- Jens Klingmann, Al Faisal Al Zubair, and Ben Tuck triumph at Monza in the Gold Cup for AlManar Racing by WRT
- Kelvin van der Linde and Charles Weerts defend overall lead in the drivers’ standings with fifth place
- BMW M Motorsport Teams celebrate a one-two finish in the Silver Cup
The BMW M Motorsport teams impressed once again during the second race weekend of the Endurance Cup in the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS at Monza (ITA) with the BMW M4 GT3 EVO. At the Temple of Speed, BMW M works driver Jens Klingmann (GER), alongside Al Faisal Al Zubair (OMA) and Ben Tuck (GBR), triumphed in the Gold Cup. Charles Weerts (BEL) and Kelvin van der Linde (RSA), together with Ugo de Wilde (BEL) for Team WRT, finished fourth in the Pro Cup, maintaining their overall lead in both the drivers’ and team standings.
Klingmann, Al Faisal Al Zubair, and Tuck started the three-hour Monza race from seventh place in the Gold Cup. A strong strategy brought the #777 BMW M4 GT3 EVO into the lead after about an hour and a half, a position the trio never relinquished. Klingmann secured fourth place overall and a commanding class victory – a reason to celebrate once again after his overall win last year. For AlManar Racing by WRT, this marked their second podium finish in as many Endurance Cup races; the trio finished third in the Le Castellet (FRA) season opener
Right behind them, Weerts, van der Linde, and de Wilde fought their way from eleventh on the grid to fifth overall despite two five-second time penalties. With fourth place in the Pro Cup, the trio also collected important points for the overall standings. In addition to the drivers’ standings for Weerts and van der Linde, Team WRT, which won the season opener at Le Castellet, also defended its lead in the team standings.
ROWE Racing, on the other hand, experienced an unfortunate Sunday in Lombardy as a full course yellow immediately after their pit stop, during which the team also lost time due to being held up in the crowded pit lane, set Augusto Farfus (BRA), Jesse Krohn (FIN), and Raffaele Marciello (SUI) back. After a collision in the fiercely contested midfield, Krohn had to retire the #98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO due to damage.
In the Silver Cup, Century Motorsport and Team WRT delivered a thrilling battle for the class victory in the final stages at Monza. In the internal BMW M Motorsport duel, Jarrod Waberski (RSA), William Moore (GBR), and Mex Jansen (NED) in the #42 BMW M4 GT3 EVO ultimately came out on top. Behind them, Etienne Cheli (FRA), Gustav Bergström (SWE), and Gilles Stadsbader (BEL) in the #30 BMW M4 GT3 EVO completed the one-two finish.
Paradine Competition finished sixth in class with the #992 BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Their teammates in the #991 car also finished sixth in the Bronze Cup. BMW Italia Ceccato Racing placed tenth.
Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “Congratulations to our BMW M Motorsport teams and drivers on a strong race at Monza! After qualifying, it looked like it would be a challenging Sunday, but over the race distance, our teams demonstrated excellent strategic skills. With two class wins and the defense of the overall lead, we can be very satisfied. Many thanks to everyone involved for their outstanding efforts! Now we will give it our all together to prepare optimally for the season highlight in June at Spa-Francorchamps. I am confident that ROWE Racing will also play a leading role again after their unfortunate race at Monza.”
Ugo de Wilde (#32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team WRT, 4th place Pro Cup): “I think we achieved the maximum possible for us today with a trouble-free race. The goal was to score as many points as possible for the overall standings, and we succeeded. But both we as a team and I personally still have room for improvement. That’s good news as we look ahead to the season highlight at Spa-Francorchamps.”
Jens Klingmann (#777 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team WRT, 1st place Gold Cup): “First place in the Gold Cup is another fantastic result here at Monza after our overall win last year. I can only say: ‘Teamwork makes the dream work!’ At the start, we didn’t think we had the pace to win. But the strategy, the pit stops, the driver changes – all of that made the difference once again. Now we head into the big race at Spa-Francorchamps well-prepared and full of anticipation.”
Augusto Farfus (#98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, ROWE Racing, DNF): “The accident involving Jesse that led to our retirement was very unfortunate, but these things can happen. Before that, I actually had a great start but got boxed in at the first chicane and couldn’t capitalise on it. During our first pit stop, we got stuck again in the very crowded pit lane and lost a few positions. Sometimes you just have races like this. Now we focus on the coming weeks with the most important races of the year.”
Mex Jansen (#42 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Century Motorsport, 1st place Silver Cup): “I think that was the most intense race of my career. It was incredibly hot in the car, but I’m glad I could bring the winner’s trophy home for the team. Many thanks to Century Motorsport and my co-drivers. A fantastic day!”
