• GT World Challenge powered by AWS event culminates in double win for Team WRT
• ElektronFest brings thousands of fans to enjoy live music in the paddock
• Support races, fan activities and more make for packed weekend in Italy
GT World drew 26,000 spectators to the Adriatic coast this weekend to experience a packed weekend of motorsport and music at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.
The Italian venue hosted a pair of GT World Challenge powered by AWS Sprint Cup races, the first on Saturday evening and the second on Sunday afternoon. But that wasn't all: for the first time, a major live music event was part of the schedule, while further support races and fan activities made for a busy weekend.
On the track, Team WRT extended its remarkable run at Misano by taking a clean sweep of overall wins. The #32 BMW of Charles Weerts and Kelvin van der Linde charged to the lead at the start of Race 1 and was not under any serious pressure thereafter, beating CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa winner Lionspeed GP to the top step of the podium.
While its Race 1 triumph owed much to a flying start, Team WRT secured Race 2 honours thanks to a world-class pit stop from its #32 crew. This allowed the BMW to jump the Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing entry, which had led from pole with Jules Gounon at the wheel.
There were no such problems for the #32 BMW, with Weerts coming home to take his 20th Sprint Cup victory. The Belgian is now the most successful driver in the history of the series and, along with Van der Linde, holds a 14-point advantage at the top of the standings.
Tresor Attempto Racing also secured a clean sweep of victories with a double triumph in the Gold Cup. Dylan Pereira and Alex Aka took the Race 1 win from pole and came home fifth overall, then claimed Race 2 honours thanks to an early pass on the #111 CSA Racing Audi.
Silver Cup honours were shared between Team WRT and GetSpeed Team Bartone Bros. The #30 BMW of Matisse Lismont and Ignacio Montenegro took the Saturday night contest, while Aurélien Panis and Anthony Bartone secured their maiden win as teammates in the #6 Mercedes-AMG on Sunday afternoon.
Honours were also split in the Bronze Cup, which made its first Sprint appearance of the season at Misano. On both occasions, it was a Mercedes-AMG crew on the top step of the podium. GetSpeed Team Dubai won on Saturday as Gabriel Rindone and Fabian Schiller fought off the #87 Winward Racing squad. Rinat Salikhov and Marvin Dienst had their revenge on Sunday, bagging the class win in commanding fashion and earning an early points advantage in the process.
Misano provided plenty more besides the GT World Challenge action. The venue was alive with activity throughout the weekend, particularly on Saturday evening when thousands of music lovers gathered in the paddock for ElektronFest. Headliner performers Planet Funk and Dj Ralf were joined by L3UM4S, Fresco, Cromadisco, Deledda, and Viceversa, while Valentino Rossi made a special appearance on the stage.
Dinner in the Sky provided one of the most exceptional sights of the entire season, with food and drinks served on a platform elevated 50 feet above the circuit. Diners enjoyed unrivalled views of the track activity below, while more traditional activities such as the pit walk and autograph session gave fans even more to do.
There was plenty of added entertainment on the track, too. The GT4 European Series provided quality racing during both of its 60-minute contests, as did the rejuvenated GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli. McLaren Trophy Europe added even more high-level GT cars, while TopJet F2000 brought single-seater action to the programme, including retro Formula 3 machinery.
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Ahead of Sunday’s race, the paddock paid tribute to legendary team boss Marc van der Straten, who passed away recently at the age of 78. Among those present for a moment’s silence were members of the Boutsen VDS squad, with whom Marc had worked closely in recent years, as well as SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stéphane Ratel.
The Misano meeting marked the fifth of 10 GT World Challenge powered by AWS events that will take place this year. The action will resume in all four classes when Magny-Cours stages its Sprint Cup round on 31 July–2 August.
