Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo, early indications in the GT World Challenge Europe

Le Castellet, 12 April 2026 - The Paul Ricard circuit hosted the opening round of the GT World Challenge Europe – Endurance Cup, where the latest Ferrari GT car, the 296 GT3 Evo, made its debut in the championship among the nearly 60 cars entered. The crews will be back on track at the end of May for the second round of the championship at the much-anticipated Italian race at Monza.

The best of the seven cars from the Prancing Horse manufacturer fielded in this opening round of the season was number 51 of AF Corse which, with official drivers Alessio Rovera, Nicklas Nielsen and Tommaso Mosca, crossed the line of the 1000 kilometres of Paul Ricard in fourteenth place overall.

The weekend on French soil represented a significant challenge, with the Ferraris called to contend with a layout – that of Paul Ricard – not particularly suited to their characteristics. The crews nevertheless showed determination, completing a solid race while gaining valuable experience. The race unfolded smoothly, with the Safety Car deployed only during the opening lap and in the final hour, following a prolonged Full Course Yellow period. The race, which kicked off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, 11 April in temperatures of 21.5°C, finished at midnight with 12°C.

Pro Cup. With the fourteenth place of number 51, also delayed by contact with a rival – later penalised with a drive-through – the second AF Corse car, number 50, with official drivers Arthur Leclerc and Lilou Wadoux alongside Sean Gelael, finished in nineteenth place.

Bronze Cup. The Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo number 74 with Dustin Blattner, Dennis Marschall and Lorenzo Patrese finished in the points, taking fifth in the Bronze class. In the same category, number 60 of JMW Motorsport with Chandler Hull, Rolf Ineichen and Tim Heinemann was forced to retire.

Gold Cup. In the Gold class, Frederik Schandorff, Simon Birch and Malte Ebdrup, in the Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo number 71 of Selected Car Racing, finished just off the podium, having to settle for fourth place.

Silver Cup. Seventh in the Silver class for the number 52 car of AF Corse with Jeff Machiels, Gilles Stadsbader and Matias Zagazeta, while the number 45 car of Rinaldi Racing with Rafael Duran, Dylan Medler and David Perel crossed the line in twelfth position.

Calendar. The next round of the GT World Challenge Europe – Endurance Cup is scheduled at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Italy, from 29 to 31 May. Before that, there will also be the debut of the Sprint Cup, scheduled from 2 to 3 May at the Brands Hatch circuit in Great Britain.

12 aprile 2026