The GT4 European Series returns to the Circuit Paul Ricard this weekend for the first time since 2015. A 42-car field representing 12 constructors is set to compete in the third round of the season. At Paul Ricard, the GT4 European Series will support the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup for the second time this season.
Some of the GT4 European Series teams have changed their line-ups for the French weekend, one team will bring a new car to the South of France, whilst four teams will make their first GT4 European Series start of the season in Le Castellet.
EQUIPE VERSCHUUR DUO LEADS SILVER CUP AHEAD OF ROUND 3
After the opening events at Monza and Brands Hatch Equipe Verschuur McLaren drivers Daniel McKay and Benjamin Lessennes lead the championship with 73 points. Leipert Motorsport drivers Jan Kisiel and Max Koebolt are currently second with their Mercedes-AMG GT4, ahead of Reinhard Kofler and Patric Niederhauser in the True Racing KTM X-Bow GT4.
They are only three entrants in the 18-car strong Silver Cup field this weekend. Team Speedcar’s Robert Consani and Benjamin Lariche will join the GT4 European Series teams at Paul Ricard with their Alpine A110 GT4.
Team GT’s Charlie Fagg and Michael Benyahia will return to the series after skipping the Brands Hatch round, while Phoenix Racing, PROsport Performance, Street Art Racing, Academy Motorsport, Ekris Motorsport, MDM Motorsport, NM Racing Team, Valvoline – True Racing and CMR will have unchanged line-ups. Selleslagh Racing Team will enter two Mercedes-AMG GT4 in the Silver Cup this weekend.
SIXTEEN CARS TO BATTLE FOR PRO-AM HONOURS
In the Pro-Am class Leipert Motorsport drivers Luci Trefz and Marcus Paverud will seek to extend their points lead, but in order to do that they will have to beat RN Vision STS drivers Marius Zug and Gabriele Piana, as well as 14 other teams.
Turkish team Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport will give Red Bull Racing Esports driver Cem Bolukbasi the opportunity to make his GT4 European Series debut at Paul Ricard. The 21-year-old will share the BMW M4 GT4 with experienced racer Ibrahim Okyay.
Allied Racing’s Jan Kasperlik and Nic Schöll will return after missing the second round of the season at Brands Hatch, whilst Generation AMR SuperRacing has received its new Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4, which will be raced by the team’s regular drivers Matthew George and James Holder.
The V8 Racing Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R is also set to return at Paul Ricard. Duncan Huisman is set to be joined by his long-time co-driver Luc Braams, who missed Brands Hatch as he recovered from surgery. Swiss team Centri Porsche Ticino will make its GT4 European Series debut with a new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS MR for Ivan Jacoma and Max Busnelli.
CMR, Schwede Motorsport, Bullitt Racing, Redele Competition, Academy Motorsport and W&D Racing Team complete the Pro-Am field.
AM CATEGORY SEES MAJOR BOOST OF ENTRIES
The Am class will see an increased entry, with eight cars set to compete in the class this weekend. Monza race winners Jean-Luc Behets and Johan Vannerum are back with their Mercedes-AMG GT4 after missing Brands Hatch, while FFSA GT – GT4 France regulars IMSA Performance will join the series at Paul Ricard. The French squad will enter an Audi for Michael Blanchemain and Franck Leherpeur.
There is also a second McLaren 570S GT4 in the Am category this weekend, courtesy of Christian Danner, Bernhard Laber and the Team GT squad. A guest start for the eSky WP Racing Team Maserati GranTurismo MC GT4 of Lukasz Kreski and Maciej Marcinkiewicz brings the number of constructors racing at Paul Ricard to 12.
Liesette Braams and Gaby Uljee are planning to race together again in the Las Moras by Equipe Verschuur McLaren, whilst Önder Erdem joins Dominik Albert in the razoon – more than racing KTM. Street Art Racing and CMR will have unchanged line-ups in France.
BUSY WEEKEND AHEAD AT PAUL RICARD
The GT4 European Series weekend at Paul Ricard kicks off early, with a non-mandatory test session taking place on Thursday between 13:00 and 17:00. On Friday, two 60-minute free practice sessions will take place, beginning at 11:10 and 14:50. Qualifying for the two races is scheduled for Saturday morning 9:00, followed by the first race at 14:10. The second race will start at 11:30 on Sunday morning.
LIVE COVERAGE
The two GT4 European Series races at Circuit Paul Ricard will be streamed live on the GT4 European Series website, Facebook page and YouTube channel, as well SRO’s GT World Youtube channel. Both races will have English and German commentary.
PAUL RICARD SCHEDULE
Thursday, 30 May
13.00 – 17.00: Paid Test Session
Friday, 31 May
11.10 – 12.10: Free Practice 1
14.50 – 15.50: Free Practice 2
Saturday, 1 June
9.00 – 9.50: Qualifying (20’/10’/20′)
14.10 – 15.10: Race 1
Sunday, 2 June
11.30 – 12.30: Race 2
Source. SRO Motorsports Group
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