German young talent Jay Mo Härtling to race with top Mercedes-AMG team in 2027

Jay Mo Härtling is the first champion of the newly introduced SRO GT Academy classification in the GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli. The regular driver for SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm secured three Pro-Am class victories and two further podium finishes in the #111 Mercedes-AMG GT2 over the course of the season. This secured him, alongside his team-mate David Thilenius (USA) and SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm, the drivers’ and teams’ championships in the Pro-Am classification. Furthermore, Härtling won the inaugural season of the SRO GT Academy. All drivers in the GT2 European Series aged under 30 with a Silver licence were eligible to compete in the SRO young driver championship. The points system was based, amongst other things, on individual performance factors such as qualifying times and average lap times during the race. The regulations provided for points deductions for incidents caused by drivers and inappropriate behaviour off the track.

In the SRO GT Academy standings of the GT2 European Series, Jay Mo Härtling – who celebrates his 24th birthday tomorrow, Wednesday – came out on top against seven rivals. In doing so, he secured a fully funded permanent drive in the 2027 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. Jay Mo Härtling will contest the five endurance races in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 of the Mercedes-AMG customer sports team GetSpeed. The team led by team principal Adam Osieka has been competing in the SRO series since 2019 and, in 102 race starts to date, has recorded four class victories, five overall podium finishes and eleven class podium finishes. The German team celebrated its first overall victory last Saturday at the season finale in Portimão with Ralf Aron, Maximilian Götz and Fabian Schiller. GetSpeed fielded a total of four Mercedes-AMG GT3s at the finale.

Jay Mo Härtling contested his first race in a car from Affalterbach on 1 October 2022. Since then, he has completed a total of 124 races, 123 of which were with SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm. He made one appearance this year in the Nürburgring Endurance Series with Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL. In total, Härtling has already gained experience in 56 races in the Mercedes-AMG GT3, has completed the Nürburgring 24-hour race three times and has won titles in the GT Winter Series and the GTC Race. He will make his debut in the GT World Challenge in 2027.

At the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, Jay Mo Härtling will be joined by four other winners of the SRO GT Academy. The overall winners of the British GT Championship and the GT World Challenges in America, Asia and Australia will receive a fully funded seat for the Belgian endurance classic. Together, they will compete for Team Motopark and will also take to the track in a Mercedes-AMG GT3. Jarrod Waberski qualified via the British GT Championship. Ryan Yardley secured the junior title in the GT World Challenge America. The remaining participants will be determined at the season-ending rounds of the GT World Challenge Asia (Shanghai International Circuit, 30 October to 1 November) and the GT World Challenge Australia (Adelaide Parklands Circuit, 26 to 29 November).

Stefan Wendl, Head of Customer Racing, Mercedes-AMG Motorsport: “We are delighted to be able to support the SRO’s initiative with the launch of the SRO GT Academy, together with our long-standing customer racing team, GetSpeed. The programme gives young talents the opportunity to take the next step in their careers and compete against established drivers at the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3. The innovative concept behind the SRO GT Academy, in which fairness and consistency play a decisive role alongside average lap times, represents a promising approach to nurturing young talent. As the first winner of the SRO GT Academy, Jay Mo Härtling, together with his team SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm, has distinguished himself through consistently strong performances throughout the season and has absolutely earned this opportunity.”

Adam Osieka, Team Principal at GetSpeed: “I am very proud that GetSpeed will be fielding the Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the winner of the SRO GT Academy, Jay Mo Härtling, in the 2027 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. Jay Mo has earned this opportunity through his outstanding performances in the highly competitive GT2 European Series. We look forward to working with him as he takes the next step in his career. The SRO GT Academy is a fantastic initiative for promoting young talent and opening up opportunities for their future in motorsport.”

Jay Mo Härtling, SRO GT Academy winner: “The season in the GT2 European Series was incredibly exciting and at times felt like a rollercoaster ride. We got off to a very good start, but also had a few average results along the way. Overall, however, we did a very good job. Winning the SRO GT Academy is an important and forward-looking step for the SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm team and for me. I’m delighted that, thanks to the SRO GT Academy, I’ll have the opportunity to prove myself in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 in next year’s GT World Challenge Europe.”