The 21‑year‑old Argentinian Ignacio Montenegro is competing in the GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS for the first time in his career after making his debut at Paul Ricard, driving the #30 BMW M4 GT3 for Team WRT. He moved to Europe three years ago and competed in various Touring Car Championships; now he is going for glory in the Silver Cup class and is set to drive his first 24‑hour race at the iconic Spa‑Francorchamps.

From Touring Cars to Silver Cup Leaders

The young driver started the season off strong in the Silver Cup class, finishing second in the 6 Hours of Paul Ricard and in the first sprint race at Brands Hatch. At the old‑school British circuit he started from pole within his class and from an impressive third overall. 

His first Silver Cup win didn’t take long either, as he crossed the line first in the second sprint race after starting from pole again. 

“The car was amazing, it was mega,” says the Team WRT driver with a big smile on his face. “I’m really happy, especially because the team have been working quite hard and because of my teammates. They’ve both helped me a lot. This performance is only because of them.” 

For the Argentinian it is his first time driving for Team WRT and in a GT3 car, having spent several years competing in Touring Car Championships driving the Honda Civic Type‑R FL5 TCR. 

“It’s totally different, especially top speed, aero, and the traction as well,” he explains to GT REPORT about driving the BMW M4 GT3. 

“It looks like it’s similar compared to a TCR car, but we have ABS, we have TC, we have more downforce for sure. More speed also. So everything that is new costs me quite some time to get used to.” 

Nevertheless, he leads the Silver Cup championship by 11 points, having scored 54.5 in total together with his two Belgian teammates. 

In both the Endurance and Sprint Cup he shares the car with 21‑year‑old Matisse Lismont, who is also making his debut for the team after moving from Steller Motorsport, where he drove the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R. 

23‑year‑old Amaury Cordeel is the third teammate and races only in the Endurance Cup. He is also new to the GT World Challenge Europe after making the jump from Formula 2.

Getting Ready for Spa’s Unpredictable Conditions

Despite early success, his biggest challenge is yet to come as the 24 Hours of Spa awaits him driving for the Belgium‑located team. 

“My expectation is just to be in the top. We are leading the championship and it’s really important we take a lot of points in our class.” 

But the BMW driver knows it’s going to be far from easy, as he is still getting used to everything. That’s why the Prologue before the big race feels extra important to him. 

“Sometimes it starts to rain, sometimes it stops. And you need to get used to it really quick, because it can happen every time here.” 

The well‑known mixed weather at the circuit in the Ardennes always plays a factor. “It’s tricky, especially in the fastest corners. I need to get confidence in wet conditions.” 

“I’m just watching the pro drivers, the data of them, and trying to analyse where they are faster than me and why,” he says, as he constantly looks for ways to improve himself and get the best out of his performance. 

“For me it’s one of the most important tests in the whole season.” 

The Silver Cup leader has his targets set and knows where the biggest challenge still lies for him. “Be competitive in the car, for sure. It will be my first double stint for the race, two hours in one car. So that is another thing that is new, and you have to be really focused for two hours. And then it comes to the night which is even more difficult.” 

But he doesn’t walk away from it. 

“I’m trying to be really strong on the pace,” he says, aiming for the highest spot in one of the most prestigious races in the world a racing driver can win.

Across the Globe for a Dream: “It Was Difficult”

To win such a race would make everyone back home in Argentina proud. He left his home country in 2023 at the age of 18. 

“I miss my family and my people from there, but it’s normal.” 

The South American‑born driver spent his first year in the north of Italy before moving to Valencia in Spain. 

“The first year it was difficult because of the culture, the food and the way people live. It took me quite a lot of time to get used to it.” 

But he kept his head high and pushed through that phase. Now he is living his best life. 

“It’s beautiful, I like Valencia and I have new friends here in Europe.” 

But to say he loves Spain more than the place he was born is impossible. 

“I love my country.” 

By taking such a risk and moving across the globe, he has his eyes set on one clear goal and is giving everything he can: 

“I want to become a pro driver. I want my dream to become true.”