- Last and crucial sprint race of the season
- EFR currently in third place in the sprint ranking and in fifth place in the overall ranking
- Weekend schedule to consist of three one-hour races
Safenwil (Swtizerland), October 06th 2020
Return to familiar ground
In February of this year, the team from Safenwil completed their first tests on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where they gathered valuable learnings which they will use to build a solid base for the coming race weekend. Emil Frey Racing has fond memories of the track. In 2019, the team celebrated a double victory and is therefore optimistic about the race weekend to come, which also happens to be the last sprint race of the GT WORLD CHALLENGE EUROPE 2020. As such, it will decide who will be the winner of this year’s sprint series.
16 turns and 4.655 km of track shape the track in Montmeló, which is located only 30 minutes by car from Barcelona’s city center. The long turns, which lend the circuit its special character, will be especially demanding for the tires. The circuit is also a popular testing ground for Formula 1- and motorcylce teams; also owing to the mild temperatures in the winter as well as at the beginning of the year.
Once again, this weekend’s race can be followed live, via Youtube-Livestream.
Team statements
Lorenz Frey-Hilti, Team Principal
We left Zandvoort with mixed emotions because we weren’t able to translate our pole positions into wins. Nevertheless, we were able to make a great leap forward and are now in third place in the sprint ranking. Now it’s time to head on to Barcelona and to take on the last tricky sprint race weekend of the season. We will be facing three one-hour sprint races, which will give us the opportunity to gain more points for the championship.
Jürg Flach, Technical Director
Barcelona is a familiar track. After our strong performance in Zandvoort, it’s now our goal to use the last round of sprint races of the season to ensure the positive trend keeps moving up. Being in third place in the sprint ranking, we’ll be aiming for a perfect weekend without penalties and errors in order to stay in the running for a title. The circuit in Catalunya had been given a new surface with fresh asphalt in time for the 2018 season and has become a lot faster. The fast turns as well as the slower parts of the track require good aerodynamics and mechanical grip. These seem to be our strengths. I believe in the skills of our team and I’m looking forward to the upcoming challenge.
Driver statements Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO #163
Albert Costa Balboa (ESP)
Racing in my hometown is always an extra motivation for me. From a total of three races, I will do two qualifyings. It will be our last sprint race of the season and I’m very motivated, especially after the win in Zandvoort. Of course, I’m going to be extremely focused again. Unfortunately, the event will be held without a public, but I will still give my best, as always, and hopefully be able to bring home another trophy!
Giacomo Altoè (ITA)
I’m really looking forward to the last race weekend of this year’s sprint championship. It will be a three-race-weekend, so busy times ahead! For Albert, it’s a race in his hometown and so of course, we hope to finish strong. We will fight to show everyone that the whole team did a great job to improve the car, the setup as well as the pitstop. We’ll try to do everything to maximize our result.
Driver statements Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO #14
Norbert Siedler (AUT)
I’m looking forward to the last sprint weekend! We fared really well last time in Barcelona and I’m sure that Emil Frey Racing will once again prepare a highly competitive car that will enable us to fight for a place on the podium.
Mikaël Grenier (CAN)
I like the track a lot in Barcelona, therefore I’m looking forward to be driving it. We were fast last year in the GT Open and did a few testing days at the beginning of this year in Barcelona. That’s why I have a good feeling and of course we’re trying to fight for a win this time!