Lexus and Vasser Sullivan have unleashed their full driver arsenal for the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, revealing star-studded lineups for the No. 12 (GTD) and No. 14 (GTD PRO) Lexus RC F GT3 entries.
If the message wasn’t already clear: they are coming for championships — and finally for that elusive Rolex 24 win.
Hawksworth & Barnicoat Reunite in the No. 14 — Kirkwood Returns for Endurance Battles
The headline act returns intact.
Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat, one of IMSA’s strongest modern duos, climb back into the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 to chase another title after a decade-long partnership between Hawksworth and the brand.
Hawksworth switches back to GTD PRO after spending 2025 in the No. 12 GTD entry, where he finished third in points. With 11 victories, 32 podiums, and 13 poles since 2017, the Englishman seeks to reclaim the glory he and Barnicoat captured in the 2023 GTD PRO championship.
Barnicoat enters his fifth season with the team after a challenging 2025, eager to return to top form with the driver pairing he trusts most.
Returning alongside them for the endurance classics — Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, and Petit Le Mans — is Kyle Kirkwood, now in his seventh year with the Lexus program and carrying wins at Detroit, Petit Le Mans (2022), and Sebring (2024).
Telitz Leads No. 12 GTD Squad With Rookie Pedersen — Montecalvo and Masson Complete the Arsenal
Aaron Telitz, a longtime Vasser Sullivan staple, returns full-time to the GTD class in the No. 12 Lexus, joined by rising talent Benjamin Pedersen.
Telitz brings five wins, 16 podiums, five poles, and experience across both GTD and GTD PRO, while Pedersen debuts with the team after building momentum in LMP2 and earlier open-wheel campaigns.
For the endurance rounds, Frankie Montecalvo resumes his veteran role, entering his eighth season with Vasser Sullivan after scoring three podiums in 2025.
Joining them for the Rolex 24 will be 21-year-old Esteban Masson, the French F4 (2021), Eurocup-3 (2023), and ELMS (2025) champion who already has WEC GT3 experience aboard a Lexus RC F.
⭐ Team Leadership: “Unfinished Business” and a Ruthless 2026 Mission
Jeff Bal, Lexus Racing Director
“We’re extremely fortunate to once again have one of the sport’s premier driver lineups… fully focused on reclaiming the championship glory we achieved a few years ago. There would be no better way to begin than capturing victory at the Rolex 24.”
Jimmy Vasser & Sulli Sullivan
“We head into 2026 with unfinished business. Our lineup blends experience, continuity, and youthful energy — everything needed to chase another championship and our first Rolex 24 win.”
⭐ Driver Reactions: A Roster Loaded With Confidence
Jack Hawksworth
“We’re coming into 2026 stronger than ever. Every driver and every crew member is determined to deliver championship performance.”
Ben Barnicoat
“The team is family. We’ve shared special moments and achieved so much — and I know we’ll add to that list in 2026.”
Kyle Kirkwood
“This group has a proven track record. With our work ethic and perseverance, we will have great success this season.”
Aaron Telitz
“It’s an honor to be back full-time. We have a very exciting group, and I’m looking forward to working with Benjamin and reuniting with Frankie.”
Benjamin Pedersen
“I’m ecstatic to join such a professional, hard-working organization. I can’t wait to begin.”
Frankie Montecalvo
“Every year we get stronger. I have full confidence heading into Daytona.”
Esteban Masson
“My IMSA and Rolex 24 debut with such an experienced team is the ideal opportunity. I can’t wait for January.”
2026 Outlook: Lexus and Vasser Sullivan Are Coming in Loaded
With championship-winning veterans, young firepower, and multiple endurance specialists, Lexus and Vasser Sullivan have assembled one of the deepest driver lineups in IMSA heading into 2026.
They have unfinished business.
They have the talent.
And for the first time in years, they may have the strongest shot yet at securing the Rolex 24 victory that has slipped away too many times before.
