Madeline Stewart signs multi-year deal with CSM ahead of 2026 IMSA Pilot Challenge campaign

New Zealand driver Madeline Stewart will join CSM in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge from 2026 under a three-year agreement aimed at progressing to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Photo credits: @_crvn_

New Zealand's Madeline Stewart signed a three-year agreement with Czabok-Simpson Motorsport and will make her debut in the 2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series, while starting a long-term commitment within the IMSA paddock.

Under the agreement, Stewart will compete with CSM in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Championship in the GS class, driving a Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. The program has been structured with a clear long-term objective, with the team and driver targeting a step up to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship by 2028 as part of a planned progression.

The 2026 campaign will also represent Czabok-Simpson Motorsport’s third season in the Michelin Pilot Challenge, as the team continues to build on its experience and technical foundations in the highly competitive GS category. The expanded program reflects CSM’s ambition to establish itself as a consistent front-running operation while developing drivers and partnerships over multiple seasons.

Stewart, 25, arrives at CSM with extensive experience within the Porsche racing pyramid. She has spent the past two seasons competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America Championship and has built the majority of her career within the Porsche racing environment. Her long-standing relationship with the manufacturer is further reinforced by her membership in the Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program, having first raced Stateside in the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America.

The multi-year program has been designed to support Stewart’s development as a professional racing driver while also addressing the commercial and strategic sides required to sustain a long-term career at the highest levels of IMSA.

“This partnership with CSM represents a major step forward in my career,” said Stewart. “This multi-year deal allows us to build momentum with clear intent and work towards long-term goals together."

"Porsche has been fundamental to my racing journey and continuing with the brand while joining a team entering its third season in the Michelin Pilot Challenge aligns perfectly with where I’m headed. I’m excited to grow with CSM on and off the track and to continue progressing within IMSA at the highest level.”

“Madeline brings proven Porsche experience, professionalism, and strong potential,” added CSM co-owner Stephen Simpson highlighting the importance of stability and long-term planning.

“Several of our current drivers are on long term agreements, Madeline fits perfectly within our current driver roster and shares our long-term vision were we want to progress in the future. This three-year commitment allows us to focus on development - both competitively and commercially - and to work toward a shared objective of stepping into the WeatherTech Championship together.”

Madeline Stewart completed her second season in Porsche Carrera Cup North America in 2025, taking steps forward in performance over the course of the season, with a run of eight points scoring finishes in the final nine races as the Kiwi racer showed excellent late-season form. Improving both her qualifying and race pace, Madeline became a consistent top-10 challenger in her sophomore campaign.

The 2026 season will mark the beginning of a new chapter for Stewart, who now looks forward to climb the IMSA ladder.