Packed grandstands witness two champions crowned in the dunes
Gialdini and Njor claim Silver title after dominant double
Prette makes history as late move seals Masters glory
Pro-Am on a knife edge ahead of Portimão finale
The GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli put on a fine show in front of Zandvoort’s packed grandstands as two titles were decided in the Dutch dunes.
Tens of thousands of fans flocked to the beachside circuit to witness history being made, as both the Silver and Masters crowns were claimed. Ethan Gialdini and Mikkel Njor’s double overall win made them the inaugural Silver champions, while the ever-impressive Philippe Prette became the series’ first three-time Masters champion.
The GT2 races set the scene ahead of a pair of epic GT World Challenge Sprint Cup contests, where a 45-car GT3 field took centre stage.
GINETTA SCORES BIG, PRETTE IS OUTSTANDING
On paper, Gialdini and Njor’s weekend looked straightforward: a perfect score with two class pole positions and two race wins. But in reality they were forced to work hard for the glory, especially in the thrilling finale.
Gialdini was one of the standout drivers all weekend thanks to his speed and composure and led the opener from pole before handing across to Njor, the Dane stroking the car home in what became a CMR one-two with Lawrence Tomlinson and Mike Simpson's sister car finishing second and taking the Pro-Am win. However, Race 2 was a different affair, with Njor battling hard within a tight pro field and handing the Ginetta across to Gialdini inside the top six. The Frenchman then put on a charge, picking his passes perfectly to rise through the order and seal the win, and the Silver title, with two races to spare.
As one of the grid’s longest-serving drivers, there is little doubt of Prette’s talents behind the wheel of his LP Racing Maserati and the two-time Masters champion added a historic third success in superb fashion.
It seemed the writing was on the wall when Prette scorched to two pole positions – the first good enough for third overall behind the Silvers – and the #1 Maserati proved unbeatable in both. Despite a spin in tricky conditions on his way to the Race 1 grid, Prette made no mistake from there on, taking a commanding win. With maximum pit stop compensation time to serve in Race 2, Prette had a harder time, but he regardless led the class through the first half before the longer stop cost him the on-track lead. Undeterred, he charged back onto the tail of title rival Viktor Mraz’s KTM before eventually making a race, and title-winning, move for the lead with just minutes remaining.
The Pro-Am fight hangs in the balance thanks to a mixed weekend for the title challengers. Tomlinson and Simpson should have won twice, but a penalty for using an external battery to restart their Ginetta on their pit stop cost them in Race 2 allowing MZR’s Reinhard Kofler and Marius Aigner to inherit victory. With Jay Mo Härtling and David Thilenius struggling to third and fifth in their SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm Mercedes-AMG, 28 points separates the top three heading to the Portimão finale next month.
GIALDINI MAKING A LATE SRO GT ACADEMY CHARGE
With impressive performances in qualifying and both races, Gialdini showed the SRO GT Academy fight is far from over. Having set up the #3 Ginetta’s opening victory by putting the car on pole and pulling clear of his rivals, the Frenchman’s series of fine overtakes in Race 2 will certainly have impressed the judges.
Njor added to his score by not putting a wheel wrong alongside his charging team-mate, while consistent performances from points leader Härtling ensured he leaves Zandvoort with a healthy haul of points. Moritz Wiskirchen helped the sister #110 Schnitzelalm Mercedes-AMG to twin points scores after some strong on-track battles while Niccolò Pirri scored well, helping the #8 LP Racing Maserati to a season-best second in class in Race 1.
The GT2 European Series returns to action over the weekend of October 16-18 for its season finale at Portimão in Portugal.
