GTWC Europe: Bronze test terminated prematurely after a major accident
Dustin Blattner took the fastest time in an extended bronze test in Monza. In time 1: 47,788 with the driver of the Kessel Racing team led Ferrari in the first two places and by 0.071 s surpassed the debutante series Thomas Kiefer, which was deployed in JMW.
The American, however, was not the fastest overall, because for the first time with cars competing in the GT2 European Series with Pirelli engines could participate in the bronze test. The first three seats were secured by Branden Oxley (NM Racing Mercedes-AMG), who defeated Jay Mo Härtling (SR Motorsport by Schnitzelam) in the first place.
Both of these riders have real ambitions to be on the starting grid of the GT World Challenge next year. They are enrolled in the SRO GT Academy GT2 Europe program, the winner of which will get a place in the endurance cup with the Mercedes-AMG team in 2027.
The third of the participants of the GT2 was the double champion of the Am Philippe Prette (LP Racing Maserati). The car suffered a serious accident in mid-training on the Parabolica track which caused significant damage to the barrier. Prette wasn't hurt, but the incident caused the test to end.
Third place between the participants of the GT World Challenge, Rinat Salikhov ended with Mercedes-AMG # 87 Winward Racing, followed by Carrie Schreiner (# 88 Trevor Attempto Racing Audi) and returning Jonathan Hui (# 93 Ziggo Sport Tempesta Racing Porsche). During training there were 16 GT3 cars on the track.