British GT Championship Media Day 2026

The 2026 British GT Championship officially came to life on a blustery March Tuesday at Silverstone Circuit with its annual Media Day. Following a successful 2025 event, the championship returned to the home of British motorsport, offering a first look at the cars ahead of the new season. While it may not carry the pressure or stakes of a race weekend, the event remains a vital marker in the calendar—reuniting teams, drivers, and enthusiasts in a free-to-attend spectacle.

Around 3,000 fans were given the opportunity to be among the first to see the 2026 grid in action. Registration via the Silverstone website sold out quickly, and social media made it clear this was a hot ticket. With 2,000 fans attending last year, the increase in capacity for 2026 was a welcome move.

Three members of the PistonClick team attended the British GT Media Day—not in an official capacity, as that’s not our approach. We prefer to remain independent, producing photojournalistic reviews from a spectator’s perspective.

Starting at Copse with camera in hand as the cars rolled out, there was an immediate sense that this season could be a competitive one. Media Day has always blended race preparation with fan engagement, but this year felt particularly significant, with subtle shifts across the grid hinting at an evolving championship.

A First Look at the Grid – A Championship in Transition

From a photographic standpoint, Silverstone provided the perfect backdrop as both GT3 and GT4 machinery shared the track for the first time this year. The circuit’s industrial aesthetic—its buildings and grandstands—can be distracting for some photographers, but I prefer to embrace it. Silverstone lends itself well to panning shots, where blurred backgrounds help emphasise the speed and shape of these striking race cars.

Seeing a full field circulating together was a reminder of what makes British GT so compelling: two distinct classes, different performance levels, and constant on-track interaction. Media Day also highlighted the number of changes across the paddock. New teams have joined, others have returned, and several drivers have stepped into new roles.

This sense of movement adds intrigue heading into the season. Driver pairings feel less predictable, and there’s a strong mix of experience and youth across both classes. In GT4 especially, the pathway for rising drivers remains clear, and Media Day offered an early indication of who might be ready to step up.

Classes in the 2026 British GT Championship

The 2026 season features a simple multi-class structure, with GT3 and GT4 cars sharing the track while competing within their own categories.

GT3 remains the premier class, featuring the fastest and most advanced machinery, including cars like the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 and Aston Martin Vantage GT3. Driver line-ups are typically Pro-Am or Silver-Am, making this the focal point of the championship battle.

GT4 serves as the development class, with cars closer to their road-going counterparts. It includes Pro-Am and Silver Cup categories and continues to act as a stepping stone for drivers progressing toward GT3.

New Teams & Major Debuts in 2026

The 2026 season welcomes several new and notable entries. Rodin Motorsport, formerly Carlin, makes its GT3 debut with a Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo for Josh Buchan and Cameron Campbell. 

Meanwhile, West Surrey Racing (WSR) expands into GT racing under the WSR FlexiFly banner, entering a BMW M4 GT4 Evo with four times British Touring Car Champion Colin Turkington and Ernie Graham.

In GT4, Innovation Racing steps up from the GT Cup with a Ginetta G56 GT4 Evo (#74). GBR Stratton Motorsport pairs Ronan Pearson with John Hartshorne in an Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 Evo (#97), while Grange Racing by FSR launches its first GT4 campaign with Darren Turner leading the effort (#27).

Returning Teams & Expansions

Established teams continue to strengthen the grid. Optimum Motorsport returns full-time to GT3 with multiple McLaren 720S GT3 Evos, including GT4 champions Jack Brown and Marc Warren (#77).

Barwell Motorsport expands to a three-car Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 line-up, with Hugo Cook and Sandy Mitchell (#63) setting one of the standout times of the day.

In GT4, Townsend Racing powered by Fox Motorsport joins the grid with an Aston Martin entry for James Townsend and Joe Wheeler (#40).

Although the entry list is slightly smaller than in previous years, the overall quality remains high. The GT3 field looks particularly well balanced, while GT4 continues to provide a strong platform for emerging talent.

Early Running and Competitive Signs

On-track sessions provided valuable mileage and early performance indicators. While testing times should always be taken with caution, the overall picture suggested a closely matched field. Orange Racing by JMH set the fastest lap of the day with a 1:57.972 in their McLaren 720S GT3 Evo (#67), completed during the final session after 77 laps. 

Barwell Motorsport’s Cook and Mitchell (#63) were just 0.030 seconds behind with a 1:58.002, while Jarrod Waberski placed third in the #78 Lamborghini with a 1:58.278.

In GT4, Will Orton and Jessica Hawkins set the pace in the MK Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 Evo (#21) with a 2:10.343.

The Fan Element

Beyond the cars and lap times, Media Day once again showcased one of British GT’s greatest strengths: accessibility. Fans could move freely through the paddock, getting close to teams and drivers in a way few major championships still allow.

This connection gives the event a unique atmosphere. It feels less like a formal launch and more like an open invitation into the sport—something that continues to set British GT apart.

British GT Media Day Photographic Postscript

Media Day may not provide definitive answers about the season ahead—testing rarely does—but it sets the tone. For fans, it offers rare early access; for photographers, it’s an opportunity to capture the cars and atmosphere before the intensity of race weekends begins.

From a spectator photographer’s perspective, the day reinforced everything that makes British GT special: a welcoming environment, close access, and a grid full of visually striking race cars. As a fan engagement exercise, it was a clear success.

The PistonClick team will be back trackside to follow the season as it unfolds. The next round takes place on 25–26 April 2026, returning once again to Silverstone.

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Thanks to my shooting buddies for the day, David and Andrew Harbey. You can find more of Davids work from the links below.