Ratel Hopeful GT2 Overhaul Will Revitalize Platform

Photo: JEP/SRO

Stephane Ratel is hopeful SRO Motorsports Group’s overhaul of the GT2 European Series for next year, which will introduce a Silver class and also permit Gold and Platinum-rated drivers for the first time, will provide a significant boost to the grids.

The SRO-licensed platform, first announced in 2018 before debuting one year later, has struggled for entries in its flagship European series, which had only nine cars in last weekend’s round at Spa-Francorchamps.

There were as few as eight GT2 entries at the recent event in Zandvoort, after previously achieving grids in the mid-teens last year.

After enforcing the series to Bronze-rated drivers only, and selected Silver-rated pilots in a Pro-Am class, SRO will permit Gold and Platinums, paired with an Bronze, as well as the launch of a Silver class for 2026.

It will also be part of the SRO GT Academy program, where the fastest Silver-rated driver racing a Maserati MC20 GT2 or a Mercedes-AMG GT2 will be awarded with a full season GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup drive in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 customer team.

Speaking with reporters during last weekend’s CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, Ratel admitted he had the initial thought of throwing in the towel for GT2 but has decided to give it a new chance with a revitalized format that’s aimed to cater to up-and-coming drivers.

“The temptation is to say, without losing my shirt, with nine, ten or 11 cars, I could just pull the plug,” he said. “But I’m a responsible person.

“I’ve sold GT2 very hard to the likes of Mercedes-AMG and Maserati; they produce cars.

“It would be difficult to say, ‘Thank you very much but I’m going to do something else.’ We really discussed with them… and [decided to] push it on a different angle.

“It’s true that SRO is not really the world of gentlemen drivers anymore, especially GT World Challenge, where you have a lot of young people.

“To make a bridge between GT4 and GT3, with GT2, and with this prize, which is quite a big prize.

“I really want to thank Pirelli for helping us, Mercedes-AMG and Maserati, to finance the drive into an AMG team in 2027.”

Ratel admitted that they “really wanted” to position GT2 for the “older gentlemen” drivers, but has seen numbers dwindle, not just in the GT2 European Series, but several other SRO-run championships in Europe this year.

“After four years of trying, we came to about 14-16 cars but if you look, with the only exception of GTWC Europe, let’s face it, everything has gone down,” said Ratel.

“France (FFSA GT) in two years we have lost 50 percent of the grid. The UK, in one year, we have lost 33 percent of the grid. We had 36 cars last year and are at 22 this year [in British GT]. In GT4 [European Series] we have ten less cars than last year.

“If you lose 33 percent of your grid and you’re at 36, you still have an OK grid to go racing. If you have 15 cars, you lose 33 [percent], you end up with ten cars.

“It’s a combination of the general environment and the fact that it hasn’t worked in this formula. Let’s change the formula and see if it will attract people.”

He added: “At the end of the day [GT2 European Series] was very restrictive. We want to open it and then we hope [it will grow].

“It’s no secret GT3 is getting more expensive. These [GT2] cars are good looking, they’re fast, they sound good and have good brands. It should work.”

Ratel pointed to the recent launch of the Ginetta GT2, and potentially another constructor of a similar scale, as areas of optimism for the platform.

“I have to say that Ginetta really looks good,” he said. “It’s cost-effective and should be performing. With these type of cars, they have a lower budget, I think it can work.

“I also have interest from a couple of constructors. One could be announced shortly.

“We will see. We’re giving it a try. We’re changing. I’m not just going to abandon GT2 without having tried something else. We will try this and let’s hope it will work.”

Ratel said that any other GT2 manufacturer that helps support the budget for the Silver driver’s 2027 Mercedes-AMG GT3 drive would also permit their brand’s drivers to be eligible for the prize.

“For the moment it’s being supported by Maserati and Mercedes-AMG,” he said. “For the moment, the driver that comes from these two brands.

“But newcomers like Ginetta, we offer them to support it and their drivers could also go to the big prize.

“We hope that will be motivating some people.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John