The 2022 Sprint Cup season reaches its final stretch. The short format category of the GT World Challenge Europe has his fourth and penultimate appointment in Misano, all before giving way to the 24 Hours of Spa. Subsequently, the Sprint Cup will close its doors in Valencia, in mid-September. Until then it is very likely that there will be no champions, although the round on the Italian track could be key in the fight for the title maintained by the drivers of the Audi #32 of Team WRT and the Mercedes #89 of Akkodis-ASP.
The Misano circuit is a track widely known by many of the GTWC Europe drivers, since it has already been part of the series calendar. Last year it also hosted one of the sprint rounds, to which we must add that it has been the destination of the DTM and other categories. In addition, a good number of drivers in the event are Italian. Misano is a complex circuit even for the most expert, since along its 4,226 meters of rope there are curves of all kinds and formats. With 16 anglesthe layout draws a challenge for pilots and team technicians.
After competing at Brands Hatch, Magny-Cours and Zandvoort, the difference between the two great contenders for the title is minimal. Charles Weerts and Dries Vanthoor add 74.5 points after achieving two wins, three second places and one sixth place with the Audi #32 in the races that have been held to date in the three aforementioned circuits. For its part, Raffaele Marciello and Timur Boguslavskiy have 74 points with a balance of three wins, one second and one third placeall after having a black Saturday in Zandvoort with the #89 Mercedes.
Beyond the two GT3 protagonists of the championship, there is a lot of crumb. Among other things, the rest of the Team WRT and Akkodis-ASP vehicles must be taken into account, because they can play a determining role. Also other Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II can choose the fight towards the interests of the German brand, since the pilots of Saintéloc Racing or Car Collection have performed at a good level. Also, ‘Free verses’ like the AF Corse Ferrari #53 in which Pierre-Alexandre Jean and Ulysse De Pauw are present can give some color to the test.
In an already complex scenario, the Sprint Cup has a more voluminous grille than usual. Two Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo join the category in an exceptional way. The first is entered by Imperiale Racing in the Pro category, while the second is among the Pro-Am cars under the LP Racing banner. In a weekend in which the Sprint Cup, DTM, WTCR and Formula E coincide, there are some driver changes in the roster of several teams.
Times of the GT World Challenge Europe in Misano (sPRint Cup)
Photos: GT World Challenge Europe