• Tresor Attempto Racing puts Audi back on top with remarkable win
• Packed event includes action on and off the track for fans to enjoy
• Next stop Spa-Francorchamps for 78th CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa
With more than 43,000 spectators in attendance, a carnival atmosphere among the fans and plenty of action on the circuit, GT World Challenge powered by AWS served up another unforgettable weekend of entertainment at Monza.
Sunday’s three-hour race began in dramatic fashion, developed into a game of strategy, then ended with yet more drama. A multi-car crash at the start removed several leading contenders, including the top five on the grid. It also paved the way for several underdogs to step into the spotlight, particularly the #23 RJN McLaren and the #87 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG.
But the winners’ champagne belonged to the #66 Tresor Attempto Racing squad, which showed that Audi can still triumph in the most competitive GT series in the world by winning overall with its Silver Cup crew. For the young trio of drivers – Rocco Mazzola, Ariel Levi and Sebastian Øgaard – it was a day to remember.
As ever, Monza offered far more than just the action on track. The public were treated to plenty of extra activities, including a pair of autograph sessions which allowed them to meet the drivers, and a fully stocked Fan Zone with music from the GT World DJ, food and drinks, and more. Support action came from three high-level championships: the GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli, GT4 European Series, and McLaren Trophy Europe.
There were also some incredible supercars, including the cutting-edge Kimera Evo 37, a restomod that pays tribute to the iconic Lancia rally car. There was nostalgia too, with Érik Comas running demonstration laps in his road-legal Nissan R390 GT1, a car that turned heads on-track and in the paddock. And, in what is now an annual tradition, the Fanfara Alpina Angelo Masciadri were on the grid to perform a rousing rendition of the national anthem. With perfect weather, it was an ideal weekend for fans.
While the race result will take the headlines, there was also a significant story in qualifying when the Ford Mustang GT3 secured its first-ever GT World Challenge pole position. It came only 18 months after the American manufacturer launched its new programme and added a new name to the list of brands that have taken pole in the series. The remarkable level of competition was fully on display in qualifying, where the fastest 33 cars were separated by less than a second.
There was another significant off-track development on Thursday. Italian-Swiss watch brand DESDER was unveiled as Presenting Partner, with its unique all-titanium creation – the D001 – launched to media, teams, and drivers before the race. Inspired by the automotive tradition of GT cars, this unique timepiece features some of the most intricate engineering ever seen in watchmaking with a Triple Axis Tourbillon, put together by the leading experts in horology.
“GT World is a natural home for us, as automotive culture is at the very heart of our ethos,” said the brand’s founder Fabrizio Nardini. “We’re delighted to begin our journey at one of the most iconic venues in international motorsport.”
With the Monza weekend complete, the next event on the GT World Challenge calendar is the most important of them all: the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. The Belgian endurance classic stages its 78th edition on 24-28 June and will see a 70-car field tackle the biggest GT race in the world.
The main event will be preceded by a week of activities both on and off the Ardennes circuit. From the first track action on Tuesday to Wednesday's parade, three nights of music – including the electro night headlined by Dimitri Vegas – and plenty of support race action, it promises to be truly unforgettable
