GT World Challenge Europe has had a very intense 2021 season. From the start of the championship in Monza to its end in Barcelona, many things have changed, especially with the gradual incorporation of the public into the circuits. For this reason, the final event of the Endurance Cup at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya promises to be a great party with a vibrant ending. Four GT3s fight for the Endurance Cup title in the 3 Hours of Barcelona, a stage in which the champions of the Silver Cup and the Pro-Am Cup will also be decided. You can not ask for much more.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is one of the most complex tracks on the entire GTWC Europe calendar. Along its 4,655 meters and its 16 curves, the track has very different sections that test the compromise between top speed and downforce to find the support that the GT3s ask for to tackle some of their long angles such as the Repsol corner. Thus, the race promises to be very open on a strategic level and not only for the pit stops, but for the ‘set up’ of each of the GT3 and due to tire wear. Perfect setting for the resolution of the title.
Last date, everything to be decided. The fight for the title of the Endurance Cup monopolizes all possible spotlights. Alessandro Pier Guidi, Côme Ledogar and Nicklas Nielsen, drivers of the Ferrari # 51, are the leaders of the contest with 77 points. Thirteen units behind are Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts, champions of the Sprint Cup and GTWC Europe – general title – with the Audi # 32. The Belgian duo will be accompanied by Robin Frijns. The third GT3 immersed in the title fight is the Lamborghini # 63 of Mirko Bortolotti, Marco Mapelli and Andrea Caldarelli, while the Mercedes # 88 of Raffaele Marciello and Jules Gounon it stays alive, although its options are minimal.
However, there are many GT3s who aspire to victory in Barcelona and, by extension, to be a judge and part of the fight for the title. Without going further, there’s Lamborghini # 163 from local hero Albert Costa, accompanied by Giacomo Altoè and Norbert Siedler. And even far from victory, it will be necessary to follow in the footsteps of the two new generation GT3s present in Barcelona. With the number # 26 will compete the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo2, under the management of Saintéloc Racing and with Markus Winkelhock, Finlay Hutchison and Dennis Lind at their controls. With the number # 82 appears the new BMW M4 GT3 driven by Philipp Eng, Augusto Farfus and Jesse Krohn.
The Endurance Cup is also looking for champions in its Silver Cup and Pro-Am Cup categories.. The Silver Cup title is very much in favor of the trio of drivers of the Lamborghini # 14, formed by Alex Fontana, Richardo Feller and Rolf Ineichen. With a 24-point lead over Alex Aka, driver of the Audi # 99, the title should not escape them. For its part, Pro-Am Cup it will have a tighter resolution. Chris Froggatt leads solo as Ferrari # 93 driver. His main opponents are Hiroshi Hamaguchi and Phil Keen in the # 19 Lamborghini, although they are 18 points behind. What’s more, the absolute Pro-Am title -Endurance + Sprint- will also be resolved.
Schedules of the GT World Challenge Europe in the 3 Hours of Barcelona