STRONG FULL SEASON ENTRY LIST DEMONSTRATES CONTINUED SUCCESS OF GT WORLD CHALLENGE EUROPE

Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS has unveiled its full-season entry lists for 2022, with competitive grids confirmed for both the Sprint Cup and Endurance Cup formats.

The announcement came during the series’ official test days at Circuit Paul Ricard, where the majority of this year’s contenders are on-track preparing for the opening race at Imola (1-3 April).  

Now entering its 12th year of competition, the Endurance Cup has attracted an expanded 52-car grid to contest its five-round championship, while a significant number of additions are expected at the marquee TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa (28-31 July). The Sprint Cup will feature 25 full-season cars, maintaining the same standard as in 2021. 

The nine brands that competed last year will be on-track once again in 2022. German marques Audi, BMW, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche remain well represented, as do iconic Italian supercar manufacturers Ferrari and Lamborghini. There is a strong British contingent, too, with Aston Martin, Bentley and McLaren all part of the entry list. These are the teams that will compete for glory this season. 

ASTON MARTIN

Beechdean AMR returns with two-car Endurance Cup programme

2 Endurance Cup entries 

The Beechdean AMR name returns to Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS this season for the first time since 2014, with the longstanding Aston Martin partner set to field two Endurance Cup entries. This will represent the first time that the British outfit has run a pair of GT3 cars internationally, with team boss Andrew Howard the first of its confirmed drivers for 2022.

AUDI

Ingolstadt firm best-represented brand in Sprint and Endurance with new R8 LMS Evo II GT3

12 Endurance Cup entries | 11 Sprint Cup entries

Audi has expanded to become the best represented brand in both the Sprint and Endurance Cups this year. Team WRT has launched an unprecedented five-car full-season assault, which includes Valentino Rossi making his hotly anticipated switch to GT racing, while Saintéloc Racing, Attempto Racing and Tresor by Car Collection will all field a pair of cars in both disciplines. The brand’s line-up is complemented by Boutsen Racing, which is a new addition to the stable with its Endurance Cup programme.

BENTLEY

Popular British manufacturer remains on-track in 2022 with CMR

1 Endurance Cup entry

French squad CMR will continue to fly the flag for Bentley this season. Charly Bourachot’s team has produced a number of strong results since switching to the Continental GT3 in 2020 and will look to add more success to the popular machine’s sporting history this term. CMR will compete in the Endurance Cup with a line-up that features paraplegic racer Nigel Bailly, who participates using specially modified hand controls. 

BMW

German marque enters 2022 with new M4 GT3 model

2 Endurance Cup entries

Among the most hotly anticipated aspects of the 2022 season is the arrival of a brand-new BMW. The striking M4 GT3 will be represented by ROWE Racing, which returns to the series with a pair of Pro line-ups. The German squad will be particularly focussed on earning BMW a record-extending 25th overall triumph at the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa, having given the previous-generation M6 GT3 victory on its Ardennes debut in 2016.

FERRARI

Maranello brand looking to continue run of Endurance Cup success

5 Endurance Cup entries | 2 Sprint Cup entries

Ferrari has enjoyed a phenomenal run of recent success, including last year’s Endurance Cup drivers’ title and TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa victory thanks to Iron Lynx. The team will once again deploy a pair of Pro line-ups in the Endurance Cup this term, while the all-female Iron Dames squad will tackle the Gold Cup class. Ferrari has further Endurance representation from a pair of AF Corse cars, both of which will also tackle the Sprint Cup. 

LAMBORGHINI

New and returning teams among strong Lamborghini contingent

9 Endurance Cup entries | 1 Sprint Cup entry

Lamborghini remains a popular choice this season. Series newcomer GSM Novamarine will ensure representation in the Sprint Cup, while the brand’s Endurance bid will be led by a pair of Pro cars from Emil Frey Racing. Lamborghini retains strong class representation thanks to Barwell Motorsport, AGS, Vincenzo Sospiri Racing and Leipert Motorsport, while Emil Frey Racing will also return to the Silver Cup in search of a third Endurance crown.

MCLAREN

British marque expands Endurance and Sprint presence for 2022

6 Endurance Cup entries | 4 Sprint Cup entries

McLaren’s presence has grown for a third year in succession, with six crews competing in the Endurance Cup and four entries gunning for Sprint glory. Garage 59 has returned to the British marque and will run a pair of full-season cars, while JOTA and JP Motorsport will also tackle the complete schedule. The latter is set to add a second Pro car for the Endurance Cup, while Inception Racing further bolsters the McLaren contingent in the long-distance championship. 

MERCEDES-AMG

German powerhouse retains strong presence on 2022 grid

11 Endurance Cup entries | 5 Sprint Cup entries

Mercedes-AMG will be out in force this year thanks to 11 Endurance Cup entries and five cars chasing Sprint Cup glory. AKKA ASP remains its biggest representative across both formats, while Sky Tempesta Racing joins the stable for a full-season effort. Further Endurance Cup programmes from HRT, Winward Racing, GetSpeed, SPS automotive performance and Madpanda Motorsport ensure that the marque will be a major contender in 2022. 

PORSCHE

Stuttgart firm to challenge for Sprint and Endurance glory

4 Endurance Cup entries | 2 Sprint Cup entries

Porsche will once again feature in the battle for overall and class honours in 2022. Dinamic Motorsport has established itself among the brand’s leading representatives in recent years and will look to enhance that reputation further with its pair of full-season cars. They will be joined at Endurance Cup events by two more of the Stuttgart firm’s machines, with proven Porsche representatives Allied Racing and Herberth Motorsport also contesting the long-distance championship. 

Stephane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO: “I am very happy to present such competitive and diverse entry lists for the 2022 Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS season. We are pleased to have a solid 25 cars confirmed for the Sprint Cup, while the Endurance Cup is back to its very best with more than 50 full-season cars and many strong line-ups. With several crews still to be confirmed we are awaiting the final numbers competing in each class, but I think we can already say that the Gold Cup has been a very successful addition in Endurance, while the Silver Cup grid has grown again. I am proud that this series continues to attract such strong and consistent grids, despite the challenges of the past two years. Now, with these exciting entry lists and the arrival of Valentino Rossi, we look forward to welcoming public back to all of our events in 2022. The sight of more than 50 cars taking the start at Imola next month is something to really look forward to.” 

Source. SRO Motorsports Group