Mercedes-AMG sets out its 2026 performance and junior driver squad
Mercedes-AMG Motorsport has confirmed a 13-strong driver squad for 2026, anchoring its global GT3 programme with a mix of established race winners and young talent. The announcement arrives only weeks after the brand closed its 2025 season at the ‘Champions United’ gala in Affalterbach, giving a clear first look at how the three-pointed star intends to approach a competitive year ahead.
The headline addition is Lin Hodenius, the 19-year-old Dutch driver who made his first appearances aboard the Mercedes-AMG GT3 in 2025, including outings in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His pace and composure in multi-class traffic caught the attention of the factory, earning him a place in the junior squad from 2026.
Canadian racer Daniel Morad departs the core line-up. He made ten starts for the brand across IMSA WeatherTech, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and GT World Challenge Asia, scoring six top-ten finishes. Mercedes-AMG has thanked him for his work during a season that demanded versatility across several programmes.
A stable core, with one notable new face
The 2026 structure is split between ten performance drivers and three junior drivers. It spans nine nations, which gives customer teams reliable depth for long-distance GT racing in Europe, North America and Asia.
Below is the announced squad.
Mercedes-AMG Motorsport 2026 core line-up
Performance Drivers
- Ralf Aron (Estonia)
- Lucas Auer (Austria)
- Philip Ellis (Switzerland)
- Maro Engel (Germany)
- Jules Gounon (Andorra)
- Maximilian Götz (Germany)
- Mikaël Grenier (Canada)
- Maxime Martin (Belgium)
- Fabian Schiller (Germany)
- Luca Stolz (Germany)
Junior Drivers
- Lin Hodenius (Netherlands)
- Tom Kalender (Germany)
- Jayden Ojeda (Australia)
Development and test role
Thomas Jäger continues as the brand’s test and development driver. His work on the next-generation Mercedes-AMG GT3 remains central to the programme, with the new car expected to form the backbone of the brand’s GT racing efforts later in the decade.
The final distribution of these drivers across individual teams and championships will follow in a later announcement. As in recent seasons, the mix of factory support, customer racing and long-distance commitments in IMSA, GTWC, NLS and WEC LMGT3 will shape a wide footprint for the brand in 2026.
A blend of experience and youth
Mercedes-AMG’s Head of Customer Racing, Stefan Wendl, framed the 2026 squad as a continuation of a long-running strategy. The aim is to pair known race winners with drivers still rising through the ranks.
Wendl said:
‘With our driver line-up for 2026, we have set the course for another successful season in international GT racing. The combination of experienced drivers and up-and-coming talents makes our line-up very strong and forms the basis for consistent top performances. I would like to express my special thanks to Daniel Morad for his great dedication and commitment this year.’
It is a familiar recipe. Jules Gounon, Maro Engel and Luca Stolz carry years of success at events such as the Spa 24 Hours, Nürburgring 24 Hours and major endurance rounds worldwide. They form the backbone of the brand’s most demanding campaigns. Around them, the introduction of Hodenius, Kalender and Ojeda gives Mercedes-AMG room to develop its next wave of factory-ready talent.
The wider context for 2026
The GT3 landscape is becoming more crowded. With top manufacturers investing heavily in customer racing and endurance events drawing larger grids, securing a capable factory roster has grown in importance. Mercedes-AMG’s list of returning drivers shows confidence that its existing line-up remains competitive enough to take on strengthened efforts from Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, Aston Martin and others.
Hodenius is the most interesting addition. He stood out during his 2025 WEC outings by delivering tidy, consistent stints in traffic and helping the car stay in the hunt through long runs. Mercedes-AMG rarely moves young drivers into the core squad without a clear plan, and he now has the chance to build a long-term place in the marque’s system.
Outlook
The full distribution of programmes is still to come, but the size and structure of the 2026 squad suggest another broad GT3 campaign with a strong presence in the major long-distance championships. A settled roster, a new junior, and a development pathway through Jäger’s ongoing work add up to a clear direction for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport as the brand enters another competitive season.
