 |
Revised class structure leads regulation changes for 2023 Fanatec GT Europe season
11.04.2023: • Updated structure harmonises class names with driver line-ups
• New wave-by and red flag rules among other changes for 2023
• CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa adjusts maximum drive to 11 hours
|
• Updated structure harmonises class names with driver line-ups
• New wave-by and red flag rules among other changes for 2023
• CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa adjusts maximum drive to 11 hours

The opening round of the 2023 Fanatec GT Europe season is just a week away, with Monza set to host a three-hour Endurance Cup race on 21-23 April.
The Italian event kicks off the traditional 10-round schedule which, as always, includes the marquee CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa (29 June–2 July). With record grids for the Ardennes classic and the Fanatec GT Sprint Cup, as well as a typically strong field in Endurance, a fantastic season is in store.
As ever there are several changes to the sporting regulations for the new campaign, the most significant being a revised class structure. With all cars conforming to GT3 regulations, Fanatec GT Europe classes are based on driver categorisation, and the changes implemented for 2023 will ensure that the class names are more consistent with driver line-ups.
There will be five categories at Fanatec GT Endurance Cup events: Pro, Gold Cup, Silver Cup, Bronze Cup and Pro-Am. In the Fanatec GT Sprint Cup, all five rounds will feature the Pro, Gold Cup and Silver Cup classes, while the Bronze Cup contenders will be present at Misano, Hockenheim and Valencia.
The Pro category remains unchanged from previous seasons, with no restrictions placed on the driver line-up (though a Pro crew is limited to three drivers at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa). It is worth remembering that, unlike the other classes, this is not a Cup: as such, Pro crews are only competing for the overall result.
Next, the Gold Cup. Though the name was used last year, this is in effect a new category. The maximum line-up in Endurance is Gold-Gold-Silver and Gold-Gold-Gold-Silver for the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. In Sprint, crews must be made up of one Gold and one Silver.
The class has been created in response to the number of Silver drivers recently upgraded to Gold. With crews primarily made up of aspiring professionals, we can expect the best performers to run towards the front of the overall order and perhaps even challenge for an outright podium finish.
The Silver Cup is unchanged for 2023. Whether it's Sprint or Endurance, driver line-ups must be composed entirely of Silver-ranked drivers. Based on the likely level of performance, we can expect the leading Silver runners to be mid-pack overall.
The Bronze Cup is set to be the biggest class in this season's Fanatec GT Endurance Cup and at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. While the name has been used previously for all-Bronze crews, this is effectively last year's Gold Cup category. A maximum line-up of Platinum-Silver-Bronze will be accepted in Endurance, while an extra Silver can be added at Spa. In Sprint, the maximum line-up is Platinum-Bronze.
In addition to a sizeable Endurance field, there will be a further 10 crews in the Fanatec GT Sprint Cup, with their season running over three rounds. There's added incentive for the Bronze Cup hopefuls this year, with the best-performing entry set to earn an automatic invite to the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours.
Pro-Am also remains unchanged from 2022, though the class will only run at Endurance events. As was the case last year there is a maximum line-up of Platinum-Bronze-Bronze, while an extra Platinum can be added at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.
Of course, adjustments to the class structure won't affect the racing. However, they will certainly be relevant to fans watching at the track or from home. The more logical naming structure should make them easier to understand and help viewers to enjoy the unique storylines that each class produces.
Further changes for 2023
A new wave-by procedure for the Fanatec GT Endurance Cup is also likely to play an important role this season. During a safety car period, any cars that are ahead of their class leader in the line will be allowed to overtake and join the back of the field, effectively giving them a lap back.
The rule will only be applied in Endurance and will come into play after the Full-Course Yellow period has finished. This could be especially important during the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, where losing a lap can effectively eliminate a potential overall winner.
There has also been a change to the maximum driving time at the marquee race. The upper limit has been lowered to 11 hours, down from 14 at previous editions, to bring Spa into line with other rounds of Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli. A minimum driving time of two hours has also been instituted when no upper limit is listed in the regulations.
The red flag procedures are to be harmonised across all Fanatec GT World events. This means that, at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, cars will no longer return to the pits in case of a red flag. Finally, teams running cars under different licences can now be considered as a single entity in terms of their pit management, allowing them to share refuelling rigs.
Those are the key developments for 2023. Indeed, with the entry lists revealed and the pre-season Prologue in the books, all that’s left to do now is go racing. With a 57-car field in prospect, this month’s trip to Monza promises to be the biggest season-opening grid since 2016.
Adelheid Terryn- photo SRO
Permanent-URL:
|
Peroni joins GetSpeed for GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup assault
10.03.2023
|
Alex Peroni will take on a new challenge for the 2023 season, having been announced as part of GetSpeed Performance’s Bronze Cup entry in the 2023 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. more >> |
Beretta in the GT World Challenge 2023 with Lamborghini and Iron Lynx
09.03.2023
|
Michele is pleased to announce that in the upcoming racing season he will be on track in the GT World Challenge Europe at the wheel of the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 in the EVO2 version lined up by Iron Lynx.On Huracán #19 wearing the Iron Lynx livery, more >> |
Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe different season entry lists at a glance
08.03.2023
|
The 2023 Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS season gets underway with a three-hour Endurance Cup race at Monza on 21–23 April, while the Sprint Cup campaign launches at Brands Hatch on 13–14 May. more >> |
Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS presents exceptional 2023 season entry lists
08.03.2023
|
° Record-breaking 40-car Fanatec GT Sprint Cup grid featuring eight brands° Fanatec GT Endurance Cup at full strength with 56 entries° Prologue underway at Circuit Paul Ricard ahead of season opener at Monza on 21–23 April more >> |
Mercedes-AMG Team AlManar Racing by GetSpeed brings a Pro car to the GTWC grid
07.03.2023
|
Mercedes-AMG Team AlManar Racing by GetSpeed 2023 will compete in the Endurance classification of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS with a top-class driver trio. In the colours of the recently established partnership between more >> |
Nova Race Hondas ready to enter GT3 showcase series
27.02.2023
|
Italian team to join Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup fielding two NSX GT3 Evo2: young guns Jacopo Guidetti, Leonardo Moncini and Erwin Zanotti, Diego Di Fabio commit to share driving duties In 2023 Nova Race will join the top in more >> |
Comtoyou Racing embarks in force on the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe
09.02.2023
|
• Three Audi R8 LMS GT3 cars for the entire season of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe • Sébastien Breuil confirmed as GT Department Manager• Cars in different categories: Pro, Silver and possibly Bronze Cup more >> |
Alberto Di Folco with Boutsen VDS in 2023 GT World Challenge Europe
19.11.2022
|
Alberto Di Folco will take part in the GT World Challenge Europe next year. The Roman driver will take on this commitment with a top-ranked team like Boutsen VDS, born from the union between Boutsen and Di Folco's partner Marc VDS - ready to return to GT, which will line up the Audi R8 LMS Evo II. more >> |
Al-Manar Racing's Al-Zubair, Schiller and Jeffries finish fourth at season race finale in Barcelona
04.10.2022
|
Barcelona – 3hrsFanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS – Endurance Cup October 1-2, 2022Oman’s Al-Faisal Al-Zubair, German team-mate Fabian Schiller and Zimbabwe’s Axcil Jeffri more >> |
Drivers’ and teams’ titles for Mercedes-AMG in GT World Challenge Europe by AKKODIS ASP
04.10.2022
|
In a gripping Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS season finale that remained open until the end, Mercedes-AMG Team AKKODIS ASP has secured the Endurance Cup drivers’ and teams’ titles. At Circuit de Bacelona-Catalunya, fifth place for Jules Gounon (FRA), Daniel Juncadella (ESP) and Raffaele Marciello (SUI) with the #88 Mercedes-AMG GT3 was enough to achieve more >> |
Tresor by Car Collection ends its maiden season in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS at the feet of the podium in the Teams’ classification
04.10.2022
|
Tresor by Car Collection completed its debut season in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS in Barcelona (ESP) securing fourth place in the Teams’ classification.
The Italian team fielded the two Audi R8 LMS GT3 more >> |
Jordan Love's campaign concludes in Barcelona
04.10.2022
|
BARCELONA - GT WORLD CHALLENGE EUROPE ENDURANCE CUP
• The 2022 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup came to an end at Barcelona for Jordan and teammates Jannes Fittje and Alain Valente in the #4 Haupt Ra more >> |
Isaac Tutumlu performs well at GTWC's season finale
03.10.2022
|
The Spaniard of Kurdish heritage completed a solid final round of the 2022 GT World Challenge Endurance Cup, which took place at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in his Leipert Motorsport-run Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo in Kurdistan Racing Team by Tigris colors. Tutumlu, more >> |
Akkodis ASP clinches Fanatec GT Endurance title double as Dinamic Motorsport Porsche wins dramatic Barcelona finale
02.10.2022
|
• Mercedes-AMG crew of Marciello/Gounon/Juncadella crowned champions after tense decider at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya• Dinamic Motorsport gives Porsche first Endurance Cup victory of 2022 more >> |
Jordan Love GT World Challenge Europe Barcelona preview
28.09.2022
|
GT WORLD CHALLENGE EUROPE ENDURANCE CUP CIRCUIT DE BARCELONA CATALUNYA
• Whilst the 2022 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup draws to an end it takes Jordan to Barcelona for the finale round of the season at Cir more >> |
Tresor by Car Collection in Barcelona for the closing act of season 2022
28.09.2022
|
Tresor by Car Collection’s debut season in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS reached its final act with the closing round of the Endurance Cup that will take place at the circuit of Montmelò (Barcelona, ESP) this coming weekend. more >> |
Al-Manar Racing's Al-Zubair, Schiller and Jeffries round off GT World Challenge season in Barcelona
28.09.2022
|
Barcelona – 3hrsFanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS – Endurance Cup October 1-2, 2022 Oman’s Al-Faisal Al-Zubair, German team-mate Fabian Schiller and Zimbabwe&rsqu more >> |
Isaac Tutumlu to bring the curtain down at home round in style
27.09.2022
|
The Spaniard of Kurdish will contest the final round of the 2022 GT World Challenge Endurance Cup at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which is his home round. Tutumlu will drive the Leipert Motorsport-run Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo in Kurd more >> |
Mercedes-AMG Motorsport celebrates early GT World Challenge Europe drivers’ title win
19.09.2022
|
Customer Racing: GT World Challenge Europe Sprint CupRaffaele Marciello (SUI) has secured an early drivers’ title during the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS race weekend at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia. In the f more >> |
Third title for Audi Sport drivers Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts
19.09.2022
|
Hat-trick in the GT World Challenge Europe
The two Audi Sport drivers Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts have won a title for the third time in a row at Valencia. After 2020 and 2021, the two Belgians with Team WRT have onc more >> |
Vanthoor and Weerts capture third successive Fanatec GT Sprint drivers’ crown
17.09.2022
|
....as De Pauw and Jean guide AF Corse Ferrari to victory at Valencia
• Title-winning Belgian duo make it three in a row thanks to third-place finish at Valencia•   more >> |
Top Five finish and class podiums in the GT World Challenge Europe at the Hockenheimring
07.09.2022
|
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup: Maro Engel, Steijn Schothorst and Luca Stolz finish in fourth place The early omens seemed anything but propitious for the Customer Racing teams at the penultimate race in the Endurance Cup of the GT World Challenge Europe more >> |
Nicolas Baert extremely close to the podium at Hockenheim
06.09.2022
|
After the disappointment at the 24 Hours of Spa, Nicolas Baert returned to the track this weekend at the Hockenheimring. During the fourth round of the Endurance Cup of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe, the Audi R8 LMS GT3 which the young Belgian shares with Aurélien Panis and César Gazeau took 4th place in the Silver Cup and 12th in the general classification. more >> |
Audi - Double victory at Hockenheim
05.09.2022
|
The Saintéloc Junior Team won the fourth round of the Fanatec GT World Challenge powered by AWS Endurance Cup at Hockenheim. The two Audi Sport drivers Christopher Mies and Patric Niederhauser shared the victorious number 25 Audi R8 LMS with Swiss privateer Lucas Légeret.
more >> |
Fifth place for Al-Zubair, Schiller and Jeffries at Hockenheim Fanatec 3h GT Challenge race
05.09.2022
|
Hockenheim 3hrs – Germany Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS – Endurance Cup September 2-4, 2022
Oman’s Al-Faisal Al-Zubair, German team more >> |
SPS Automotive Performance defends Championship lead at the Hockenheimring
05.09.2022
|
Second place for Valentin Pierburg (GER), Dominik Baumann (AUT) and Ian Loggie (GBR) at SPS automotive performance’s home event at the Hockenheimring was enough for the team to retain the championship lead in the Pro-Am class of the Endurance Cup within the Fanatec GT World Challenge pow more >> |
Tresor by Car Collection fights for the win in Hockenheim
05.09.2022
|
Tresor by Car Collection contested its best weekend yet in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup in Hockenheim, but a technical problem and a contact in the closing stages of the race prevented the Italian team to secure a strong result. more >> |
Wilkinson denied Hockenheim charge after JOTA McLaren suffers race-ending accident
05.09.2022
|
Ollie Wilkinson and the JOTA squad were denied the chance to battle for another Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS top-10 finish at Hockenheim after the #38 McLaren sustained a race-ending accident on the opening lap of the three-hour Endurance Cup encounter. more >> |
Saintéloc Junior Team leads home Audi one-two at Hockenheim - results
04.09.2022
|
...in action-packed Fanatec GT Endurance contest • Saintéloc Junior Team back on top with popular win for #25 Audi of Mies/Niederhauser/Légeret• Emil Frey Racing bags Silver Cup win with #14 Lamborghini of Lappalainen/White/Wishofer• Team W more >> |
Final push in title race for SPS Automotive Performance at home race in Hockenheim
31.08.2022
|
The penultimate race of this season’s Endurance Cup in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS sees SPS automotive performance enter the crucial phase in the race for the title. The Willsbach-based team goes into its home race at the Hockenheimring as the Pro-Am class leaders in the high-class SRO series. more >> |
Tresor by Car Collection’s season to resume from Hockenheim
30.08.2022
|
After the debut at the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa and the summer break, Tresor by Car Collection is gearing up to hit again the track for the closing part of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS’s campaign ahead of the fourth round of the Endurance Cup that will get underway in Hockenheim (GER) this weekend. more >> |
HRT to compete with three cars in penultimate GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup
30.08.2022
|
This weekend (2nd till 4th September), the fourth round of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup is on the schedule for Haupt Racing Team. The team from Meuspath will be on the grid with three cars when the lights go gree more >> |
GT World Challenge Europe Hockenheim entry list, timetable, stats and facts
26.08.2022
|
Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered AWSHockenheimring, Germany2-4 September 2022STATS & FACTS* Hockenheim will be the 10th circuit to stage a Fanatec Endurance race since the series was launched in 20 more >> |
Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered AWS kicks off decisive phase of 2022 season with maiden visit to Hockenheim
26.08.2022
|
• Title battles take centre stage at penultimate Fanatec Endurance contest • Field of 49 cars confirmed for first trip to 4.6 km German venue• Support race action and Fanatec Esports GT Pro Series complete busy weekend schedule more >> |
New Pro-Am McLaren Trophy championship to feature bespoke Artura race car at GT World Challenge Europe events in 2023
29.07.2022
|
New McLaren Trophy Championship will feature bespoke Artura race car, based on the Artura GT4 but with more power and downforce: the Artura Trophy McLaren Trophy places emphasis on challenging more >> |
Audi Sport drivers Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts dominate in Italy
05.07.2022
|
Unbeatable in Italy: Audi Sport drivers Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts put on a masterful display in the Fanatec GT World Challenge powered by AWS Sprint Cup at the Misano circuit in Italy, the fourth race weekend of the Sprint Cup season.
The reigning c more >> |
Another podium rewards Tresor by Car Collection’s efforts in Misano
04.07.2022
|
The third podium of the season for Tresor by Car Collection arrived in Misano, which has staged the third round of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup 2022.
The Italian team contested the home race with the two more >> |
Vanthoor/Weerts complete Team WRT Audi sweep at Misano to secure crucial points advantage for Fanatec Sprint finale
03.07.2022
|
• #32 Audi crew dominates again to established 11.5-point championship cushion• De Pauw/Jean seal Silver Cup title for AF Corse as final lap pass secures victory • Garage 59 McLaren sweeps Pro-Am to give Ramos/MacDonald title advantage more >> |
GT World Challenge Europe Misano facts and stats, entry list and schedule
25.06.2022
|
FACTS & STATS- Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts have amassed five overall wins at Misano, including a clean sweep last year. It was also the scene of their first triumph together in 2019.- Fred Vervisch (2016), Chris Mies (2018 x2 more >> |