitment,” said Green, who then emphasised the importance of confidence in high-speed corners while noting the other challenges of the circuit.
“It’s fast out the back, so you need to be confident in the car you have underneath you and to just send it without any worries. The track is narrow, it’s bumpy. It’s quite blind in a few places. Hawthorn, Westfield and Sheen especially, they’re fourth or fifth gear corners that are all pretty much blind when you turn in. You just have to commit.”
He also highlighted the limited opportunities to drive GT3 machinery at the circuit.
“You don’t get to drive [Brands Hatch] in a quick car very often,” he added. “It’s not a bad year when you can drive one GT3 car there, let alone be doing it in British GT and Sprint! It’s a privilege.”
These characteristics make Brands Hatch a demanding opening venue, where driver confidence and precision play a significant role in performance. Thus, Green nowenters the new season with prior experience in Sprint Cup competition and familiarity with Emil Frey Racing. The revised driver pairing, combined with his ongoing multi-series commitments, presents both opportunities and operational challenges.
As the season progresses, the ability to maintain consistent results across events will remain a key factor in determining whether Green and his team can contend for higher championship positions.
