George Kurtz has enjoyed a stellar 2026 campaign, highlighted by four straight Formula One victories through his ownership of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team and a season-opening Rolex 24 class victory in LMP2 driving the No. 4 CrowdStrike Racing by APR Oreca.

The CrowdStrike boss had long been knocking on the door of a Rolex 24 class win with his CrowdStrike Racing program, making this year’s breakthrough especially meaningful for Kurtz.

“Super special,” Kurtz said. “We’ve been trying for a number of years, and we’ve always come so close. To finally get the monkey off our back has been incredible. I think the team did a great job. We had a great lineup. I think everybody knew their role, and it was a matter of getting to the end and making sure that we had a car to fight with. Obviously, the start was more exciting than we wanted, but I think it showed how, as a team, we could come back and battle through adversity and get the win. So couldn’t be more excited, and the car was fantastic and proud of all the drivers.”

As mentioned, Kurtz has not only found success through his LMP2 efforts, but also on the Formula One stage. Opening the year with four consecutive wins between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, Kurtz is thrilled with how the season has started for Mercedes.

“Obviously, it’s a new year with new rules and regulations,” Kurtz said. “You’re never quite sure how it’s going to be. I think the racing has been fantastic. The Mercedes team up and down have done a fantastic job to deliver, I think, an amazing car. Both George (Russell) and Kimi (Antonelli) have been spectacular.”

Three of the team’s four victories have come from the young Antonelli, who most recently stood atop the podium in Miami earlier this month.

Antonelli is no stranger to the sports car paddock, having recently served as the honorary starter for the 6 Hours of Imola to kick off the FIA World Endurance Championship season.

While the Italian remains busy with his Formula One commitments, Kurtz would welcome the opportunity to one day share a car with the budding Mercedes star.

“He (Kimi Antonelli) certainly keeps an eye on all the racing,” Kurtz said. “He’s a real racer at heart. If I ever have the chance in the future to race with him, I certainly would welcome it.”

Currently, the LMP2 class is on break from IMSA competition and is set to return to action in just over a month at Watkins Glen International.

Over the past several seasons, the LMP2 category has continued to grow in both depth and competitiveness, something Kurtz has embraced amid the 2026 championship battle.

“It’s a fantastic car,” Kurtz said. “It’s a racer’s car. It’s light, nimble, and driving it is a real pleasure. Then you look up and down the lineups, it’s probably one of the hardest classes around the globe. If you look across the bronzes, top bronzes, silvers, top silvers, and top golds, you have ex-Formula One drivers. You’ve got drivers who go to GTP. You’ve got all kinds of world-class folks. So, I think it makes it even more special to be able to race with top folks like that. The competition hasn’t been higher.”

 

Image Courtesy to IMSA