BUSY PIT LANE DURING AUTOGRAPH SESSION WITH THE 176 STARS OF THE GT WORLD CHALLENGE BY AWS, AHEAD OF TOMORROW’S 3-HOUR RACE AT MONZA

31 May 2025
|In News
|By Andrea Cremonesi

The pit lane was bustling during the autograph session featuring all 176 drivers taking part in the GT World Challenge by AWS, who will face off tomorrow in the 3-hour race scheduled at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. Saturday, meanwhile, was marked by the first races of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo and the McLaren Trophy Europe.

In the single-make series by the manufacturer from Sant’Agata Bolognese, victory went to Frenchman Stephan Guerin and Briton Georgi Dimitrov (CMR), ahead of the pairing of Frenchman Enzo Geraci and Czech driver Josef Knopp (Oregon Team), and the car from HC by DL Racing driven by Diego Locanto and Luca Segu. The race ended prematurely due to a red flag following a collision.

In the one-make series by the Woking-based brand, it was a one-two finish for the Greystone GT team, with Brits Joshua Mason and Sam Naser, and the duo of Australian Jayden Kelly and Briton Michael O’Brian. Third place went to ALM Motorsport with Brits Samuel Harrison and Leonidas Karavasili.

As for the GT World Challenge by AWS, pre-qualifying sessions were held: the fastest time was 1’46.003 set by the Mercedes-AMG of the GetSpeed team, driven by Germans Fabian Schiller and Luca Stolz, and Andorran Jules Gounon.

A particularly emotional moment came in the afternoon during the press conference of Andrea Bertolini, one of the most successful drivers in closed-wheel racing: 10 national and international titles, 309 races including tomorrow’s final one, 58 wins, 128 podiums, 26 pole positions, and 17 fastest laps. He began racing in 2001 on this very track at the wheel of a Porsche, while he was already test-driving Ferrari F1 cars for Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. He has now chosen to end his career at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, naturally behind the wheel of a Prancing Horse car fielded by AF Corse.

In the morning, the official pre-race press conference also took place, featuring ten Italian drivers:

  • Mirko Bortolotti (Lamborghini, Grasser Racing)

  • Matteo Cairoli (Mercedes-AMG, Winward Racing)

  • Riccardo Cazzaniga (Audi, Tresor Attempto Racing)

  • Eddie Cheever (Ferrari, Ziggo Sport Tempesta)

  • Alberto Di Folco (Audi, Tresor Attempto Racing)

  • Eliseo Donno (Ferrari, AF Corse Francorchamps Motors)

  • Mattia Drudi (Aston Martin, Comtoyou Racing)

  • David Fumanelli (Ferrari, Kessel Racing)

  • Antonio Fuoco (Ferrari, AF Corse, Francorchamps Motors)

  • Raffaele Marciello (BMW, Rowe Racing)

Tomorrow’s final day will feature the fourth free practice session for the McLaren Trophy Europe (9:00–9:15), followed by the second qualifying session for the same series (9:20–9:40). Then the GT World Challenge drivers will take part in three qualifying sessions—each of the 59 teams’ drivers will participate, with the best lap time setting the starting grid. This will take place between 9:50 and 10:35.

At 11:20, the second Lamborghini Super Trofeo race begins (rolling start, 50 minutes). At 12:15, 16 GT World Challenge drivers will meet fans in the Fanzone for a Meet & Greet session.

Then at 12:40, the second race of the McLaren Trophy Europe will start (standing start, 45 minutes).

Before the start of the 3-hour race, set for 15:00, the Alpine Fanfare “Angelo Masciadri di Asso” will perform on track and play the Italian National Anthem.

Entry costs €25 (children up to 6 years old enter free, €1 for ages 7 to 11).