ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (February 18, 2026) – Earl Bamber, the two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans champion, is making his return to the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin for Rounds Three and Four at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg street course. After debuting in the series last October at Martinsville Speedway, Bamber will compete again with Hendricks Motorsports to tackle the challenging St. Pete street circuit. The Kiwi driver is eager to add this street race to his growing list of motorsport achievements.
Bamber Embraces the Opportunity to Conquer a New Challenge
Having recently crossed the oval racing milestone at Martinsville off his list, Bamber is excited to experience street racing with the MX-5 Cup cars at St. Petersburg, a track unfamiliar to him. His return to the series reflects his determination to continue pushing his limits across different racing platforms and circuits.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back into the Mazda field and into the car,”
Bamber said.
I had a great time at Martinsville and it’s such a welcoming paddock. I’m looking forward to Saint Pete. It’s a track I’ve never been at, but I’m looking forward to the challenge of street racing one of these machines.”
Impressive Racing Resume Highlights Bamber’s Expertise
Earl Bamber’s extensive motorsport record includes titles in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, as well as multiple prestigious endurance race victories. His wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015 and 2017 established him as a leading sportscar driver early in his career. More recently, he claimed victory at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring in 2023 and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2022. He also finished second in the Rolex 24 at Daytona with the No. 31 Whelen Action Express Cadillac team, showcasing consistent top-level performance in endurance racing.
Track Familiarity and Tough Competition Await in St. Petersburg
Although Bamber is experienced with street circuits, having won the IMSA GTLM class at Long Beach in 2019 and earned DPi podiums at Long Beach and Detroit in 2022, competing in the MX-5 Cup at St. Petersburg presents a more demanding challenge due to the deep and talented field. Among his competitors will be fellow endurance racer and WEC teammate Sebastien Bourdais, who is entering his MX-5 Cup debut at the event while raising funds for the Karts4Kids charity.
Schedule and Broadcast Information for St. Petersburg Weekend
Both Earl Bamber and Sebastien Bourdais will have a single practice session before qualifying on Friday, February 27, ahead of the two-race weekend. Race 1 is slated to start at 7:30 AM ET on Saturday, February 28, followed by Race 2 at 4:00 PM ET on Sunday, March 1. Fans can watch the action live via RACER and IMSA’s YouTube channels, offering a full view of the MX-5 Cup series competition.
Significance of the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup and Its Role in Driver Development
The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup, powered by Mazda and presented by Michelin, remains a cornerstone spec series within Mazda Motorsports, featuring tight competition and a pathway for grassroots racers to advance. Operating under Andersen Promotions since 2017 and sanctioned by IMSA, the series offers more than $1 million in prizes and scholarships, supporting emerging talents aiming to progress to higher tiers of professional racing. Bamber’s involvement brings increased attention to the series, emphasizing its relevance in nurturing versatile racing drivers across varying disciplines.
