Reigning McLaren Trophy America Champions GMG Racing bring the momentum of a podium perfect start to the 2026 season and the motivation of a new team driver to the Miami International Autodrome this weekend for the first North American appearance of the second-year McLaren Trophy America series on a Formula 1 race weekend at the Grand Prix of Miami, May 1 – 3.

The dual GMG Racing McLaren Artura Trophy contenders combined for class finishes no lower than third all weekend in the doubleheader opener at Sonoma Raceway in late March. The highlight was a charging second-place Am-class finish by co-drivers Deniz Teoman and Jeff Cook in the No. 5 GMG Racing McLaren Artura Trophy in Saturday’s opening race alongside a trio of third-place showings. Teoman and Cook finished P3 in Am in Sunday’s final race while their teammate Randy Highland scored a pair of third-place finishes in the No. 7 GMG Racing McLaren Artura Trophy in the Pro-Am division.

Starting this weekend in Miami, Highland co-drives with debuting GMG Racing driver Michael O’Brien (pictured above), who complements GMG Racing’s pair of inaugural season McLaren Trophy driver and team titles as the reigning McLaren Trophy Europe Pro Champion.

“Deniz, Jeff and Randy moved our second season of McLaren Trophy America competition off to a great start at Sonoma with every finish on the podium,” said GMG Racing and Founder James Sofronas. “Now, with Michael O’Brien joining our team and pairing up with Randy, it only adds to our prospects for even more success, and it all starts this weekend in Miami. This is the biggest stage yet for McLaren Trophy America in its debut race on a Formula 1 weekend and we plan to step into the spotlight as much as possible.”

O’Brien, who hails from the motorsports mecca of Silverstone, England, won six races as part of eight total podium showings in last year’s title-winning season in McLaren Trophy Europe. He also made some early McLaren Trophy history by sweeping all eight possible pole positions last year in Europe.

“I’m delighted to join GMG Racing and McLaren Trophy America,” O’Brien said. “It is really exciting to work with such an ambitious and professional team. I’m sure we are going to enjoy some great success together. As the reigning McLaren Trophy Europe Pro Champion I’m looking forward to testing myself against some new opponents and pushing to establish the same level of success across the pond. It will also be great to add a temporary circuit race to my experience, and on a Formula 1 weekend no less!”

O’Brien joins Sofronas, who drove to the inaugural Am-class title last year, as McLaren Trophy Champions at GMG Racing, but he has something else in common with his other GMG teammates – and many others in the record 24-entry field – this weekend in Florida. O’Brien, his co-driver Highland and their No. 5 teammates all make their temporary race circuit “street course” debuts at Miami.

“Looking forward to an exciting and successful weekend in what will be McLaren Trophy America’s biggest race of the year,” Highland said. “Racing on the same weekend and on the same track as F1 is something that I’ve been looking forward to and have had circled on the calendar since it was announced as one of our venues by McLaren last year. Equally excited about my teammate and pro driver, Michael O’Brien from the UK. Our driver team and the GMG crew are well prepared and ready to roll!”

Teoman and co-driver Cook look to improve one position on Sonoma’s strong P2 finish in March.

“As we head to the 2026 McLaren Trophy America mid-season, there’s nothing more exciting than our stop at Miami,” Teoman said. “I’m so honored to represent GMG racing and the McLaren brand in a moment that so completely exemplifies the essence of Motorsport. The opportunity to connect with so many race fans is the thing that I’m most looking forward to.”

Cook joins his teammates in appreciating the opportunity and sheer spectacle this weekend’s milestone Formula 1 support races bring to McLaren Trophy.

“Coming off an amazing first round with my teammate, Deniz, the energy heading into Miami is on another level,” Cook said. “Being part of the biggest McLaren Trophy America race to date and doing it alongside a Formula 1 weekend is an incredible opportunity. This weekend is particularly special for me as it’s my first ever street circuit debut. There’s zero margin for error with these temporary walls, but I’m ready for the challenge as we head into our second race of the season.”

On track action for McLaren Trophy America in Miami began Thursday evening with a 30-minute practice session. A second practice session Friday paves the way for Saturday afternoon qualifying for that evening’s first 40-minute race of the weekend at 6 p.m. EDT. The second and final race of the weekend is scheduled to go green on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. EDT. Both races will be streamed live on SRO’s GT World and McLaren Automotive’s YouTube channels.