Magny-Cours. The battle for the title in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS intensified at the penultimate race weekend of the Sprint Cup at Magny-Cours (FRA). BMW M Team WRT drivers Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts (both BEL) in the #32 BMW M4 GT3 secured a win and a second-place finish, thereby defending their narrow lead in the overall standings. BMW M Motorsport teams also celebrated podium finishes in the Silver and Bronze classes. The Sprint Cup season finale will take place from 11th-13th October at Barcelona (ESP).
Vanthoor and Weerts demonstrated strong comebacks in both races. On Saturday, they moved up from sixth to second place, which became a win after a post-race time penalty was applied to the first-placed Porsche. On Sunday, they climbed from eighth to second place. In both instances, they had close battles with the #48 Mercedes driven by Lucas Auer (AUT) and Maro Engel (GER). In the end, both duos had a win and a second place to their names, meaning Vanthoor and Weerts could defend their two-point lead in the Sprint Cup driver standings. The same narrow margin separates the two crews in the overall standings combining the Sprint and Endurance Cups.
BMW M works driver Dan Harper (GBR), along with Darren Leung (GBR) in the #991 BMW M4 GT3 from Century Motorsport, finished third in the Bronze Cup in both races. Particularly on Saturday, Harper put on an impressive show, starting from second place and fighting for the lead for a long time during his stint. Ultimately, Leung crossed the finish line first in class, but as Harper had pushed an opponent into the gravel during a duel, the duo received a post-race 10-second penalty and were classified third. Harper and Leung lead the driver standings in the Bronze Cup, just as Calan Williams (AUS) and Sam de Haan (GBR) lead the Silver Cup. The Team WRT duo finished in fifth and third place in the Silver class at Magny-Cours with the #30 BMW M4 GT3.
Comments after the races:
Vincent Vosse (Team Principal, BMW M Team WRT): “I am very happy with this weekend. We did everything we could with the win and second place. Especially the starts were fantastic in both races. The pit stops were also extremely strong again – we won the pitstop challenge. In addition, we managed to get a podium in the Silver Cup so we have fully accomplished our task in Magny-Cours.”
Dries Vanthoor (#32 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT): “A win and a second place – that was a good weekend for us. Unfortunately, our competitors for the title also had a strong weekend, and so we will carry the fight to the Barcelona finale. It’s going to be very exciting, but we are doing everything we can to defend our narrow lead there.”
Charles Weerts (#32 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT): “We can be very satisfied with the result this weekend. Of course, we would have preferred to win on the track on Saturday, but in the end, the points count. Many thanks to the team, BMW M Motorsport, and Dries for the great job! The #48 is relentless and gives us a tough fight. We will continue this at Barcelona finale. If it turns out the same way there as it did here and we defend our two-point lead, I’ll be happy.”
Dan Harper (#991 BMW M4 GT3, Century Motorsport): “A great weekend – many thanks to Century Motorsport! My qualifying on Saturday with pole position in class and second overall was a highlight. Unfortunately, the time penalty after my collision cost us the class win. But leaving with two third places is a good result. Darren did a great job. The BMW M4 GT3 was in top form this weekend.”