The 2026 Champions from across the European Le Mans Series, Michelin Le Mans Cup and Ligier European Series were recognised at an end-of-season gala at Portimão Arena on Sunday evening presented by ELMS TV pit lane reporter Steph Wentworth, joined onstage by TV commentator, historic racer and team owner and ELMS Champion a full decade ago in the then very new LMP3 class, Alex Brundle.
Amongst the crowning of the seasons Champions a number of Special Awards were presented:
A new category of award, the Career Achievement Award, went to Eduardo Freitas after presiding as Race Director for the ELMS for the final time on Saturday – he’ll return in 2027 as a senior adviser.
Performance of the Year went to the mercurial teenage talent that is Griffin Peebles after the 18-year-old contributed speed and consistency to the eventual Championship-winning effort from United Autosports.
Indeed Peebles would receive a second solo award as the LMP2 recipient of the season-long Golden Goodyear Wingfoot Award in recognition of scoring the best speed and consistency across his stints.
LMP2 Pro-Am saw Algarve Pro Racing’s Malthe Jakobsen score the class Goodyear Wingfoot Award with TF Sport’s Charlie Eastwood taking home the Award for LMGT3.
The Pitstop Challenge winning teams of Kessel Racing (who took the overall and LMGT3 crowns) IDEC Sport (LMP2), and M Racing (LMP3) were also recognised.
The 2026 Personality of the Year award went to Algarve Pro Racing team principal Stewart Cox, with Stewy living up to his billing with an observation on just what a part of the decorative art adorning the arena reminded him of!
Rookie of the Year went to CLX Motorsport (ELMS) and ANS Motorsport (MLMC) standout talent Louis Iglesias.
And the Gentleman Driver of the Year for 2026 went to Kessel Racing’s Takeshi Kimura, who once again competed aboard his Car Guy-branded #57 Ferrari this year.
