• Driver development scheme offers structured route to the top of international GT racing
• Global talent search includes six series on four continents
• Programme open to FIA Silver-graded drivers under the age of 30
SRO GT Academy will take talent development to a new level this season by providing six drivers from as many different series with career-changing opportunities for 2027.
The innovative concept creates a pathway for young hopefuls to reach the top of global GT racing through skill, dedication and professionalism. SRO GT Academy will not only identify the stars of tomorrow: it will put them in a position to successfully demonstrate their potential on the world stage.
Open to FIA Silver-graded drivers under the age of 30, the Academy will take a holistic approach to unearthing new talent. This year's programme consists of three distinct elements, each awarding a specific prize for 2027. In all three, points will be awarded based on criteria such as speed, race craft, and behaviour on and off the track.
Championnat de France FFSA GT
The project began in 2025 as part of the Championnat de France FFSA GT, with 19-year-old Gaspard Simon crowned the inaugural winner thanks to his impressive performances across the campaign. He has been awarded €150,000 towards a seat in GT World Europe, as well as support and mentoring.
The FFSA GT element remains this year, with the winner once again set to receive a contribution of €150,000 to secure a place on the GT World Europe grid in 2027. The French series represents the foundation of the Academy, with drivers competing in GT4 cars that provide close competition at a realistic price point.
GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli
Two new elements will be introduced for 2026. In GT2 Europe, the initiative will be open to drivers competing with either Ginetta, Ligier, Maserati, or Mercedes-AMG machinery, while additional manufacturers may join ahead of the new campaign. The winner will earn a fully funded (excluding crash damage) Mercedes-AMG seat with an AMG Customer Racing Team for the 2027 GT World Europe Endurance Cup.
British GT, GT World America, Asia & Australia
The third element takes a different approach. A quartet of drivers – one each from British GT and the continental GT World series in America, Asia and Australia – will earn a fully-funded seat at the 2027 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. This international cast will join forces in an SRO GT Academy car as they tackle the biggest GT race in the world.
The ultimate destination for successful Academy graduates is GT World Europe, the global reference in GT3 racing. By competing at the highest level, drivers will have an opportunity to prove themselves against world-class opposition and to forge a professional career.
A number of common regulations will apply across all three elements. In addition to being classified Silver by the FIA and under 30 years of age on 31 December 2026, drivers must run the full season in their chosen series. Competing for the Academy prize in more than one series is not permitted, and entrants may not have participated in more than one GT World Europe event.
Points-scoring will be based on both a common set of criteria – such as average race pace over 10 laps and fastest individual times – and continent-specific requirements that include but are not limited to qualifying results and the race classification as the pit window opens. Conversely, drivers deemed responsible for incidents by the panel of stewards or race-ending accidents will incur a points deduction.
Ultimately, accurately assessing an individual’s performance regardless of their co-driver’s contribution lies at the very heart of SRO GT Academy’s ethos.
GT World America and Australia will launch on 28/29 March at Sonoma Raceway and Phillip Island respectively, while GT World Asia kicks off one week later at Sepang (4/5 April) and British GT begins at Silverstone on 25/26 April. FFSA GT gets underway at Nogaro on 5/6 April, while GT2 Europe will launch at Monza on 30/31 May.
Stéphane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group Founder & CEO: “Having spent more than 30 years in motor racing, I fully understand the hard work and commitment required for a young driver to establish a professional career in the sport. This is the motivation behind the SRO GT Academy. We want to identify the brightest young talents and, just as importantly, provide them with a platform to demonstrate their abilities to the world. The expansion for 2026 is very significant and would not have been possible without a great deal of support. In particular, I must express my gratitude to Pirelli, our longstanding and trusted tyre supplier, for lending its support to the project, and to the manufacturers that are backing our GT2 Europe prize: Ginetta, Ligier, Maserati, and Mercedes-AMG. The latter will also provide a GT World Europe seat for 2027.”