As the 2026 season begins winding down, the FIA has released its provisional Driver Categorisation list for 2027.
The system, which divides drivers across four categories (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze), is utilised across ACO, IMSA and SRO competition and beyond, with said categorisation proving key in the driver market in this current era in the sport which sees series utilise complex Pro-Am systems.
All changes are subject to appeal, with changes frequently occurring between the release of the provisional and final lists.
As is traditionally the case, the key topic of conversation will be around those entering and exiting the Silver category, with Valentino Rossi and a selection of young talents being promoted to Gold, whilst various veterans of the sport – including notably Michelle Gatting – move the other way, and some emerging stars look set to remain Silver for another year.
The Silver-Bronze boundary has also seen some key movement, with GT World Challenge Europe frontrunners Dustin Blattner, Peter Dempsey and Constantin Dressler amongst those due for a promotion, whilst ELMS regular Paul Lafargue is included in the category of drivers set to be categorised as a Bronze next year.
Selected changes, and highlighted non-changes, are listed below. The full list published list is available HERE >>>
Remaining Platinum:
- Yelmer Buurmann
- Dane Cameron
- Olivier Pla
Gold to Platinum:
- Julien Andlauer
- Phil Hanson
- Laurin Heinrich
- Kyle Kirkwood
- Norman Nato
- Yifei Ye
Platinum to Gold:
- Timo Bernhard
- John Edwards
- Esteban Guerrieri
- Benoit Treluyer
- Jacques Villeneuve
Remaining Gold:
- Oliver Caldwell
- Ryan Dalziel
- Eliseo Donno
- Christian Fittipaldi
- Fabian Schiller
- Darren Turner
- David Vidales
- Lewis Williamson
Silver to Gold:
- Hugo Cook
- Ben Dörr
- Jonny Edgar
- Tom Fleming
- Mathys Jaubert
- Joseph Loake
- Riccardo Pera
- Valentino Rossi
- Ben Tuck
Gold to Silver:
- Alessandro Balzan
- João Barbosa
- Nico Bastian
- Townsend Bell
- Michelle Gatting
- Alex Imperatori
- Pierre Kaffer
- Jon Lancaster
- Richard Lyons
- Nic Minassian
- Simona de Silvestra
- Alex Yoong
Remaining Silver:
- Ian Aguilera
- Dudu Barrichello
- Julien Canal
- Emmanuel Collard
- Sean Gelael
- Christopher Froggatt
- Doriane Pin
- Nico Pino
- Tom Sargent
- Toby Sowery
- Parker Thompson
- Tim Tramnitz
- Alec Udell
- Jarrod Waberski
- Lilou Wadoux
- Finn Wiebelhaus
- Salih Yoluc
Bronze to Silver:
- Dustin Blattner
- Peter Dempsey
- Constantin Dressler
Silver to Bronze:
- Lindsay Brewer
- Steve Alvarez Brown
- Vincent Capillere
- Conrad Grunewald
- Duncan Huisman
- Rolf Ineichen
- Paul Lafargue
- Pippa Mann
- Carrie Schreiner
- Vincenzo Sospiri
- Michael Vergers
- James Walker
Remaining Bronze:
- Charles Dawson
Image courtesy of DPPI
