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Intercontinental GT Challenge

Kevin, Jan Magnussen Team Up in MDK Ferrari for Gulf 12H

Kevin Magnussen to make GT3 debut in MDK Motorsports Ferrari entry alongside father Jan…

Image: MDK Motorsports

Formula 1 driver Kevin Magnussen and his 24 Hours of Le Mans class-winning father Jan will contest the Gulf 12 Hours in an MDK Motorsports Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020.

The Danish duo will team up with MDK Motorsports team owner Mark Kvamme for the final round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli season in December.

Kevin Magnussen, who currently drives for Haas in F1, is set for his first competitive appearance in a GT car and his first sports car outing since the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January.

Ex-Grand Prix driver Jan, 49, recently took part in two Michelin Le Mans Cup races driving a Honda NSX GT3 Evo22 and has previously driven a GTE version of the Ferrari 488 at Le Mans with JMW Motorsport.

The deal for the Gulf 12 Hours, which takes place at Yas Marina Circuit, came about after American racer Kvamme met Kevin Magnussen at a Formula 1 race in May.

“Mark and I met at the Miami Grand Prix weekend and somehow the idea of racing together in Abu Dhabi turned up,” Magnussen said.

“We called my father – and the team was set. MDK Motorsports is driven by passionate and professional racers, and I enjoy working with these guys.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together. Of course, I’m also extremely grateful to be given another chance of driving together with my father – and hopefully even trying to win a race.”

Kevin and Jan Magnussen shared a car for the first time at last year’s Le Mans edition, where they drove an Oreca 07 Gibson run by Danish team High Class Racing.

“Huge thanks to MDK Motorsports for setting up this program and putting Kevin and me in the same car again,” said Jan, who is aiming to race full-time in GT3 next year.

“I had the chance of driving the Ferrari 488 at Le Mans in 2020, and it’s a very proper race car.

“Combine that with an experienced team and three drivers that really want to race, and let’s see what we can do. I’m sure it’s going to be fun!”

The MDK Motorsports Ferrari will receive technical support from AF Corse.

Team owner Kvamme recently won the Am class in Porsche Carrera Cup North America presented by The Cayman Islands and also did Le Mans this year in a JMW Ferrari.

“It’s an absolute honor and a privilege for me and everyone at MDK Motorsports to be joined by two legends,” he said.

“Kevin is a super fast and very experienced Formula 1 driver and he’s also an official ambassador for our team.

“Jan is one of the most winning sports car drivers in the world. Together they bring many years of top-level racing experience to our team.

“I can’t imagine a better driver lineup for our first Gulf 12 Hours attempt as a team.”

A total of 34 cars are on the provisional entry list for the Gulf 12 Hours, which is set for its first edition as a round of the globe-trotting IGTC run by SRO Motorsports Group.

MDK Motorsports was not shown on the preliminary entry sheet, however six AF Corse Ferraris were listed.

Daniel Lloyd is a UK-based reporter for Sportscar365, covering the FIA World Endurance Championship, Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, among other series.

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