Category: Teams & Drivers

Arthur Rougier is aiming to kick off the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe season in style as he returns to Circuit Paul Ricard (April 10–12), a track that holds special significance in his career.

The French driver first made his mark at Paul Ricard back in 2017, where he secured the French F4 title after a close battle with Victor Martins. Since then, Rougier has transitioned from single-seaters to GT racing, making his GT World Challenge debut in 2020 with Saintéloc Racing.

He later spent two seasons with Emil Frey Racing, highlighted by an overall podium finish at Magny-Cours in 2021. In 2023, Rougier joined CSA Racing, continuing with Audi machinery before the team switched to McLaren for the 2025 season. That move also saw Rougier become an official McLaren factory driver.

The partnership delivered immediate results. In their first race with the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, Rougier, Simon Gachet, and James Kell secured victory in the Gold Cup class and finished sixth overall at Paul Ricard—adding another milestone at the iconic French circuit.

Heading into the 2026 season, Rougier has clear ambitions:

“The target is to fight for the Gold Cup title.”

However, the competition is expected to be fierce. CSA Racing will face strong opposition from teams such as Garage 59 and ROWE Racing, both of which bring proven performance and depth to the grid.

Despite the challenge, Rougier sees it as extra motivation as he looks to build momentum from the very first race weekend.

GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS is set for a massive 2026 season, with full-capacity grids confirmed ahead of the opening race at Circuit Paul Ricard (April 11–12).

A total of 59 cars will compete in the Endurance Cup, while a record 45 entries are confirmed for the Sprint Cup. Both championships are now fully booked, highlighting the growing popularity and competitiveness of GT3 racing at the highest level.

10 Manufacturers Confirmed for 2026

Ten major manufacturers will battle for victory this season:

• Aston Martin
• Audi
• BMW
• Chevrolet
• Ferrari
• Ford
• Lamborghini
• McLaren
• Mercedes-AMG
• Porsche

The grid is expected to expand even further during the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa (June 25–28), the flagship event of the season, known for combining elite endurance racing with a festival-like atmosphere for fans.

Four Competitive Classes on the Grid

The 2026 season will once again feature four classes:

• Pro Class – Top-tier factory-supported teams and professional drivers
• Gold Cup – Competitive mix of pro and semi-pro drivers
• Silver Cup – Emerging talent and rising stars
• Bronze Cup – Pro-am lineups featuring experienced amateur drivers

This structure ensures close competition across all levels of the field.

Global Drivers and Top Teams

The 2026 entry list includes some of the strongest teams in GT racing, with multiple championship winners and Spa 24 Hours victors returning to the grid.

Drivers from over 30 countries across six continents will compete this season, combining experienced professionals, future stars, and skilled amateur racers—making GT World Challenge one of the most diverse and competitive racing series in the world.