Seven Ferrari 296 GT3s at Monza for GT WC Europe

The Autodromo Nazionale Monza will host round two of the GT World Challenge Europe – Endurance Cup season from 31 May to 1 June. Seven Ferrari 296 GT3s will take to the historic circuit, completing an entry list of 59 crews – the largest since 2013 – to contest the three-hour race.

As in last season’s edition of the event at the Temple of Speed, teams will once again be required to complete a mandatory third pit stop.

Pro Class. The two cars fielded by AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors in the Pro class are poised to bounce back after a challenging start at Paul Ricard, where they finished off the podium. Ferrari official drivers Antonio Fuoco and Arthur Leclerc will be in the number 50 car alongside Eliseo Donno, the winner of the 2023 Ferrari Challenge Europe Trofeo Pirelli. Vincent Abril will join official drivers Alessio Rovera and Alessandro Pier Guidi in the number 51. Both crews, consisting of professional drivers, will compete in the overall Endurance Cup standings.

Bronze Class. Dustin Blattner, Dennis Marschall and Conrad Laursen arrive at the Lombardy circuit at the top of the standings with 33 points, fresh from their victory in France in the opening round of the season in the Ferrari 296 GT3 number 74 of Kessel Racing. The Swiss team will also field a second car, the number 8, crewed by David Fumanelli, Niccolò Schirò and Nicolò Rosi, who arrive after a strong performance at Paul Ricard, where they finished third in class.

In the Bronze Cup, the number 12 Ferrari from Rinaldi Racing will line up with Ferrari official driver Davide Rigon alongside Christian Hook and David Perel, while Ziggo Sport Tempesta Racing’s number 93 entry will feature Chris Froggatt, Eddie Cheever III and Marco Pulcini.

The 296 GT3 number 52 of AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors completes the Ferrari line-up, with Louis and Jef Machiels joined by Andrea Bertolini, who will conclude his extraordinary motorsport career on Sunday at Monza.

The 5.793-kilometre Italian circuit will be the stage for the Maranello manufacturer’s 51-year-old Development Driver’s final competitive outing, marking the conclusion of a career that saw him claim ten international titles at the wheel of Ferrari’s production-derived racing cars. The most recent title was secured in 2022 when he won the Pro-Am class title in the GT WC Europe – Endurance Cup.

The programme. Proceedings kick off on Friday, 30 May, with the Bronze Test (5-6 p.m.), followed on Saturday by Free Practice from 10.10 a.m. to 12.10 p.m. Pre-Qualifying will take place from 3.30 to 4.30 p.m. Qualifying is scheduled for Sunday, 1 June, from 9.50 to 10.50 a.m. and will determine the starting grid for the three-hour race, which starts at 3 p.m.