Team BRM has confirmed a revised driver line-up for the opening round of the 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) Australia powered by AWS season, with Thomas Randle stepping in to partner Mark Rosser at Phillip Island.
While Alex Peroni had originally been set to contest the full season alongside Rosser, injury has ruled him out of the opening event. Consequently, Team BRM has turned to Randle as a highly capable replacement for the LIQUI MOLY GT Festival.
Team BRM to field strong partnership for 2026 GTWC Australia Phillip Island opener
Randle will join Rosser in the Team BRM Audi R8 LMS EVO II, marking a return to GT competition for the Supercars regular. Notably, this will not be his first outing with the team. He previously impressed during a one-off appearance at Eastern Creek where he secured a podium finish.
In addition, Randle brings valuable endurance racing experience, including multiple starts in the Bathurst 12 Hour with Scott Taylor Motorsport. His involvement in GT racing, combined with a successful Supercars career featuring 11 podiums, makes him a strong addition to the line-up.
Randle brings diverse racing background
Beyond his Supercars achievements, Randle has built an impressive résumé across multiple categories. He claimed the 2017 Castrol Toyota Racing Series title in New Zealand and secured race wins in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship.
Moreover, he enjoyed success in Australian junior categories, winning the Australian Formula Ford title in 2014 and finishing runner-up in Australian Formula 4 in 2015. More recently, he has competed in both the S5000 Australian Drivers Championship and National Sports Sedans, further showcasing his versatility.
“I’m really excited to be joining GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS for this round with Mark and Team BRM in the Audi LMS GT3 Evo II,” Randle said. “It’s a great opportunity, even if it’s just a one-off for now, and it’s nice to be back working with the team again after my time with them in S5000. There’s a bit of a reunion there with Marcus (Koch) as well, which makes it even more enjoyable.”
“It’s also my first time driving the Audi GT3, so the Media Day has been about getting comfortable and building some laps. Phillip Island is a track I love, and GT cars always put on a great show here, so it’s a perfect place to kick things off.”
“The goal is to work closely with Mark, be competitive, and hopefully put ourselves towards the front. If it leads to more opportunities later in the year, that would be fantastic, but for now, the focus is on doing the best job we can this weekend and filling in while Alex recovers.”
Rosser targets strong start to 2026 GTWC Australia campaign with Team BRM
Meanwhile, Rosser returns to the series with strong momentum following recent success in GTWC Australia. Over the past two seasons, he has established himself as a consistent frontrunner, securing race wins in Queensland and The Bend, as well as Bathurst.
In addition, Rosser has gained experience across a variety of categories, including the Gulf 12 Hour and the Bathurst 6 Hour.
“I’m really excited to get the season underway at Phillip Island,” Rosser said. “We were strong here last year, so it’s a great place to start, and I’m looking forward to building on that performance. It’s obviously unfortunate not to have Alex for the opening rounds, but we’re very fortunate to have Tom step in – he’s a quality driver and brings great experience.”
“He’s worked with Marcus (Koch) before and we’ve done some sim work together, so there’s already a strong foundation there.
“It’s been a busy lead-in for the team after Bathurst, with a last-minute effort to get the car ready, but everyone’s done a fantastic job to have us on track. As always, the goal is to fight for strong results and ultimately the championship, and with tracks like Phillip Island and The Bend suiting us, we’re hoping to start the season on the front foot.”
Team BRM looking ahead to 2026 series opener
The 2026 season will kick off at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from 27–29 March as part of the LIQUI MOLY GT Festival. The circuit’s fast, flowing layout is expected to suit the Audi package, offering an ideal opportunity for the team to start strongly.
In conclusion, Team BRM enters the season opener with a revised yet highly competitive pairing. While Peroni’s absence is a setback, Randle’s inclusion brings experience and proven pace. As a result, the team remains well-positioned to challenge for strong results at Phillip Island and set the tone for the 2026 campaign.
