SRO GT2 European Series Announces Major Changes for 2026 Season
Date: [Insert Date]
Location: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
The SRO GT2 European Series is set for a significant overhaul in 2026, aimed at revitalizing the competition and enhancing grid numbers. Key announcements were made during the SRO’s annual conference at Spa, heralding the introduction of a Silver driver class and a new driver development initiative.
Starting next year, the Series will expand its classification system to include a dedicated Silver class for driver pairings, complementing the existing Pro/Am and Am categories. This strategic move is designed to attract a wider array of entries and bolster participation.
A notable component of the reshaped series is the launch of the SRO GT Academy, supported by Maserati, Mercedes-AMG, and Pirelli. The initiative will reward the fastest Silver driver—determined through qualifying and performance metrics—with a full-season seat in the GT World Challenge Endurance Cup, partnering with a Mercedes-AMG customer team. The Academy will also provide FFSA GT Championship competitors access to GT2 racing opportunities.
In a bid to enhance the experience for teams and drivers, a three-hour endurance race is being planned for the Spa event, simulating the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup format.
SRO head Stéphane Ratel addressed the challenges faced by the Series, stating, “We’ve never had a very big grid for GT2, and it’s been difficult to attract people.” He emphasized the importance of fostering young talent and adapting the framework: “I sold GT2 hard to the likes of Mercedes and Maserati, and I want to keep trying.”
Furthermore, Ratel acknowledged the competitive landscape of motorsport, noting, “There are a lot of successful single-seater series wanting to join the bill. The temptation was to step away, but I aim to be responsible in promoting GT2.”
The conference also featured Ginetta’s Motorsport CEO Mike Simpson, who presented the company’s new GT2 model, expressing optimism about increasing participation levels through collaboration with SRO.
The 2026 GT2 European Series calendar has been confirmed, including six rounds across notable circuits:
- May 30-31: Monza
- June 20-21: Spa-Francorchamps
- July 18-19: Misano
- August 29-30: Nürburgring
- September 19-20: Zandvoort
- October 17-18: Portimão
These changes aim to reinvigorate the GT2 platform, bridging the gap between GT4 and GT3 categories while fostering a new generation of racing talent.
