The GT3 Revival Series made a nostalgic debut at Circuit Paul Ricard, with Ferrari 458 Italia GT3s claiming victory in both races of the inaugural weekend celebrating 20 years of GT3 racing. Jim Pla and Jean-Luc Beaubélique triumphed in Race 1 for Akkodis ASP Team’s Storic and Race Cars division, before Benjamin Ricci completed the Ferrari double in Race 2 — delivering a dream start for the new historic GT3 series in front of a 28-car field of iconic machinery.

Race 1: Jim Pla leads home Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 1-2 victory

The #10 Ferrari of Benjamin Ricci led from the start, immediately pulling clear of Heiko Neumann’s #65 Team Motopark Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3.

After the pitstops, the sister #87 Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 of Jim Pla and Jean-Luc Beaubélique moved up to second. Pro driver Pla methodically reeled solo driver Benjamin Ricci before being waved through for the lead. The pair then circulated together to the flag, sealing a one-two for Storic and Race Cars.

Jonathan Mitchell completed the podium aboard the screaming #7 Scott Sport Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3.

Race 2: Ricci strikes back for second Ferrari win

Jim Pla again set the early pace, leading from pole in the #87 Storic and Race Cars Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 before handing over at the pitstops. The Frenchman had quickly pulled clear of fellow Pro Álvaro Parente in the #47 Leopard Racing Team Quinntech Audi R8 LMS Ultra GT3, while the Portuguese driver came under pressure from Jonathan Mitchell’s #7 Aston Martin and Benjamin Ricci’s #10 Ferrari.

Success penalties at the pitstops dropped Benjamin Ricci 28 seconds behind new leader Jean-Luc Beaubélique in the #87 Ferrari — but the gap was wiped out when the safety car bunched up the field to recover the stranded #3 Spark Motorsport Audi R8 LMS GT3 of Nico Coquin, handing Ricci a lifeline at the restart.

The two lapped cars between the Ferraris were quickly dispatched, and with Beaubélique visibly under pressure and running wide on several occasions, Ricci seized the lead with three minutes remaining. Mitchell then capitalised on the #87’s struggles to snatch second place, completing a dramatic final podium shake-up.

Photos by Erwan Séité