Mercedes-AMG confirmed its dominance early withinside the 2026 GT World Challenge America powered with the aid of using AWS at Sonoma Raceway. JMF Motorsports clinched pole function for the outlet race, with drivers Michai Stephens and Mikaël Grenier posting the quickest mixed qualifying time of their Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO. This season brings a enormous shift in format, changing the preceding 90-minute dash races with a unmarried three-hour persistence occasion every weekend. Qualifying now entails sessions, with the mixture instances of each drivers figuring out the beginning grid.
During qualifying, Stephens set an excellent lap withinside the preliminary session, at the same time as Grenier introduced a sturdy overall performance withinside the second. Their mixed common lap time of 1:33.223 secured pole function for JMF Motorsports. The team’s different pairing, Jason Daskalos and Lorcan Hanafin, additionally confirmed aggressive speed, incomes 0.33 region at the grid. The pinnacle 5 turned into finished with the aid of using Dollahite Racing’s Ford Mustang GT3 and AF Corse USA’s Ferrari, reflecting a carefully matched field.
Ahead of the race, SRO Motorsports Group brought Balance of Performance (BoP) modifications that affected each Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo and Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo vehicles. Mercedes obtained an extra 10 kilograms in minimal weight to stability opposition amongst manufacturers. Despite this delivered weight, Mercedes-AMG automobiles maintained their main positions in each Pro and Pro-Am categories, underscoring their constant tempo and technical strength.
Mercedes’ achievement extends past GT racing. In Formula 1, younger driving force Kimi Antonelli persevered to affect with the aid of using taking pole function on the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. At simply 19 years old, Antonelli is quick organising himself as a growing skills after lately prevailing his first race and securing consecutive poles. His teammate George Russell certified second, highlighting Mercedes’ sturdy foothold at the F1 grid.
Overall, Mercedes-AMG’s overall performance throughout special motorsport disciplines showcases their technical knowledge and adaptableness to new rules together with BoP modifications and revised race formats. This aggressive part units the degree for an interesting season in advance for enthusiasts of GT World Challenge America and Formula 1 alike.
