JMF Motorsports Secures Opening Victory in 2026 GT World Challenge America at Sonoma
Sonoma, CA – JMF Motorsports marked its one-year anniversary in the GT World Challenge America powered by AWS with a commanding victory in the season opener at Sonoma Raceway. The team’s #34 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, driven by Michai Stephens and Mikaël Grenier, clinched the win after starting from pole position, leading the majority of the three-hour race.
Race Overview
The revised format for 2026 features a single three-hour race, replacing the previous dual 90-minute format. An 18-car field initiated the race, with Stephens immediately taking the lead. However, the early phase was interrupted by a Safety Car due to a collision involving the #14 Riley Motorsports BMW of Slade Stewart and the #99 Random Vandals Racing BMW of Derek DeBoer, which ended both drivers’ races prematurely.
Following the restart, Stephens extended the lead to over three seconds before the first round of pit stops began. JMF Motorsports opted for a double stint, retaining Stephens in the vehicle, while Dollahite Racing’s Alex Sedgwick switched with co-driver Cameron Lawrence after their initial stint.
Mid-race, Matias Pérez Companc in the #12 AF Corse USA Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo began to challenge for the lead, briefly closing the gap to half a second behind Grenier. However, Grenier executed a flawless pit stop, allowing the #34 Mercedes-AMG to retain its advantage.
Final Laps and Results
In the final stretch, Grenier maintained a lead over Schandorff, ultimately finishing 0.922 seconds ahead. The Peugeot covered 109 laps in a race marked by limited incidents, with only a single other minor spin not triggering another Safety Car.
Kyle Washington and Tom Sargent in the #32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R secured the Pro-Am class victory, finishing third overall. Sargent’s performance placed him just 5.5 seconds behind the overall winner and over 30 seconds clear of fourth-placed Wright Motorsports’ Porsche.
Key Quotes
Stephens reflected on the win, stating, “It’s incredible to celebrate our anniversary with a win. The team executed flawlessly, and we maximized every opportunity on the track.”
Notable Performances
- The #27 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG, driven by Jason Daskalos and Lorcan Hanafin, struggled with pit lane penalties and finished 14th.
- In the Pro-Am standings, the #28 RS1 Porsche faced challenges due to a penalty for leaving the engine on during refueling, affecting their competitive positioning.
The second round of the 2026 GT World Challenge America season is scheduled for April 26 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
Images © SRO Motorsports Group
