• Speed, performance and consistency central to assessment
• Funded GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS seat for winning Silver-graded driver
• Programme supported by Maserati and Mercedes-AMG
Individual driver performance will be the defining factor in SRO GT Academy’s new GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli initiative with Maserati and Mercedes-AMG next season.
The partnership, first revealed by Stéphane Ratel during the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, offers Silver-graded drivers under 30 the opportunity to win a funded drive with a Mercedes-AMG GT3 that will be fielded by one of the AMG Customer Racing Teams in 2027’s GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup.
The assessment process is designed to reveal a driver’s true individual ability and potential regardless of external factors such as co-driver performance, reliability and luck. Silver and Pro-Am class entrants can also be judged equally.
Race results will not be considered. Instead, points are awarded for the quickest qualifying and race laps, as well as the average time across each driver’s fastest 10 race laps. Points are also deducted when a driver is deemed responsible for an accident by the panel of Stewards or for losing control of the car off-track.
Only drivers racing a Maserati or Mercedes-AMG are currently eligible for the SRO GT Academy prize. However, all GT2 manufacturers entered in 2026 will have the opportunity to make their drivers eligible.
The SRO GT Academy concept stems from the FFSA French GT Championship where next year’s successful driver will win a funded seat on GT2 Europe’s 2027 grid. This will create a clear pathway from GT4 to GT2 and finally GT3, giving talented drivers the opportunity to progress to the highest levels of sportscar racing.
Maria Conti, Head of Maserati Corse: “We are extremely proud of our collaboration with SRO Motorsports Group; we share the same values and deeply believe in the GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli, in which we are honoured to express the performance DNA of our Maserati GT2. We’re now happy to work together on investing in the younger generation as well. Bolstered by our glorious history on the track, we are always looking ahead to the future: this is the Maserati story. Next year, we celebrate 100 years in racing, and we believe there is no better way to celebrate than to invest in young drivers’ talent.”
Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing: “The SRO GT Academy is a new approach to strengthening the GT2 programme as well as promoting young talents, which we at Mercedes-AMG Motorsport are highly interested in and happy to support. The individual assessment of driver performance creates transparent conditions and results in a clear perspective. A driver seat in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS for the 2027 season for the best Silver driver is a strong incentive and a logical step towards the targeted development of young motorsport talent.”
Stéphane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group Founder and CEO: “SRO GT Academy is a measure of speed, performance and reliability: characteristics that teams and manufacturers really value in young drivers. We’d like GT2 to become a gateway to GT3, not just for amateurs but also those with aspirations of a professional GT career. I’d like to thank Maserati and Mercedes-AMG for their continued support and belief in our GT2 concept. I truly believe our new joint Academy initiative has the potential to uncover sportscar stars of the future.”
Monza kicks off GT2 Europe’s 2026 campaign on May 30-31, while the 2025 season continues this weekend at Misano.