Spa-Francorchamps, 29 June 2024 – One year after unveiling their car and sports plans, Maserati made a triumphant return to Spa-Francorchamps for the third round of the Fanatec GT2 European Series Powered by Pirelli. During a weekend that also featured the 24 Hours of Spa, Maserati’s three GT2 entries shone brightly, securing a spectacular one-two finish in Race 1. The LP Racing’s number 1 car, driven by Leonardo Gorini and Carlo Tamburini, clinched victory, finishing ahead of their teammate Philippe Prette, who emerged as the winner in the Am class. The TFT Racing team’s number 24 Maserati, driven by Alexandre Leroy, secured second place in the Am class (fifth overall). In Race 2, Leroy secured a podium finish in the Am class, taking third place.
In the qualifying session for Race 1, Maserati dominated by capturing the top three positions, with Leroy achieving his first pole position of the season. At the start of the race, the number 24 car capitalized on its pole position to lead the race initially but was soon overtaken by the number 1 Maserati GT2, driven by Gorini, who surged to the front after a few laps. After the driver change, Tamburini made a minor error at Les Combes, which allowed teammate Philippe Prette to close the gap significantly, though Tamburini maintained the lead. Tamburini crossed the finish line first, with Prette just 2.8 seconds behind, securing a Maserati one-two finish and Prette’s third win of the year in the Am class. Leroy, although contending for an overall podium, ultimately finished fifth and second in the Am class.
Race 2, held on Saturday morning, presented new challenges. Prette was forced to pit early due to a puncture, affecting his race strategy. Despite a strong start, Tamburini found himself in fourth place but dropped to eighth after contact with a competitor. Following the mandatory pit window, Gorini, having taken over from Tamburini, started to make up lost ground but had to pit again due to another puncture, finishing in tenth place. Leroy maintained a consistent pace throughout the race, finishing sixth overall and third in the Am class.
Looking ahead, the fourth round of the Fanatec GT2 European Series Powered by Pirelli is set to take place in Hockenheim, Germany, from 19 to 21 July.
Giovanni Sgro, Head of Maserati Corse, expressed his satisfaction: “Our winning streak with the Maserati GT2 continues: I couldn’t have hoped for anything better this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, despite a bit of bad luck in Race 2. Securing first and second places in Race 1 underscores that we have developed an outstanding car for motorsport customers, professional racing teams, and gentleman drivers. Maserati’s racing vocation, recently celebrated with the special editions of the MC20 Icona and MC20 Leggenda for the 20th anniversary of the MC12’s debut, ties together all our vehicles. From the MC20 to the Maserati GT2 and the MCXtrema, our brand consistently develops cutting-edge technologies to meet customers’ demands, both on the road and on the track. We eagerly anticipate the next round of the 2024 Fanatec GT2 European Series Powered by Pirelli at Hockenheim.”
