Blancpain GT Champions Crowned in London

Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography

This season’s Blancpain GT Series champions were crowned at the SRO’s awards ceremony in London’s Old Billingsgate Grand Hall on Saturday night.

Trophies were presented to the drivers’ and teams’ champions in all of the Blancpain GT Series’ classes, as well as for Sprint, Endurance and combined standings.

It included Raffaele Marciello and AKKA ASP taking home the most coveted prizes, with the overall drivers’ and teams’ titles going to the Italian driver and his French team.

TM Performance also presented the Jerome Policand-led team with a cheque from the company to recognize its accomplishment, after its Mercedes-AMG GT3s ran on TM Performance brake pads this season.

Marciello and Michael Meadows took home the Sprint Cup drivers’ title while Belgian Audi Club Team WRT claimed the teams’ championship for the sixth year in a row.

Black Falcon and its drivers Maro Engel, Yelmer Buurman and Luca Stolz claimed the Endurance Cup titles after winning its appeal of a disqualification earlier this month.

All of the Endurance Cup drivers’ title winners, along with Marciello, were presented with a Blancpain watch to mark their achievements.

A total of 17 drivers’ champions were awarded, while six teams took home trophies, representing five manufacturers.

WRT won the TM Performance Pit Stop Challenge for again performing the fastest stops during the Sprint Cup.

“Firstly, I must offer my congratulations to all of those who were recognised [on Saturday] evening,” said SRO founder and CEO Stephane Ratel.

“Our series grow more competitive by the year and so to be crowned champion is a tremendous achievement.

“This awards ceremony is the perfect way in which to conclude a year of hard work and celebrate the successes of our competitors.

“Indeed, I am grateful to everyone who has been a part of our championships in 2018. We have seen great developments in many areas and it is thanks to the involvement of such high-quality participants that we never stop improving.

“I wish everyone an enjoyable winter break and look forward to another fantastic year in 2019.” 

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.