Hampus Ericsson enters his first full season in GT3 racing, competing for Random Vandals Racing in the No. 99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO.

After a successful 2025 campaign with Wayne Taylor Racing’s Lamborghini Super Trofeo program that resulted in a Pro World Title, the Swedish driver is embracing a dual-championship schedule in 2026.

“Yeah, running my first-ever GT3 championship with RVR (Random Vandals Racing) in the BMW in GT World Challenge America is the perfect step for me. Obviously, as a rookie, I think doing this championship is very tough, but with this team, who’s very experienced — and obviously they won the Pro championship last year — they know what they’re doing. I think it’s the perfect step for me coming into GT3 racing.”

“Obviously, that’s where I want to be in the future, in the top class of GT3. So yeah, it’s going to be a busy year since I’m doing Lambo this year as well with Wayne Taylor. But I’m really looking forward to it. It feels like I’m properly busy now with two championships compared to last year.”

“I’m learning every outing almost, every weekend, especially also since doing two championships. The Lambo versus the BMW — they’re complete opposite cars and techniques. But I think that’s a good thing, and I’m learning to adapt more and more.”

Ericsson’s time racing in the United States has been brief, but successful. While Lamborghini Super Trofeo served as a strong launching pad, the RVR driver always knew GT3 racing was the next step.

“Ever since I started racing in the States last year, I always wanted to make the GT3 step. But I think it was good to do Super Trofeo the first year, learn as many tracks as possible, gain experience since the American style and philosophy of racing is very, very different compared to Europe.”

“Like I said, I was always looking at the GT3 door to see if there were any possibilities for 2026. I actually spoke a little bit to Paul (Sparta) during 2025 just to see what kind of team they were and stuff like that. Then, at the end of last year, I did a test with WRT in Barcelona in the BMW. Obviously, it was my first-ever test in a GT3 car and also in a BMW, and that was very successful.”

“We kept trying to get a ride in a GT3 car in America for 2026, and that’s when the door with Paul opened all of a sudden, kind of out of nowhere, basically. I was very lucky to get it because Paul, the team, RVR, Derek (DeBoer) — my teammate — it was just the perfect match for a rookie season. We couldn’t say no. It’s the perfect campaign for me.”

As mentioned, Ericsson will still fulfill his commitments in 2026 aboard the No. 1 Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 for Wayne Taylor Racing. In a season that has already seen major championship shakeups, Ericsson is prepared for another title fight in the series.

“Yeah, obviously the car me and Nick Persing are driving with Random Vandals had two main competitors. We thought it was just going to be the No. 29 TR3 car with Elias (De La Torre) and Will (Bamber), but then something happened there and Bamber moved to X09 Motorsport with Trinka in the 33 car.”

“Now it’s three very, very strong cars. We’ve done Sebring, we’ve done Laguna, and we’re tied on points with Bamber while Elias is only one point behind. It’s very, very close, but that’s how it should be.”

“Next up is Watkins Glen in about a month, and we’re really looking forward to it. We have good momentum after Laguna, where I think we scored the most points of any car that weekend. Me and Nick are confident, and we have the best team behind us, so we’ll try to win everything obviously.”

Transitioning from a Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo to a BMW GT3 has brought a unique learning curve. While the Lamborghini rewards aggression, the BMW requires precision and patience.

“The Lambo is more like you want to hustle it, wrestle it, take control of the car,” said Ericsson. “I’ve driven Super Trofeo the last two years, really adapting and learning how to drive those cars.”

“Then coming to the BMW, which is the complete opposite, you have to be very gentle, very precise with your inputs, and smooth. It’s completely opposite from the Lambo. But again, I see it as an opportunity to gain more experience as a racing driver and learn to adapt to a different car.”

“At the end of the day, it’s still four wheels, a steering wheel, you’re on a track, and you want to go as fast as possible. But the philosophy of driving is very, very different. I see it as experience and knowledge for the future.”

Ericsson is also adapting to the longer-format races featured in GT World Challenge America, a stark contrast from the sprint-style intensity of Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America. While the WTR Lamborghini requires flat-out pace every lap, preserving tires and equipment in endurance racing has become a new challenge.

“In Lambo, we have these longer sprint races with no tire changes, so it’s basically qualifying lap after qualifying lap every single lap,” said Ericsson. “Here in GT World Challenge, obviously they changed the format to three hours this year, but I really see that as a strong factor for why I wanted to race in this championship.”

“Endurance racing, especially in GT3, is my dream. I want to do it more in the future all the time. This change with the three-hour format and double stints is something new for me. You really have to take care of the tires and temperatures. Again, it’s a learning curve.”

“I’m learning every weekend how to preserve the tires. It’s a completely different mindset compared to Lambo, but I really enjoy it at the same time.”

As for this weekend at Sebring International Raceway, Ericsson will tackle hot temperatures and long green-flag runs under the Florida sun. Despite the challenge, he is eager to take on one of sports car racing’s most historic circuits.

“Sebring is always tough, but I think that’s what makes this place special. The bumps, the history, the character of the track — it’s always a challenge.”

“We know it’s going to be a hard and long race. We’ll have to be smart. Hopefully we’ll get lucky with yellows if there are any, but there probably will be.”

“I’m confident with the team. Me and Derek will have a great race car, and we’ll see what we can do in qualifying. But it’s a long race and a lot can happen. We’re going to focus on having a strong car in the final hour where it matters most.”

Looking ahead, Ericsson’s long-term goal remains reaching the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship grid full time. With rumors surrounding a future WeatherTech program for Random Vandals Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing already competing in GTD competition, the opportunities could be there for the young Swede.

“Yeah, of course. My main goal is WeatherTech racing in GT3. Ever since I started racing in Super Trofeo as a support series to WeatherTech last year, I’ve thought, ‘This is awesome. I want to do this.’”

“We’ll see what happens with Random Vandals next year. Obviously, Wayne Taylor already races in WeatherTech too. But at the end of the day, I have to perform on and off the track. That’s what I’m focused on.”

“If I do well, more doors will open. I’m still very fresh to GT3 racing, and there are so many good drivers out there competing for not many Silver-rated seats in WeatherTech. I just need to stay humble, keep hustling, and do the best I can on and off the track.”

As for potentially sharing a car with his brother, Marcus Ericsson, the 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner, Hampus says it remains one of his biggest goals.

“Yeah, that’s one of my dreams for sure. To share a car in American endurance sports car racing with Marcus would be amazing. I actually think it’s possible this year — we’ll see what happens.”

“That’s something we’ve been working toward my whole career. I’ve been doing Carrera Cup and Super Trofeo, but now I’m reaching the GT3 level where it actually makes sense for Marcus to join me in a car.”

“Maybe we’ll get a drive together this year. But in the future, doing a Rolex or Petit Le Mans together with Marcus would be amazing.”

Image Courtesy to GT World Challenge America/SRO America