Earl Bamber Returns to Mazda MX-5 Cup Competition at St. Petersburg
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Earl Bamber will compete in Rounds Three and Four of the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, rejoining Hendricks Motorsports for the event. This marks his second appearance in the series, following his debut at Martinsville Speedway last October [IMSA].
From Ovals to Street Circuits
Bamber expressed his enthusiasm for returning to the Mazda MX-5 Cup, noting the welcoming atmosphere of the paddock. He stated, “I’m really looking forward to getting back into the Mazda field and into the car. I had a great time at Martinsville and it’s such a welcoming paddock. I’m looking forward to Saint Pete. It’s a track I’ve never been at, but I’m looking forward to the challenge of street racing one of these machines.” [IMSA]
A Decorated Racing Career
Bamber brings a wealth of experience to the MX-5 Cup series, having achieved significant success in various motorsport disciplines. His accolades include two victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2015, 2017), an FIA World Endurance Championship, and an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship [IMSA]. He similarly secured wins at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring (2023) and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring (2022). Most recently, he finished second in the Rolex 24 At Daytona with the No. 31 Cadillac Whelen team.
Street Racing Experience
While new to the St. Petersburg street course, Bamber is familiar with street racing, having previously won the IMSA GTLM class at Long Beach in 2019 and achieved podium finishes at Long Beach and Detroit in 2022 [IMSA]. However, he acknowledges that securing a podium finish in the competitive MX-5 Cup grid will be a significant challenge.
Bourdais to Compete for Charity
Bamber will be competing against his FIA World Endurance Championship teammate, Sébastien Bourdais, who is making his MX-5 Cup debut at St. Petersburg as a fundraiser for the Karts4Kids charity [IMSA]. Both drivers will have limited track time, with only one practice session before qualifying on Friday, February 27.
Race Schedule
The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin races at St. Petersburg will grab place on February 28 and March 1, supporting the opening round of the IndyCar Series. Race 1 is scheduled for 7:30am ET on Saturday, February 28, and Race 2 will begin at 4:00pm ET on Sunday, March 1. Both races will be live streamed on the IMSA and RACER YouTube channels [DailySportscar].