Record Sprint Cup, Capacity Endurance Entry Revealed

SRO Motorsports Group has revealed another capacity 59-car Endurance Cup entry for GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS this year, with the Sprint Cup season attracting a record 45 cars.

Grid spaces in both divisions have been highly sought by teams and the expanded Sprint Cup entry compares with the 41 committed entries that were secured last year.

“I am incredibly proud and excited by our 2026 entry lists,” said SRO founder and CEO Stephane Ratel. “The size and quality of the grids is unique in international GT racing and promises fantastic action from start to finish.

“I must also speak about our events, which have been a major focus in recent years. In 2026, fans at the track will enjoy even more in terms of entertainment, as well as outstanding support races.

“With all of this in mind, I know that 2026 will be an unforgettable year for fans and competitors alike.”

Following the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R’s entry for the first time last year with Steller Motorsport, there will again be ten different GT3 manufacturers represented.

Among the Endurance Cup lineups confirmed upon publication of the entry lists are the trio of AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 Evos, which again feature a range of factory drivers.

The No. 50 entry will be crewed by Arthur Leclerc, Sean Gelael and Lilou Wadoux, while the No. 51 machine will be driven by Alessio Rovera, Nicklas Nielsen and Tommaso Mosca.

The No. 52 Silver Cup entry will then be driven by Jeff Machiels, Gilles Stadsbader and Matias Zagazeta.

Other new entries for this year include a move into the European category for Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn, with its Bronze Cup Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo being piloted by factory driver Jonny Adam, Giacomo Petrobelli and former FIA World Endurance Championship driver Lorcan Hanafin.

Also joining the GTWC Europe ranks this season is long-standing European Le Mans Series competitor JMW Motorsport with its Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo driven by Hunter Abbott, Rolf Ineichen and Tim Heinemann.

A total of 17 cars make up the Pro class in Endurance Cup, including a single Ford Mustang GT3 EVO from HRT Ford Racing, which has Arjun Maini so far as the only confirmed driver.

An additional HRT Mustang will be in the Silver Cup for the trio of Finn Wiebelhaus, Maxime Oosten and Eduardo Coseteng, although neither car is entered for the Sprint Cup rounds, resulting in no ‘Blue Ovals’ on the grid for those races.

The Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II will continue to be represented in the series, including with a full season Pro entry from Eastalent Racing for Simon Reicher and Christopher Haase, who will be joined by Markus Winkelhock for the Endurance Cup races.

It will be one of four Audis in the Endurance Cup field, the others being fielded by Attempto Racing, with one each in Gold Cup, Silver Cup and Bronze Cup.

James Kellett, meanwhile, has been named in the No. 992 Paradine Competition BMW M4 GT3 EVO following this week’s earlier announcement that team owner/driver Darren Leung will return to the wheel, but in the sister entry.

The 45-car Sprint Cup field, which is expected to again feature a reduced grid at Brands Hatch due to track capacity, includes 14 Pro entries, alongside seven in Gold Cup, 13 in Silver Cup and 11 in Bronze Cup.

It includes two Sprint Cup-only entries from Emil Frey Racing, both in Pro, for Matteo Cairoli and Konsta Lappalainen (No. 14) and Thierry Vermulen and Ben Green (No. 69).

Other cars for the sprint rounds-only include the No. 55 Dinamic GT Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo, No. 77 KPX Motorsport BMW of Stephane and Peter Kox and the No. 277 Kessel Racing Ferrari of Marco Pulcini and David Fumanelli.

Last year’s Brands Hatch event featured a 30-car field, with the Bronze Cup class absent, although the three other classes for this year combine for 34 entries.

The GTWC Europe season kicks off with the Endurance Cup season-opening 6 Hours of Paul Ricard on April 12, with Sprint Cup getting underway on May 2-3 at Brands Hatch.

John Dagys contributed to this report