Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe – Endurance Cup battle resumes as Fanatec GT Europe plots a course for the Nürburgring

Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS continues a busy run of action this weekend (26–28 July) when a 50-car grid assembles for a three-hour Endurance Cup race at the Nürburgring.

The annual trip to the Eifel mountains comes just a few days after the series contested its third Sprint Cup event of the season at Hockenheim and less than a month after the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa celebrated its centenary edition. Nine manufacturers are represented among the contenders, with competitive entries in the Pro, Gold Cup Silver Cup and Bronze Cup classes.

PRO: Comtoyou Racing riding high after sensational Spa victory
It is impossible to discuss this weekend’s race without recalling what happened one month ago at Spa-Francorchamps. Comtoyou Racing secured victory for Aston Martin in truly dramatic fashion, moving into the lead less than an hour from the finish when the #51 AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors Ferrari was blocked at the pit entrance by a broken-down car.

The result sent the #7 Comtoyou Racing crew of Thiim/Sørensen/Drudi to the top of the Endurance Cup standings, though the #51 Ferrari line-up of Pier Guidi/Rigon/Rovera remain firmly in the fight. They will be joined by the sister #71 AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors entry, while a second Aston Martin comes from Walkenhorst Motorsport.

BMW also performed well at Spa and looks set to be part of the title battle. ROWE Racing won the season opener with its #998 trio of Harper/Hesse/Farfus, who are second in the standings ahead of this weekend’s event. The sister #98 was an early retirement at Spa but is another clear contender for victory on home ground. Team WRT earned a podium at the 24 Hours thanks to an excellent run from its #32 crew of Vanthoor/Weerts/Van der Linde, while the sister #46 BMW of Rossi/Martin/Marciello will hope to rebound after its assault came apart on Sunday morning.

Lamborghini enjoyed a strong showing at Spa, with Grasser Racing setting a record-breaking time in Superpole and battling back from adversity to finish the race in fifth. The #163 crew of Perera/Mapelli/Pepper should be a factor this weekend, while fellow Lamborghini squad Iron Lynx can also challenge for the win. Notably, the Italian marque’s last overall triumph came at the Nürburgring in 2021.

Mercedes-AMG won the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa in 2022 and was runner-up last year, but its Pro cars were not in the fight for victory at the centenary edition. Nevertheless, it is likely to be a serious player for the remainder of the Endurance Cup campaign thanks entries from Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter, Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed, and Boutsen VDS. The German marque also earned its most recent win at the Nürburgring, capturing victory last season.

Spa was similarly frustrating for Porsche, though the Rutronik Racing line-up of Niederhauser/Müller/Andlauer deserves praise for its fightback to finish ninth at the chequered flag. Schumacher CLRT and Pure Rxcing will also field the 911 GT3 R this weekend, the latter having produced a strong run at Spa before exiting in dramatic fashion on Sunday morning.

Garage 59 (#159 McLaren) and Proton Competition (#64 Ford) finished outside the points at 24 Hours, though both went the distance and will be confident about their chances at the Nürburgring. Tresor Attempto Racing will tackle the event with its Audi, while series debutant Eastalent Racing will also field an R8 this weekend. The experienced Albert Costa will be joined by Karol Basz and debutant Simon Reicher, completing a 20-car Pro field.

BRONZE: AF Corse leads points standings, Tresor Attempto on a roll from Spa
One of the most impressive performances at this year’s CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa came from Tresor Attempto Racing, which sealed a commanding Bronze Cup victory and a hugely impressive 10th place overall. The #66 Audi line-up of Mukovoz/Pereira/Hofer will hope to maintain this form at the Nürburgring.

Though victory at Spa went to an Audi, the Bronze Cup standings are topped by a pair of Ferrari squads. The #52 AF Corse line-up of L.Machiels/J.Machiels/Bertolini holds the advantage after finishing second in the Ardennes, while Sky Tempesta Racing (Hui/Froggatt/Cheever) is not far behind. Frikadelli Racing will also field a Ferrari 296 in collaboration with Rinaldi Racing.

Porsche is represented by three German squads, with Lionspeed GP, Herberth Motorsport and Rutronik Racing targeting victory on home soil. McLaren can count on two Bronze Cup entries from Garage 59, while Comtoyou Racing and Walkenhorst Motorsport will compete with Aston Martin machinery.

BMW has two cars chasing class honours, with OQ By Oman Racing and Century Motorsport both fielding the M4 GT3. Barwell Motorsport was on the podium at Spa and has traditionally performed well at the Nürburgring; the British outfit will field a pair of Lamborghini entries, completing a Bronze Cup grid that counts 15 cars and seven manufacturers.

GOLD & SILVER: Mercedes-AMG crews in form after CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa
AlManar Racing by GetSpeed closed to within a single point of the Gold Cup lead by winning in style at Spa, finishing as the best Mercedes-AMG runner in seventh overall. The #777 trio of Al Zubair/Grenier/Baumann will now look to overhaul Saintéloc Racing, which remains on top with its #25 Audi crew of Evrard/Magnus/Pla following a runner-up finish in the Ardennes.

Having regularly shown good pace this year, CSA Racing will hope to earn a first Endurance Cup victory of 2024. The same can be said for fellow Audi squad Tresor Attempto Racing, particularly after a sensational Superpole performance from Lorenzo Patrese at Spa-Francorchamps. The #77 HRT Mercedes-AMG of Maini/Beretta/Owega completes this weekend’s Gold Cup field.

GetSpeed not only conquered the Gold Cup at Spa: the German squad also celebrated Silver Cup victory for its #3 Mercedes-AMG. Indeed, this was the only car to score maximum race points at this year’s event, sending its crew of Bartone/Kell/Mettler to the top of the standings.

But they’re by no means unchallenged. Fellow Mercedes-AMG squad Winward Racing scored victory at the season opener and finished third at Spa, leaving the trio of Arrow/Caresani/Sathienthirakul just six points behind the leaders. Boutsen VDS is also within striking distance, while the Mercedes-AMG line-up is further bolstered by Madpanda Motorsport

After taking a runner-up finish in the Ardennes, Dinamic GT will aim for more success with its #55 Porsche. Aston Martin squad Comtoyou Racing can count on a two-car entry, while Walkenhorst Motorsport also fields the British brand’s Vantage. Sainteloc Racing represents Audi, while Lamborghini stalwart Grasser Racing will hope to repeat the class win it secured at the Nürburgring last season.

TIMETABLE (CEST)
Friday 26 July
08.30–10.00: Paid Test Session 1
13.10–14.40: Paid Test Session 2
17.45–18.45: Bronze Test

Saturday 27 July
08.30–10.30: Free Practice
13.15–14.15: Pre-Qualifying

Sunday 28 July
08.45–09.45: Qualifying
15:00–18.00: Race

SUPPORT SERIES
• McLaren Trophy Europe (2x 50-minute races)
• Lamborghini Super Trofeo (2x 50-minute races)
• FFSA F4 French Championship (3x 20-minute +1 lap races)
• GT1 Sports Club by Curbstone (3x 25-minute track sessions)