Tough 3 Hours of Monza for 296 GT3s

The 3 Hours of Monza, round two of the GT World Challenge Europe – Endurance Cup, concluded with a fourth-place finish in the Bronze Cup for the crew of Jef and Louis Machiels, alongside official driver Andrea Bertolini, in the Italian driver’s final career race. At the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, the 296 GT3s were unable to fully showcase their potential, as they were forced to play a supporting role due to Balance of Performance restrictions. 

Although classified, the two AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors Pro class entries did not take the chequered flag, whereas the other Ferraris competing in the Bronze Cup finished between ninth and thirteenth in class.

Pro Class. The number 51 car, crewed by official drivers Alessio Rovera and Alessandro Pier Guidi alongside Vincent Abril, delivered a consistent performance despite the challenges of the Lombardy circuit. Thanks to a strong qualifying effort, which included Rovera posting the fastest time in the opening session, they started from eighth on the grid. They remained in contention for a top-ten finish throughout the race. Unfortunately, around the two-hour mark, Vincent Abril made contact with another car while entering the pits, forcing the number 51 to retire. The second AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors entry, the number 50 driven by official drivers Antonio Fuoco and Arthur Leclerc alongside Eliseo Donno, was also forced to retire less than ten minutes from the chequered flag due to an issue caused by delamination of the left rear tyre.

Bronze Cup. Official driver Andrea Bertolini narrowly missed a podium finish in the Ferrari 296 GT3, number 52 of AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors, which he shared with Jef and Louis Machiels. The crew secured fourth place, bringing an end to Bertolini’s 25-year racing career, which includes ten international titles. Kessel Racing’s number 74 car, crewed by Dustin Blattner, Dennis Marschall, and Conrad Laursen, finished in ninth place, while the team’s second entry – number 8, driven by Nicolò Rosi, Niccolò Schirò, and David Fumanelli, came in 11th. The Ferrari number 93 of Ziggo Sport Tempesta Racing, piloted by Chris Froggatt, Eddie Cheever III, and Jonathan Hui, finished 12th, just ahead of the Rinaldi Racing entry with official driver Davide Rigon alongside Christian Hook and David Perel.

The calendar: With the Italian round of the championship now complete, the next event in the GT World Challenge Europe – Endurance Cup will be the year’s most eagerly anticipated race, the 24 Hours of Spa, from 25 to 29 June.