Safenwil – Switzerland, 12.05.2023
Emil Frey Racing will start this year’s Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Series season this weekend at Brands Hatch (UK).
Emil Frey Racing has been able to gain its first experience with the new Ferrari 296 GT3s over the past few months, testing the race cars on six different circuits. The team is ready for the first of five sprint races of this season. Last time the team travelled to England was in 2021, back then with the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evos. The Brands Hatch Circuit is an up-and-down track and, with a length of 3,908 metres, it is one of the tracks with one of the smaller layouts this season. The circuit runs right through a wooded landscape and is very demanding. A total of 29 GT3 cars are on the starting grid of the GT World Challenge Sprint. The overall field will be divided into three classes, which will be defined based on the driver constellation. 15 Pro, 4 Gold and 9 Silver cars will fight for class and overall victories.
“We are looking forward to the start of the season,” said Lorenz Frey-Hilti, Team Principal. “We have had some very productive test days with the new 296 Ferrari GT3 over the last few months. The challenge in the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Series is enormous. With the top teams on the grid, exciting and tight races are guaranteed. Qualifying will be essential for a good result.”
“I am extremely excited about Brands Hatch as it is my first race with Emil Frey Racing and with the new Ferrari 296 GT3,” said Thierry Vermeulen. “I think it’s going to be an exciting one. This is what we worked for all winter. We had some good test days, but of course, we had some unknown factors, which we’ve accepted with both hands. Naturally, I’m excited to do my debut in the GT World Challenge Sprint Series with my teammate Albert Costa Balboa, and I think this will be a great combination. Personally, I have never driven at Brands Hatch, so this will be a new challenge for me. Of course, I have done everything possible to prepare myself. Hopefully, it stays dry, and we’ll have some good battles with 29 cars. I’m really looking forward to this challenge.”
“I’m excited to start this season with some new challenges for me and the team as we switch from Lamborghini to Ferrari. “, added Giacomo Altoè. “Brands Hatch is a new track for me; I’ve never driven there, so it will be very challenging and not easy to get up to speed immediately, but I’m really looking forward to it. I feel confident for the first race and the rest of the season after we did a lot of preseason testing, which went very well.”
Following programme is awaiting the teams:
The weekend will start with the free practice session, followed by qualifying on Saturday. The first race will take place on Sunday afternoon at 12.05 CET.
Media contact:
Maria-Alejandra Rüeger
Emil Frey Racing
Schürmattstrasse, CH-5745 Safenwil
T: +41 (0) 79 567 25 18
mr@emilfreyracing.com