GT World Challenge powered by AWS has officially revealed its 2026 entry lists.
There are plenty of headlines, such as the 59-car Endurance grid and 45 cars in Sprint. We'll see a brand-new model from Lamborghini, which rolls out its eagerly-anticipated Temerario, as well as evo versions of the Ferrari 296 and Porsche 911.
But with so many car and driver combinations, there is inevitably a lot more to dig into ahead of the opening race at Circuit Paul Ricard. Here are nine things you may have missed from this year's entry list reveal.
A RECORD GRID FOR SPRINT
With an incredible 45-car field, the Sprint Cup grid is truly booming. As has been the norm in recent years, the Bronze Cup class will miss the opening round at Brands Hatch due to space restrictions, so we won't see the full field until the second outing at Misano. The Italian event already holds the record for the biggest Sprint grid – 43 cars raced there last year – and that looks set to be broken in July.
VERSTAPPEN RACING GOES PRO
After joining the series with a Gold Cup entry last term, Verstappen Racing will be chasing overall wins in 2026. The Dutch squad has partnered with Mercedes-AMG to run a full-season Pro car – and the driver line-up suggests they can fight at the front.
Max Verstappen's sim racing protégé Chris Lulham will partner the vastly experienced Dani Juncadella at all 10 rounds, while AMG factory ace Jules Gounon joins for the Endurance events. A maiden overall win is definitely on the cards.
NEW FACES AT AF CORSE
Multiple title-winner AF Corse has two new faces aboard its #50 Ferrari. Arthur Leclerc remains for his second season in GT World Challenge, while Sean Gelael joins the Italian squad after spending 2025 driving a BMW for Paradine Competition.
The line-up is completed by Lilou Wadoux (below), Ferrari's first-ever female factory driver, who steps up to the Pro class having previously made a handful of outings in Silver and Bronze. Could she become the first woman to win overall in GT World Challenge?
AUDI BACK IN PRO WITH TWO GT3 LEGENDS
No car has won more races across Sprint and Endurance than the Audi R8. It returns to the Pro ranks this term as Eastalent Racing fields a full-season car for Simon Reicher and Christopher Haase, with Markus Winkelhock joining for Endurance.
No one knows the R8 better than Haase and Winki. They have been regular teammates throughout the years, most famously winning the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa together in 2017. With that in mind, they're the ideal duo to mentor Reicher in his first full season at this level.
BRITISH CHAMPS CHASE EUROPEAN GLORY
Having dipped their toes in the water last term, reigning British GT champs Charles Dawson and Kiern Jewiss will go full-time in GT World Challenge this season. They will drive a Mercedes-AMG for 2 Seas – the team with which they conquered their domestic championship.
They'll look to repeat what Darren Leung achieved in 2023/24 by securing back-to-back titles at home and abroad.
SUPER SILVERS SWITCH SIDES
After earning back-to-back Silver Cup titles with Boutsen VDS, Aurélien Panis and Cesar Gazeau have a new home this year. They will chase their third successive crown with BartoneBros by GetSpeed, putting them back behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG. Anthony Bartone completes their line-up for Endurance, while Panis and Bartone will pair up for Sprint.
CAIROLI ADDS FERRARI TO THE LIST
Matteo Cairoli might be on a mission to drive for every brand on the GT World Challenge grid. The Italian ace was a Porsche factory driver until 2023, then spent one year with Lamborghini and raced a Mercedes-AMG in 2025.
Now he's moved again, joining Emil Frey Racing to drive a Ferrari in Sprint. Cairoli will partner young veteran Konsta Lappalainen in what could definitely be a race winner.
ZIGGO SPORT TEMPESTA PICKS PORSCHE
While Cairoli is becoming the driver with the most cars on his resumé, the team equivalent is Ziggo Sport Tempesta. The British squad has previously raced with Ferrari, Mercedes-AMG, McLaren, and then a second stint with Ferrari. Now it's switched to Porsche and the upgraded 911.
While it has often changed its machinery, Tempesta is probably the most stable team on the grid when it comes to drivers. Jonathan Hui, Chris Froggatt and Eddie Cheever III have formed a remarkably consistent line-up since the team made its debut in 2019 and will now tackle a new challenge with Porsche.
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DAD AND DAUGHTER GO SPRINT RACING
We've seen a few father-son pairings in GT World Challenge, but this year the series welcomes its first father-daughter line-up as Peter and Stéphane Kox join the Sprint grid.
Peter is incredibly experienced, his resume including stints in BPR, FIA GT, and the FIA GT1 World Championship to name just a few. Both he and Stéphane last competed in GT World Challenge in 2016 – pictured below – though not in the same car. This time they will share a BMW for the new KPX Motorsport squad, which Peter established last year in partnership with Nico Pronk.
