Francorchamps Motors Shine at Brands Hatch Sprint Cup Opener
AF Corse - Francorchamps Motors made a remarkable start to the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup at Brands Hatch, with both Ferrari 296 GT3 entries - Car 51 and Car 50 - delivering strong performances in the season’s opening races.
Victory for Car 51 in Race 1
Alessio Rovera and Vincent Abril powered Ferrari Car 51 to a spectacular overall and Pro class win in Race 1. Lining up on the front row, Rovera kept the pressure on the pole-sitting Ferrari number 69 before handing over to Abril. Thanks to a perfectly timed pit stop strategy - delaying their stop by one lap - the team gained a crucial edge. Abril rejoined in the lead and defended it to the chequered flag, sealing the team’s first win of the season by just a few tenths of a second.
Rovera praised the team's preparation, stating, “The team worked hard on pit stops, and the win was a wonderful reward after a really intense contest.”
Solid Start for Car 50
Car 50, shared by Arthur Leclerc and Thomas Neubauer, also kicked off its campaign with a strong performance. The duo secured fifth place in Race 1, placing both AF Corse - Francorchamps Motors cars inside the top five. Despite tough competition, Leclerc and Neubauer stayed consistent and managed to bring home valuable championship points.
Race 2: Close Calls and Recovery Drives
Sunday’s second one-hour race proved more challenging. However, Car 50 showed strong pace, with Leclerc and Neubauer narrowly missing the podium. A determined recovery in the final stages brought them up to fourth place, just seven-tenths of a second from a top-three finish.
Car 51, meanwhile, faced a tougher race. Despite Rovera’s efforts to mount a comeback, they were unable to repeat their Race 1 success. Nonetheless, their Race 1 victory ensures they remain a key contender in the Sprint Cup standings.
Go Behind the Scenes with Francorchamps Motors TV
For fans who want more than just race results, Francorchamps Motors TV is your gateway to the heart of the team. The Francorchamps Motors official app and streaming platform offers exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and in-depth coverage of the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe season.
Available on the App Store and Google Play, Francorchamps Motors TV brings you closer than ever to the action, offering a unique look at the drivers’ preparations, team strategies, and the passion that drives every performance on and off the track.
What’s Next
With the opening round complete, the focus now shifts to the upcoming Sprint Cup race at Zandvoort (16–18 May), followed by the Monza Endurance round at the end of the month. Both Ferrari entries - Car 50 and Car 51 - have laid a strong foundation for what promises to be an intense and closely fought season.