Fontana to Return to GTWC Europe With Lionspeed

GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS regular Alex Fontana will return to the series this year as part of an expanded two-car Lionspeed GP Endurance Cup entry.

Fontana has previously won multiple class titles in the category, most recently taking Pro-Am Cup glory in 2023 with Car Collection Motorsport, but did not race in the series last year, instead focusing on the International GT Open.

The 33-year-old former single-seater racer will now return with Lionspeed at the wheel of its No. 89 Porsche 911 GT3 R in the Bronze Cup division and will share the car with team boss Patrick Kolb and the continuing Bashar Mardini.

“It’s a return to GT World Challenge for me,” Fontana said. “I have a few titles there in Pro-Am and Silver Cup, but it’s been a few years since I’ve done the full Endurance Cup season.

“Lionspeed is a benchmark team in SRO competition, especially within the Porsche world, therefore it’s really nice to join this
combination in the highest level championship with one of the best teams out there.”

Mardini narrowly missed out on Bronze class honors in the Sprint Cup contest last year, finishing runner-up alongside Bastian Buus.

He has previously driven alongside Fontana in a Tsunami RT Porsche and is relishing the opportunity to be reunited.

“We did a GT Open race together in Monza and we won it very convincingly,” said Mardini.

“I have a good feeling about it. We have a good program – I think we’re going to be more prepared this year than I was last year at this time.”

Details of Lionspeed’s second Porsche entry will be revealed in the coming weeks.