#BlancpainGT – Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG commit to global Blancpain GT World Challenge
With the first round of the 2019 Blancpain GT World Challenge taking part at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend, SRO Motorsports Group is pleased to announce that Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG represented at all rounds of the full 18-event calendar will be competing for the inaugural Blancpain GT World Challenge title.
As previously announced, each manufacturer may nominate four drivers competing in each of the three continental Challenges, namely the seven-round Blancpain GT World Challenge America, the six rounds of the Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia, and the five rounds of the Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe, to make up a team of 12 drivers who will score points towards each manufacturers’ score.
The four drivers competing for each Brand on each continent, of whom three must hold a passport from those countries, must include at least one Bronze driver and a maximum of one Platinum driver. The drivers may compete in any of the GT3 categories, either sharing cars or racing for separate teams. The points they score will be multiplied by the number of cars competing in their category, to give a representative total over the season.
For the 2019 Blancpain GT World Challenge America, Ferrari will be represented by Toni Vilander (Platinum, Finland), Jeff Segal (Gold, USA), Martin Fuentes (Silver, Mexico) and Christopher Cagnazzi (Bronze, USA). Mercedes-AMG’s four drivers will be Maxi Buhk (Platinum, Germany), JC Perez (Silver, Colombia), David Askew (Bronze, USA) and George Kurtz (Bronze, USA).
The drivers for the other continents will be announced in due course.
Antonello Coletta, Head of Ferrari Attività Sportive GT: “I believe that over the past few years, SRO has worked very well to create a world-class platform for the GT3 category, which is one of the key elements of Ferrari strategy. Ferrari has always been able to count on owners who race on all continents and it was therefore natural to involve some of them in the Blancpain GT World Challenge project. We are aware that we will be up against some very strong opposition, but we know we have customers, teams and drivers who are prepared to fight for the very best results.”
Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing: “I do like the idea to have Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing drivers from 3 continents to score points for the manufacturer‘s trophy a lot. What can be more exciting than a fair and worldwide competition with an iconic brand like Ferrari?“
Stephane Ratel, Founder and CEO of SRO Motorsports Group: “ I’m delighted that Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG have confirmed their interest for the inaugural Blancpain GT World Challenge season. I’m convinced that the exciting competition during the year will encourage more manufacturers to compete on all three markets in 2020. The promising development of the entry lists on the three continents give us great confidence for the future of this new global Series.”
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The first two 90’ races of the Blancpain GT World Challenge America season kick off this weekend with an encouraging entry list of 23 cars. Live via https://world-challenge.com
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Blancpain – Innovation is our Tradition
Since 1735, Blancpain has been contributing to the development of mechanical watchmaking, while conserving the traditional skills of its founder
Blancpain is currently engaged to the renewal of mechanical watchmaking and to passing on exceptional expertise from one generation to the next through constant investment in human resources, production facilities and research. This approach is its strength and the expression of our long-term vision, even though it goes against the tide of a certain tendency to seek immediate profit.
From the creation of components through to watch design, Blancpain is distinguished by its ability to develop exceptional movements. Through its various models, Blancpain preserves its heritage of precision and elegance, while also displaying an innovative and occasionally provocative spirit. Its range encompasses the sportive Levolution line, the legendary Fifty Fathoms diver’s watch, as well as the classic Villeret collection, the high complication from Le Brassus collection and the Women models.
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Pirelli – Official Tyre Supplier
Pirelli is a tyre manufacturer and world leader in the automotive industry. It has an exclusive relationship with over 50 racing series worldwide, including Formula One.
Pirelli has a long and illustrious history in endurance racing, and has also claimed a huge variety of class wins in GT racing all over the world. The design of the new Pirelli GT tyres meets the needs of GT racing while maintaining the performance characteristics that endurance drivers have appreciated in the past.The slick tyres used for GT racing are branded Zero: just like the slicks that have become a central feature of Formula One. The name P Zero is used in the highest categories of motorsport such as GT racing.
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SRO Motorsports Group – The global leader in GT racing
With more than 25 years’ experience at the forefront of a continuously evolving industry, SRO Motorsports Group is the established international leader in GT racing.
Best known for the development and implementation of the GT3 and GT4 regulations, SRO promotes and organises championships that embrace professional and amateur competitors. Its portfolio of highly regarded series spans Europe, America and Asia, while its flagship Intercontinental GT Challenge features events on five different continents.
The 2019 season will see more than 100 races run under the SRO Motorsports Group banner, highlighted by the prestigious Total 24 Hours of Spa. In addition to promotion and organisation, the company operates SRO Race Centre by MMC – a high-level technical centre at Circuit Paul Ricard – and provides the ultimate driving opportunities at world-renowned facilities through Curbstone Track Events.
SRO Motorsports Group is chaired by company founder and CEO Stephane Ratel. With offices in London, Paris, Liège and Hong Kong, its work is facilitated by a dedicated global team of full-time and freelance staff.
Combining a passion for performance with industry-leading experience, SRO is ready to play a key role in shaping the future of international GT racing.
