GTWC Europe - Round 2 : Paul Ricard

The Paul Ricard 1000 Kms ended with AF Corse - Francorchamps Motors team’s Ferrari 296 GT3s in fifth and seventh place with the crews of Daniel Serra, Davide Rigon and Antonio Fuoco; and Robert Shwartzman, Nicklas Nielsen and Alessio Rovera.

The event, held on French soil, confirms the potential of the new 296 GT3, which produced a well- rounded, steady overall performance, positive indications ahead of the 24 Hours of Spa- Francorchamps, scheduled at the end of June, the season’s blue riband event.

The start, taking place in dry track conditions, saw Shwartzman start third in the number 51 296 GT3, two grid places ahead of Serra in the 71. In the frantic early stages, the AF Corse - Francorchamps Motors entries attempted to avoid any collisions, dropping several positions in the process. The Maranello manufacturer’s official drivers held positions just shy of the podium over the opening two hours of the race.

Mid-race, the controls were handed over to Rigon and Nielsen, who came back out on-track in sixth and seventh. Having to deal with the lapped cars proved to be a tricky task for the Italian and the Dane, although the pair still managed to close in on the top three.

The fourth pit-stop brought the turn of Fuoco in the number 71 296 GT3, with Rovera aboard the sister car. Over the final stages, the team switched strategy, extending Fuoco’s final stint – at that moment ahead in the standings – who pitted for a tyre change and refuelling 45 minutes from the finish. Returning to the track in P5, Fuoco defended his position, to take the chequered flag 26 seconds adrift of the winning number 88 Mercedes.

Coming next : The famous Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa will take place on the first weekend of July.