Ellis to Complete Season in JMF’s Pro-Am Mercedes-AMG

Photo: Winward Racing

Philip Ellis will complete the GT World Challenge America powered by AWS season in the No. 27 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo alongside Jason Daskalos, following their overall victory last time out at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

Ellis, one of the most successful drivers in the current era of SRO America competition, subbed for Lorcan Hanafin in the Pro-Am entry due to the Englishman’s commitments at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that same weekend.

However, the Mercedes-AMG factory star will remain with the team for the final three races, beginning this weekend at Road America.

“It was great getting back in the car, now with Jason,” Ellis told Sportscar365. “I love racing in the States in general, so I’m lucky to have that opportunity to be back for the rest of the season with them.”

The Swiss driver indicated that the decision was made after their win, which came amid post-race time penalties for the sister, Pro class entry of Mikael Grenier and Michai Stephens.

“At that time, as far as I was aware, I was just filling in for Lorcan,” said Ellis. “I don’t know what the decisions or discussions were during or after the race.

“I just did my job to help out Jason. I’m happy to help him out again.”

Ellis said he fit in very quickly with the Canadian squad, with both of his team’s engineers having worked with him and Russell Ward en route to their 2024 IMSA GTD championship with Winward Racing.

“Both engineers working at JMF were working with me at Winward already. That was an easy fit,” he said.

“[Toni Ristolainen], he was the engineer for us when we won the 2024 championship in IMSA and he’s there running the [JMF Pro] car. The other engineer, Christian Schick, was also the engineer in the ’24 season, [and is running the Daskalos Pro-Am entry].

“All the guys are good over there. It was super easy to fit in.”

When asked if he thinks they can again go for an overall win amid this weekend’s stacked 24-car grid, Ellis said: “I’d be happy with a class win!

“Getting the overall win, of course it’s always fun. It puts a bit more spectacle in it.

“The first goal, of course, is the class win, and get as many points as we can for Jason in the championship. I’ll just do everything I can to get another class win.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John