Roeselare (BE), April 3, 2026 – Michiel Haverans and Sam Paley, both drivers within the Ford Racing Driver Development Team, will line up together for TeamFloral in the GT4 European Series at Circuit Paul Ricard. Haverans continues to build on his experience with the team in his second season with the Mustang GT4, while Paley makes his European GT4 debut with clear enthusiasm.
Mustang GT4 experience combined in an ambitious duo
Michiel Haverans has become an established presence within TeamFloral. Following a strong debut season, highlighted by winning the Rookie Award at the 24 Hours of Spa, he takes the next step in his development in 2026. His structured approach and rapid progression behind the wheel of the Ford Mustang GT4 earned him selection earlier this year for the Ford Racing Driver Development Team.
Sam Paley enters his second year within the same development program and will take his first steps in a European championship at Paul Ricard. The young American already demonstrated his potential last season with, among others, two podium finishes in the Mustang Challenge Le Mans Invitational. In addition, he brings extensive experience with the Mustang GT4, having made his debut in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in 2024 and continuing his campaign in 2025. In parallel, he built a strong track record in the IMSA Mustang Challenge, securing multiple race wins and podium finishes. He now aims to translate that accumulated knowledge into performance in the European championship.
A perfect fit within the shared philosophy of TeamFloral and Ford Racing
The collaboration with young talent and Ford Racing has been a constant within TeamFloral for over 30 years. With Haverans and Paley, the team once again brings together two drivers who perfectly align with that vision: young, ambitious, and active within the manufacturer’s international development program, aimed at progressing to higher levels of motorsport.
Today, the manufacturer is building a motorsport program of unprecedented breadth and depth, competing at the highest level across disciplines. From the technological pinnacle of Formula 1 to the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, international GT championships with the iconic Mustang, and the extreme terrain of Dakar with the Ford Raptor T1+.
“It is an honor to be part of the Ford Racing pyramid,” says team owner Jean-Marc Valckenaere. “Ford’s ambitions in European racing are greater than ever, and we are proud to play our part in that journey.”
For Ford, motorsport is more than just competition. It serves as the ultimate development platform where new technologies are tested and refined directly for a more sustainable automotive industry.
A sustainable collaboration with ACCT Management
With the arrival of Sam Paley, the team further strengthens its international profile. From a management perspective, this step is seen as a clear example of modern talent development in motorsport: “This is what driver management should look like,” says Tom Claessen of ACCT Management. “Bringing together TeamFloral, Ford Racing, and two of their most promising young drivers within the European GT4 championship is not just a commercial deal, but an investment in the next generation of motorsport talent. We are proud to have played our part in making this happen.”
An ambitious duo heading to Paul Ricard
Paley himself is also looking forward to the collaboration and the upcoming season: “I’m very excited to be joining TeamFloral for the start of the GT4 European Series, and I’m looking forward to sharing the car with my teammate Michiel Haverans,” says Paley. “We’ve only recently met, but he is an exceptional talent. I’m confident we can be competitive at the front. With Ford Racing, TeamFloral, and the Mustang GT4, we have all the tools needed to achieve strong results.”
Haverans and Paley will not have to wait long for their GT4 European Series debut. The season gets underway from April 10 to 12 at Circuit Paul Ricard. In the lead-up to the opening round, preparations are in full swing, with a strong focus on sim racing, data analysis, and technical development.
Michiel Haverans and Sam Paley in action in the GT4 European Series
- Round 1 | April 10-12: Circuit Paul Ricard (FR)
- Round 2 | May 29-31: Monza (IT)
- Round 3 | June 25-27: Spa-Francorchamps (BE)
- Round 4 | July 17-19: Misano (IT)
- Round 5 | September 18 - 20: Zandvoort (NL)
- Round 6 | October 16 - 18: Portimao (PT)