The GT World Challenge Europe continues on its way with the celebration of the 1,000 km of Paul Ricardfourth appointment of the year and second of the Endurance Cup after the 3 Hours of Imola. The most iconic test of the event, apart from the 24 Hours of Spaarrives with its traditional six-hour format in which the pilots they start the race during the day and finish the competition at night. With a grid of 54 cars, the show is served, since all brands represented in the championship have options to fight for victory.
Paul Ricard is a versatile circuit that allows different configurations combining its straight lines and chicanes, present throughout the entire layout. In the case of the GTWC Europe, the series uses the 5,791 meter configuration with the full backstretch. This decision offers a layout with two slower and twistier sectors around the finish line where 15 curves are concentrated and an intermediate sector almost defined by the huge back straight. Usual scenario of the pre-season tests, Paul Ricard is the Montmeló of the GT World Challenge Europewidely known to all pilots.
The list of contenders for victory in Paul Ricard is wideeven if the GT3 with Spanish drivers is left aside – all candidates for victory – which we will review later. Audi is the most represented brand and has several ‘greyhounds’ who can impose their law. Highlights the Audi #32 of Dries Vanthoor, Charles Weerts and Kelvin Van der Linde, but also the GT3 entered in the Pro class of Car Collection, Saintéloc Racing and Attempto Racing. Also, Valentino Rossi returns to action with the #46 Audi of Team WRT.
Mercedes has ten cars, but only two GT3 in the Pro class, #88 and #2 in which Maro Engel, Luca Stolz and Steijn Schothorst compete. It can be considered so the commitment of brands such as Ferrari or Lamborghini has the same weight, even if they have fewer cars on the grid. Porsche has seven cars, but only one entered in the Pro class. In fact, McLaren has more cars in the premier class and It will be interesting to see how far JOTA’s #38 and JP Motorsport’s #111 can go.. BMW and Aston Martin also have their options.
There are three GT3 with national presence, leaving aside the Mercedes #90 from Madpanda Motorsport, a vehicle that competes under the Spanish flag. Three vehicles that have serious options to fight for victory. In the end, Miguel Molina competes in the Iron Lynx Ferrari #51 along with Nicklas Nielsen and James Calado, highly talented teammates. For its part, Albert Costa is present in the Lamborghini #63 alongside Mirko Bortolotti and Jack Aitken, while Dani Juncadella joins forces in the #88 Mercedes with Raffaele Marciello and Jules Gounon.
Schedules of the GT World Challenge Europe in the 1,000 km of Paul Ricard
Photos: GT World Challenge Europe
