Traditionally, the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Prologue takes place at the Circuit Paul Ricard (France).
On March 5 and 6 2024, a radiant sun (and the local Mistral wind) welcomed the 53 cars – representing 9 brands – that will participate in the Endurance and/or Sprint championships.
The newcomer 2 Seas Motorsport (#60 Mercedes-AMG) took the fastest lap, with 1m52.800s on Wednesday, just 0.030 ahead of the #998 BMW Rowe Racing. BMW (WRT, Rowe Racing) and Mercedes (2 Seas, Boutsen VDS, Getspeed) globally trusted the top laptimes of both sessions.
In any case, timing on a single lap is of relative importance: for the drivers and the teams, the Prologue is also an opportunity to assess their race pace over long runs (the #8 Kessel Ferrari has completed 263 laps over the two days!), and to fine-tune the pits crew organization. It also allow them to finalize or officially present their lineups.
The Prologue welcomed the new Ford Mustang GT3 and Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO… And the MotoGP ace Valentino Rossi, who is still in the party this year within the WRT BMW squad.
And now, let’s book the appointment for the first Endurance round, that will take place on the same Paul Ricard track, on 5/7 April!
Photos by Yann Séité
Please consider making a donation so we can keep bringing you our best content from the racetrack.
