It caught almost everyone off guard. This coming January, Romain Grosjean will take part in the Daytona 24 Hours. Not in the top-flight GTP class, but at the wheel of a Ford Mustang GT3 entered in GTD by Myers Riley Motorsports.
At first glance, it’s a surprising move. But it is maybe what Grosjean needs to stay on the radar of manufacturers preparing for Hypercar programmes after his former employer Lamborghini’s exit.
What have we learned?
The press release dropped on Monday: Former Formula 1 and IndyCar driver Romain Grosjean will complete the line-up for the #16 Myers Riley Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 in the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona (January 24-25).
The announcement comes just three days after Grosjean’s official split from Lamborghini Squadra Corse, the manufacturer he’s represented since 2023, first in GT racing, then as part of its Hypercar/GTP development effort, but which has now pulled out of the top class.
“The addition of Romain to our already formidable driver team for Daytona is very exciting,” said team co-owner Ross Myers. “It adds to the momentum that has already started for a successful start to the 2026 season.”
“I’m very excited to take part in the Daytona 24 with Myers Riley,” Grosjean added. “It’s a special event that I would not want to miss, and collaborating with the team has been such a pleasure.”
The Myers Riley Mustang will make its first laps around the 3.56-mile Daytona International Speedway road course during the IMSA-sanctioned test on November 14–16.
What can Grosjean expect?
The challenge will be considerable. Myers Riley Motorsports is a newly formed outfit, born from the alliance between Riley Motorsports - seen in recent years in LMP2 - and Ross Myers’ 3 Dog Garage.
The team will need to find its footing quickly while also learning the nuances of the Mustang GT3, a car that’s not exactly known for being easy to extract performance from. On the other hand, Riley Motorsports has solid GT3 experience, having fielded Mercedes-AMG GT3s across multiple series.
Grosjean will share the car with Sheena Monk (Bronze), Felipe Fraga (Gold), and Ford development driver Jenson Altzman (Silver). Altzman, fourth in this year’s IMSA Pilot Challenge, also made five GTD appearances in 2025 with Gradient Racing’s Mustang GT3.
Due to various unknowns, the #16 Mustang will not be among the favourites in the GTD category. However, it would come as no surprise to see it playing the spoiler.
Why is Grosjean there?
Some fans have already interpreted Grosjean’s Mustang drive as a hint of a future Ford Hypercar seat. And while Ford could certainly benefit from a driver of his calibre, that doesn’t appear to be the motive behind this Daytona entry.
Grosjean already knows Riley Motorsports well as the team ran Lamborghini’s SC63 in the IMSA SportsCar Championship this year, giving Riley first-hand experience of his pace and professionalism.
Even if Grosjean admitted at Petit Le Mans that he prefers prototypes to GTs, turning down this offer would’ve been a mistake. Of his three previous Daytona appearances, two came behind the wheel of a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2, and he looked entirely at ease in the car.
This new opportunity gives him another platform - if one was even needed - to remind manufacturers of his versatility and speed.
Based on what he’s shown with Lamborghini, Romain Grosjean’s story in top-level endurance racing shouldn’t end here.
