The GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing Club will make its long-awaited return to Zandvoort next weekend (May 16-18), with a 43-car field ready to do battle in the dunes.
The series last visited the seaside venue in 2021, and given the strong Dutch contingent of both competitors and fans across its history, the return to Zandvoort is set to be a popular one.
The grid includes 10 world-class manufacturers being operated by 26 teams, and drivers from 26 different nationalities. The GT4 European Series will play a key role in supporting the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup, which itself boasts a 41-strong field of GT3 cars. The addition of the GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli completes a festival of GT racing and a weekend not to be missed for supercar fans.
SILVER: TOYOTA WINLESS, BUT AHEAD
Matmut Évolution drivers Hadrien David and Jan Duran made an eye-catching GT4 Europe debut, with their consistency at Circuit Paul Ricard handing them the early points advantage.
The Toyota GR Supra pair secured twin second places in France, giving them a slim lead over the first two race winners of the season. Benjamin Lariche and Robert Consani may have stolen Race 2 honours by just 0.076s in the #3 Team Speedcar Audi, but their tough opening race leaves them three points behind in second.
Academy Motorsport made a piece of history by scoring the first GT4 Europe win for the new Ford Mustang with Erik Evans and Marco Signoretti victorious in the first race of the year. They run third, seven points back from the Toyota crew.
Home hero Ricardo van der Ende and Benjamin Lessennes will be a threat in the L’Espace Bienvenue BMW, as will the twin Borusan Otomotiv M4s shared by Gabriele Piana/Berkay Besler and Yagiz Gedik/Pedro Ebrahim. Having scored a pole position at Circuit Paul Ricard, Gregory Guilvert and Paul Petit will be ones to watch in their Team Speedcar Audi, especially as Guilvert was a double podium finisher last time the series raced at Zandvoort. With 22 cars, Silver continues to be the biggest class.
PRO-AM: W&S LEADS BY THE SLIMMEST MARGIN
The tightest winning margin in series history helped put W&S Motorsport drivers Hendrik Still and Joachim Bölting at the top of the Pro-Am points, with just 0.002s making the difference for the Porsche crew.
A time penalty cost them a shot at a class win in the opening race though, meaning their championship lead is not as comfortable as it could have been. The car they beat in that thrilling second race runs second, with Joakim Walde and Victor Bouveng keen for revenge in their Schubert Motorsport BMW, just four points behind.
Viny Beltramelli and Nicco Ferrarin showed their potential by winning the first outing of the year in their JSB Competition Porsche, but a non-score in Race 2 leaves them with ground to make up in third. Also watch for Stanislav Safronov/Aleksandr Vaintrub (Mirage Racing Aston Martin), Andy Cantu/Miguel Cristovão (NM Racing Team Mercedes-AMG), Mathieu Detry/Fabian Duffieux (AV Racing Porsche), the Lotus Emira of Stefano D’Aste/Alberto Naska (PB Racing) and Cindy Gudet/Gabriela Jilkova in the all-female Matmut Évolution Toyota. The return of the Nova Racing Porsche (Edvin Hellsten/Daniel Nilsson) completes the 13-car entry.
AM: CHAZEL AT THE DOUBLE
Chazel Technologie Course drivers Antoni de Barn and Jean-Mathieu Leandri proved unbeatable at Circuit Paul Ricard, taking both class wins aboard their BMW M4 GT4 Evo to grab an early points lead.
NM Racing Team Mercedes-AMG drivers Igor Sorokin and Keith Gatehouse lead the chase but have work to do to close the 24-point gap. Philippe Thalamy and Julien Rippert are right behind in their Team Speedcar Audi with Toyota Gazoo Racing Sweden’s father-and-son Mikael and Christoffer Brunnhagen keen to build on their two fourth places so far. Reigning Pro-Am champion Max Kronberg and new team-mate Daniel Blickle will be on a charge after suffering a retirement in Race 2, as will Indian acting superstar Ajith Kumar in his AV Racing Porsche.
Action for the GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing Club at Zandvoort begins on Friday, May 16 with Free Practice (12:10) and Pre-Qualifying (16:20). Saturday has Qualifying (11:05) and Race 1 (17:30) before Race 2 on Sunday (12:10). Qualifying and both races will be shown live on the GT World YouTube channel, with all sessions featuring live timing on the official website.