The first weekend of the FANATEC GT World Challenge Sprint Cup at Magny-Cours was really a case of who comes first serves first, with the No. 32 WRT Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo and the No. 6 Toksport WRT Mercedes AMG GT3 dominating the races 1 and 2 from lights to flag despite some close competition just behind them.
WRT had a good start with the No. 32 Audi in the first race, but Charles Weerts wouldn’t have an easy life just because he was in front, as the Emil Frey Lamborghinis were hot on his rear wing. The lack of lighting and alternatives in terms of racing lines made the leaders stay where they were for the whole first stint.
The gaps after the pit window were simply too big for Emil Frey to make any moves in the No. 32 WRT Audi, so it was more of a cruise for the Belgian team until the checkered flag, and this was more valid for the Silver Cup winners from the No. 14 Emil Frey Lamborghini. The Pro-Am Cup was won by the No. 52 AF Corse Ferrari.
GTWC Europe - Magny-Cours Race 1 results
In Race 2, the No. 6 Toksport Mercedes started with good pace and looked set to go away with the lead, but the No. 163 Emil Frey Lamborghini started to catch up and it was bringing most of the pack along with.
The No. 163 kept the second place with a reasonable distance for the No. 6, but with a left rear puncture leading to a spin near the pit window, the No. 38 JOTA McLaren took the honor of leading the chasing pack.
The No. 6 took the pit early but the rest of the competition opted for the risk of the late stops, and with a yellow flag after the end of the pit window, the No. 88 AKKA-ASP Mercedes reaped all the benefits, while the No. 32 WRT Audi came to third and the No. 38 JOTA McLaren lost the most, going down to fourth despite the quick pitwork.
While the No. 6 consolidated its lead despite two following safety car periods, leaving the No. 32 and the No. 88 fighting with each other to the bitter end, with the Audi having the second position after the door bumping, with the questionable move giving more clear air for the No. 6 Toksport Mercedes to win the race.
GTWC Europe - Magny-Cours Race 2 results
The No. 87 AKKA-ASP Mercedes won the Silver Cup from fifth overall, proving that the Silver-rated class was constantly challenging the Pro Cup entries, and the all-Portuguese No. 77 Barwell Lamborghini of Miguel Ramos and Henrique Chaves beat the No. 20 SPS Mercedes for the Pro-Am Cup win.
The overall standings has Raffaele Marciello (88 AKKA-ASP Mercedes) topping it with 33.5 points against the 29.6 from Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts (32 WRT Audi) and the 27 from Ricardo Feller (163 Emil Frey Lamborghini).
The FANATEC GT World Challenge stays in France until the end of the month, as the Paul Ricard 1000 resumes the Endurance Cup on 30 May. After that the Sprint Cup returns on 19 and 20 June for its second event at the renewed layout of the Circuit Zandvoort in the Netherlands.
PHOTOS: SRO/Patrick Hecq
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