The Panama 2026 Grand Prix marked a historic milestone as it was the first time the GT Challenge of the Americas was held at night in Panama. The NACent Racing team—comprising Costa Rican André Solano and Guatemalan Juan Diego Hernández—secured top honors in their McLaren. The overall podium: 1st Gustavo Ortega, 2nd Solano/Hernández, 3rd Ricardo Vera.
In the TCR Panamá Copa Davivienda category, Juan Carlos Leroux dominated all three heats of the day in his debut with the AP team, demonstrating why the TCR Panamá Copa Davivienda category continues to grow in level and competitiveness. Among the standout performances, "Lucho" Ramírez had an outstanding day: he debuted in the GT Challenge of the Americas at the wheel of the Solly Betesh Audi R8, and in the TCR Panamá Copa Davivienda he achieved second place in his Hyundai, starring in an intense battle against Leroux. Meanwhile, Ricardo Vera competed in the GT Challenge category, consolidating his presence in this demanding championship.
The Panama 2026 Grand Prix brought together three high-level categories on the same stage: the GT Challenge of the Americas, the TCR Panamá Copa Davivienda in its second season, and the local Super Turismo tournament. The GT Challenge of the Americas was defined by a track record and an epic battle. The competition started under adverse weather conditions: a wet track, mandatory rain tire strategy, and a reconnaissance lap where drivers studied every puddle. Hernández put the cherry on top by setting an official record of 58.559 seconds, marking a milestone in the first round of the 2026 championship.
However, the excitement of the event was written by Costa Rican Gustavo Ortega at the helm of a Lamborghini fresh from the 24 Hours of Daytona. For the first time in its recent history, Autódromo Panamá recorded a sell-out crowd with over 15,000 people. Ortega dominated much of the second race with notable tactical intelligence—cooling his tires in the wet sections of the straight to avoid wear—and crossed the finish line first, resisting the millimeter-by-millimeter chase from the McLaren lap after lap. Gustavo Ortega secured a second success by mounting a great defense against Juan Diego Hernández, ultimately achieving victory.
"Today is not just about racing, but an integral experience that generates value for the country," highlighted Norberto Navarro, president of Autódromo Panamá. The event also featured a cultural component: legendary Roberto Durán signed commemorative gloves for the organization, and the Pit Party, with live music from Samy y Sandra Sandoval, became the heart of the event. The after-party peaked with the closing performance by Colombian artist Buxxi, alongside the Panamanian band Océano and DJ Leo, extending the celebration until midnight.
