Will Hardeman

Will Hardeman, born on July 17, 1981, is an American racing driver who embodies the spirit of the "gentleman racer." Balancing his passion for motorsports with his responsibilities as the managing partner of Continental Auto Group and Mercedes-Benz of Austin, Hardeman has carved out a notable career in GT racing.

Hardeman's journey began later in life, fueled by a lifelong fascination with cars nurtured within his family's automotive business. The construction of the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) near his Austin home provided the catalyst for him to pursue racing seriously. Starting with a used Porsche cup car, he honed his skills through amateur racing before progressing to professional series.

Since 2015, Hardeman has competed in prestigious series such as the IMSA Porsche Cup USA, IMSA WeatherTech Championship, and the SRO GT World Challenge America. Driving a Mercedes GT3, he has secured wins and podium finishes. In 2023, he partnered with Adam Carroll, achieving a Pro-Am class pole position. Esses Racing will return for a second partial campaign in GT World Challenge America this season with the #19 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO with Hardeman driving. He is also known for his participation in endurance classics like the Rolex 24 at Daytona. His career stats include 69 races started, 2 wins, 11 podiums and 2 pole positions.