SRO is expanding the SRO GT Academy by providing six drivers from as many different series with career-changing opportunities for 2027, the sanctioning body announced.

Open to FIA Silver-graded drivers under the age of 30, the Academy will take a holistic approach to unearthing new talent. This year's program consists of three distinct elements, each awarding a specific prize for 2027. In all three, points will be awarded based on criteria such as speed, race craft, and behavior on and off the track.

The driver development program offers a structured route to the top of international GT racing and with the global talent search including six series on four continents.

The program began in 2025 as part of the Championnat de France FFSA GT, with 19-year-old Gaspard Simon crowned the inaugural winner. He has been awarded more than $175,000 towards a seat in GT World Europe, as well as support and mentoring.

The FFSA GT element remains this year, with the winner once again set to receive a contribution of more than $175,000 to secure a place on the GT World Europe grid in 2027. The French series represents the foundation of the Academy, with drivers competing in GT4 cars that provide close competition at a realistic price point.

Two new elements will be introduced for 2026. In GT2 Europe, the initiative will be open to drivers competing with either Ginetta, Ligier, Maserati, or Mercedes-AMG machinery, while additional manufacturers may join ahead of the new campaign. The winner will earn a fully funded (excluding crash damage) Mercedes-AMG seat with an AMG Customer Racing Team for the 2027 GT World Europe Endurance Cup. 

The third element takes a different approach. A quartet of drivers--one each from British GT and the continental GT World series in America, Asia and Australia--will earn a fully-funded seat at the 2027 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. This international cast will join forces in an SRO GT Academy car at the 24-hour race.

A number of common regulations will apply across all three elements. In addition to being classified Silver by the FIA and under 30 years of age on 31 December 2026, drivers must run the full season in their chosen series. Competing for the Academy prize in more than one series is not permitted, and entrants may not have participated in more than one GT World Europe event.

Points-scoring will be based on both a common set of criteria--such as average race pace over 10 laps and fastest individual times--and continent-specific requirements that include but are not limited to qualifying results and the race classification as the pit window opens. Conversely, drivers deemed responsible for incidents by the panel of stewards or race-ending accidents will incur a points deduction.