After an initial stroll up and down the paddock at Ricard, it’s clear that this season in the Blancpain GT Series’ is going to be all about who can get to grips with their new cars quickest, because there’s an abundance of brand new GT3 machinery present, and interestingly, some not present.
One of the big surprises after looking at the entry list is that no Ferrari 488 GT3s are here for the test; instead, all the teams due to run one – like Rinaldi Racing pictured below – are here with 458s.
Many out of those who have had new cars delivered in time for this week’s running, unsurprisingly are here without full colour schemes, like Boutsen Ginion’s new BMW M6.
And HTP’s AMG GT3s.
A few cars are running brand new liveries though, including ARC Bratislava’s new Huracan GT3, which is certainly going to stand out with a multi-coloured BMW art car-esque livery with the traditional yellow colour from the team.
ROWE Racing are also here with a fully liveried pair of new BMWs.
Of the teams that have already raced this year, Phoenix Racing’s Audi R8 from the Bathurst 12 Hour, is still sporting its special Aussie livery.
With seven hours of running today and tomorrow, DSC will have plenty of content to come, featuring every team here in the South of France ahead of the new season.
Stephen Kilbey
