With the exception of the COVID affected 2020 season, this years the lowest Aston Martin Racing powered entry within the GT4 European Series to date as just the Racing Spirit of Leman remain loyal to the brand for the forthcoming season that starts this weekend coming from the Paul Ricard Circuit in southern France.
Last year we welcomed both the Racing Spirit of Leman and Mirage Racing AMR powered teams along with their three silver and one Pro-Am classed Vantage GT4 Evo’s but in 2026 we will welcome both some familiar names as well as some new ones for the teams silver and Pro-Am entry.
Despite this, the series itself remains healthy ahead of its tenth year as thirty-eight cars form ten manufacturers are expected to compete at this first of six double header rounds.
Brazilian racer Pedro Garcia makes the large step across from his Stock Car Jr series back home to GT4 racing in Europe for the first time having taken a literal lead from fellow countryman Eduardo Barrichello. He will be joined by the accomplished and knowledgeable racer Clement Seyler who has raced within the series for many years between teams, taking the Am Championship title with Pascal Bachmann and the Street Art Racing team back in 2019.
They will compete within the team’s #72 car within the silver class, whilst another new pairing of Louka Desgranges and Florent Grizaud will race togther for the first time within the Pro-Am class.
Grizaud won fared well within the FFSA GT4 AM Class Championship alongside his then regular teammate Kevin Jimenez where they finished second overall twice as well as second in class at the end of the 2024 GT4 European Series – but for 2026, it will be all different.
Grizaud will this time be joined by fellow countryman Louka Desgranges who also steps up to GT4 racing for the first time from the similar graded Ultimate Cup Alpine Endurance Cup Series.
This weekend’s timetable will see the series share the timetable with the headlining GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup Series for their two opening one-hour races.
Photo credits – Team / GT Winter Series / social media