A 30-car field has been revealed for this weekend’s GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup season opener at Brands Hatch. It’s the largest grid assembled for the opening round since 2016, and features a record 10 manufacturers.
A healthy 13-car Pro entry is headlined by the return of defending drivers’ champions Lucas Auer and Maro Engel in the #48 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo. Also representing the German marque is Boutsen VDS, with the #9 for Maxime Martin and Luca Stolz.
Defending teams’ champions Team WRT return with its #32 BMW M4 GT3 Evo, featuring Kelvin van der Linde and Charles Weerts. AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors is the only multi-car outfit in the class, fielding a pair of Ferrari 296 GT3s, with Emil Frey Racing adding a third 296 GT3 to the Pro ranks.
GRT – Grasser Racing Team and Barwell Motorsport are both fielding a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2, with Garage 59 and CSA Racing each running a McLaren GT3 Evo.
Walkenhorst Motorsport is fielding the #35 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo, whilst Rutronik Racing is returning with its #96 Porsche 911 GT3.R (992). HRT – Ford Performance completes the Pro field, with the #64 Ford Mustang GT3.
The Gold Cup features six cars, with Audi, BMW, Ferrari and McLaren all represented.
The entry list for the opening round has confirmed multiple previously unannounced driver line-ups in the class. 2024 runners-up Paul Evrard and Gilles Magnus are returning to the #25 Sainteloc Racing Audi, whilst Arthur Rougier and James Kell will share the #112 CSA Racing McLaren.
The Silver Cup features 11 cars from eight different manufacturers.
Notably, Steller Motorsport is set to give the Corvette Z06 GT3.R its first start on British soil, with Matisse Lismont and Jesse Salmenautio sharing the #24 Corvette at the team’s home event.
Elsewhere, Jef Machiels and Marcos Siebert have been confirmed as the drivers in the #52 AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors Ferrari.
Two cars named on the pre-season entry list are not making the trip to Brands Hatch, the #5 Optimum Motorsport McLaren from the Gold Cup and the Silver Cup-entered #65 HRT Ford Performance Mustang GT3.
The Bronze Cup is not contesting the opening round of the season, due to paddock size restrictions at the British venue. The class will instead begin its season at Circuit Zandvoort on 17/18 May.
The 2025 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup begins at Brands Hatch on 3/4 May, with a pair of 60-minute races.
Image courtesy of SRO/JEP
