$8 MILLION PAGANI TO STAR IN NEW ADELAIDE GRAND FINAL SUPPORT CLASS

A selection of ultra-expensive track-focused hypercars will hit the track during the BP Adelaide Grand Final.

The Pagani at the launch of the Adelaide Grand Final event. Image: Supplied

Organisers have added an additional category to the on-track program titled GT1 Race Club presented by GG Classic Cars.

It was teased during Wednesday night’s event launch through the unveiling of an $8 million Pagani Huayra R Evo Roadster.

High-end exotica from manufacturers including Bugatti and Ferrari are also said to be part of the program.

GT1 Race Club is backed by international GT racing promoter the SRO Motorsports Group.

Adelaide is yet to confirm details on the format, although is promoting it as a “race feature” and a “competitive event”.

The event schedule released last month included six slots across the four days for a ‘feature challenge’.

Event director Shaun Bennetts trumpeted the addition at the launch event.

“Adelaide has always been a place where special racing cars belong,” he said.

“From the Formula 1 era through to Supercars, GT racing and international demonstrations, this circuit has hosted some of the most significant competition cars ever brought to Australia.

“In 2026 we will continue that tradition with the GT1 Race Club presented by GG Classic Cars.

“The GT1 Race Club will bring together an exceptional collection of track focused hypercars from leading manufacturers and specialist race car constructors.”

Details of eligibility, entries and participating cars and drivers are yet to be confirmed.

The Wednesday night launch also featured the premiere of a new commercial for the November 26-29 event featuring Hollywood star Eric Bana.

- Stefan Bartholomaeus

STROLL SET FOR GT WORLD CHALLENGE DEBUT AT PAUL RICARD

As a sudden forced hiatus puts a halt on Formula 1 this month due to the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, Lance Stroll isn’t interested in a quiet month at home.

Instead of swapping his racing suit for loungewear, the Aston Martin charger is trading his open-wheel cockpit for something with a roof and a lot more bodywork.

Next week, Stroll will make a surprise debut in the GT World Challenge Europe season-opener at the Circuit Paul Ricard.

Swapping his usual F1 machinery for the muscular Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO, the Canadian is joining the Comtoyou Racing squad. It’s a move that keeps his reflexes sharp while the rest of the F1 world waits for the sport’s reprise in Miami next month.

Stroll won’t be flying solo in the No. 18 entry. He’s set to share the drive with a diverse crew, including former Marussia F1 pilot Roberto Merhi and fellow Spanish racer Mari Boya.

A tacked-up field at Paul Ricard

While the outing will mark Stroll’s first foray into the specific world of GT racing, he’s no stranger to the endurance grind.

With two Daytona 24 Hours starts already to his name – including a notable fifth-place finish back in 2016 – the transition to GT3 should be more of a "refresher" than a "reset."

©Comtoyou Racing

The grid at Paul Ricard is shaping up to be a star-studded affair. Stroll will find himself sharing the tarmac with MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi, who returns to the series full-time with BMW.

Even Max Verstappen’s presence will be felt, as his Team Verstappen Racing outfit is also scheduled to compete, even if the Dutchman himself is sitting this one out.

For Stroll, this will be a cameo that will hopefully remind the paddock that when given something different than a high-frequency vibrating F1 machine, he can still surprise.

- Michael Delaney