The final Sprint Cup race of the 2020 season of GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, and although the No. 88 AKKA-ASP Mercedes did won the Race 3, it wasn’t enough to beat WRT, Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts as the all-Belgian squad returned to the Sprint Cup throne.
The third race started with two title contenders being wiped out due to Race 2 post-race penalties, so it was the No. 32 WRT Audi versus the No. 88 AKKA-ASP Mercedes. While the start had some panel rubbing at the front, the No. 93 Tempesta Ferrari was sent to the wall after a multi-car contact at the green, calling the Safety Car to the track for the first time on Lap 1.
10 minutes were needed to rescue the car and clean the track, and when the green flag was waved again the No. 88 tried to go away from the WRT pair of Audis as much as possible. Even though there were some cars in close pursuit of the leaders, it would take extra effort to overtake, and also this would mean meddling with the title race matters while not on it.
The leaders opted to pit as late as possible unlike some of the Front runners, but in fact there were no position changes after the end of the pit window. While first and second places were in control, the No. 14 Emil Frey Lamborghini used some bold moves to overtake the No. 31 WRT Audi for third place as Ryuichiro Tomita was holding the Swiss Lamborghinis as hard as he could.
Timur Boguslavskiy did what he needed in the No. 88 AKKA-ASP Mercedes to challenge for the title, eventually winning the race, but this wasn’t enough as Charles Weerts completed the job done by Dries Vanthoor in the No. 32 WRT Audi, came home in second place and secure the Sprint Cup title by four points, having 89 against 85 of the Mercedes team.
GTWC Europe - Barcelona Race 3 results
The No. 14 Emil Frey Lamborghini had the Silver Cup win secure before its move to third place overall, and the No. 52 AF Corse Ferrari won the Pro-Am Cup.
WRT gets its fourth drivers title in the Sprint Cup and its seventh teams title after seeing its perfect streak being broken by AKKA-ASP.
Despite losing the Sprint Cup title, Boguslavskiy and AKKA-ASP can fight for Endurance Cup and the overall GT World Challenge Europe honors, with the next meeting being at WRT’s home, the TOTAL 24 Hours of Spa on 24 and 25 October, which will retain its 24 hour format after being announced as a 25 hour race due to daylight saving time related matters.
PHOTO: SRO/Patrick Hecq
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