A short preview of the 2024 GTWC season
- Diana Badea
- Apr 3, 2024
- 4 min read
Fasten your seatbelts for a brand-new, exciting season of the GTWC, aka GT World Challenge.
Since the season starts this weekend at Circuit Paul Ricard, we have decided to introduce you to this thrilling racing series, that passes through each continent with different racing calendars.Let's explore some key aspects of the European GTWC. First of all, the series is divided into two separate Championships, the Sprint Cup and the Endurance Cup. They both run GT3 cars, but the Endurance Cup focuses on longer races where multiple drivers alternate behind the wheel during an event, whilst the Sprint Cup features shorter races with a maximum of two drivers sharing driving responsibilities throughout the course of the weekend.
The season of the Endurance Cup kicks off at the circuit Paul Ricard, in the south of France and will conclude in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in November, whereas, the season of the Sprint Cup begins in May at Brands Hatch, and will end in October at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The season awaits 10 exhilarating rounds for both categories that are set to take place around Europe’s most prestigious racetracks, such as Monza, Mangy-Cours, Misano, Hockenheimring. The standout event of the season is the highly awaited Crowdstrike 24H of Spa in June, which is set to celebrate the centenary of its debut. With 9 different manufactures, 55 cars in Endurance and 38 cars in the Sprint, the 2024 season is set to be highly competitive.
Thrilling Storylines to follow in GTWC
Valentino Rossi
All eyes will be on Valentino Rossi, the nine-time MotoGP World Champion, who is sure to be a top contender this season. Having participated before in the 24H of Spa and claiming an incredible P6 last year, Rossi looks forward to converting his racing experience into a much greater result in this highly competitive Championship. Given his experience in motor racing, it’s just a matter of time before we see “The Doctor” fighting for titles in endurance. He is set to participate in both WEC and GTWC this year, trying to familiarize himself as much as possible with the 4-wheeled machinery. He declared about the upcoming GTWC season (after being announced for the 24H of Spa):
“In theory he could do all the races, but at the moment that is not the plan”
withholding information about his campaign in the series.
AF CORSE- Ferrari 296 GT3
Like every year, the expectations are set up high for AF Corse-Francorchamps Motors, multiple title winner team that will run a pair of Pro cars in the Endurance Cup. The #51 car features an all-Italian lineup with: Alessandro Pier Guidi, Davide Rigon and Alessio Rovera. However, the #71 car has a fresh lineup for the upcoming season: Thomas Neubauer, Vince Abril and David Vidales. Whilst both Neubauer and Abril have experience in this category, Vidales makes his debut in GT3 after graduating from single-seaters. Returning for another year in the series is Alessio Rovera, who gave his thoughts on the upcoming season of GTWCE for Ferrari:
“I am sure that next year we will be able to fight for the title".
Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO
Much more than an iconic car, the Vantage GT3 EVO is to set new standards in terms of performance and reliability. A few teams decided to run this emblematic car this season with the release of the brand-new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO, that is the result of a terrific collaboration between Aston Martin Racing (AMR) and Aston Martin Performance Technologies (AMPT).They aim to replicate their finest achievement, securing a P1 at the 2019 24 Hours of Spa, with this innovative car. Considered to be a groundbreaking evolution for Aston Martin, the new Vantage GT3 EVO is made to help Aston Martin in both endurance racing and road car development:
"The GT racing programme will serve as a development lab that will lead to an increasing transfer of knowledge and approach into future Aston Martin road cars.”
Rookies & graduates from other series
Not only does the championship provide a thrilling experience for professionals, but it also sets the ground for emerging talents, in the likes of: Sebastian Ogaard, David Vidales and so on. The rookies of GTWC bring a fresh energy and excitement to the series, as they start a new chapter in their racing career. GT3 can be challenging for some of the inexperienced drivers, but it can also be seen as a learning path for the ones who would like to get into endurance racing.
David Vidales is grateful to drive for AF Corse and considers that GTWC is a great opportunity for him to showcase his skills:
“It is a great honour for me to wear the colours of such a prestigious and successful team as AF Corse. I’m very grateful for this opportunity and I’m really looking forward to the start of the new season.”
Porsche will have three Pro cars on the grid this year driven by a few graduates from the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup: Laurin Heinrich, Dorian Boccolacci and Dylan Pereira. The Porsche factory drivers are ready for action and willing to fight at the top. There is no doubt regarding their talent; taking for example Boccolacci, who made a few appearances in GTWC in the past few years and managed to claim a podium in the Pro-AM class without much experience in proper endurance racing.
With all of that being said, keep a close eye on this exciting season of GTWC!
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