Schandorff Staying “Super Sharp” in Triple Ferrari Program

Photo: Fabian Lagunas/SRO

Frederik Schandorff said he’s been enjoying juggling his triple program in Ferrari 296 GT3 Evos around the world, as it makes himself a “super sharp” driver.

The 29-year-old Dane is not only competing this year in GT World Challenge America powered by AWS with AF Corse but also contesting season-long programs in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup with Inception Racing and Selected Car Racing, respectively.

It’s added up to a busy season for Schandorff, who by the end of the year will do more than 20 races behind the wheel of a Ferrari.

Schandorff enters this weekend’s GTWC America round at Sebring International on the heels of seven races in the last eight weeks at Sebring (IMSA), Sonoma Raceway (GTWC America), Paul Ricard (GTWC Europe), Long Beach (IMSA), Circuit of The Americas (GTWC America) and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (IMSA).

“It’s very busy but really, really fun,” he told Sportscar365. “I really love being in the car, working with different teams and different drivers as well.

“I think it’s makes me super sharp. Every time I jump in the car, it takes me two or three laps and then I basically will be straight up to pace.

“It’s great doing all of these championships, even if it’s with different tires.

“This year, I’m trying to only do the same brand and car that’s going to help me as well.

“It’s helped me transferring a lot good stuff we learn in Inception, I can also bring some of it to AF Corse and I can also sometimes take something I learned with AF Corse to bring to IMSA.

“I think it’s a good thing for both packages that we’re actually ending up being quicker in both places.

“That’s really fun and I really enjoy racing in all kind of championship.”

Schandorff, who has made his GTWC America debut this year with co-driver Matias Perez Companc in the Pro class aboard an AF Corse Ferrari, said his transition to SRO America competition has been made easier by his previous GTWC experience in Europe, as well as knowledge of many of the U.S. tracks through his long-standing program with Inception.

He and Companc are currently tied for second in the Pro points standings entering Saturday evening’s three-hour race at Sebring.

“For sure it’s easier,” said Schandorff. “I’m really sad we didn’t have the opportunity to finish the [Twelve Hours of Sebring]. I would have loved to have given [Antonio] Fuoco a good fight in the end. We were on similar speed there and he’s a tough driver.

“Hopefully now we can still take that momentum I had from Sebring. We were doing a really good job in practice and at the test as well.

“I’m just excited to get back on this circuit. It’s super fun to drive.”

Schandorff said he’s especially proud when he’s able to benchmark himself up against factory drivers, particularly those in the same equipment.

For instance, he set the quickest time in a Ferrari at last month’s GTWC Europe Endurance Cup season-opener at Paul Ricard, in a field that featured the likes of Alessio Rovera, Nicklas Nielsen and Arthur Leclerc.

“For me, it’s been really good to race more against these factory drivers, which is obviously what you want to be compared to,” he said.

Sanctioning Bodies Need to “Make Agreement” Not to Clash With Major Events

Schandorff is hoping that SRO Europe and IMSA will work closer together in the future to prevent clashes between the two championships.

For instance, the Dane is set to miss next month’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen due to his full season GTWC Europe Endurance Cup commitments that includes the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.

“Unfortunately I think SRO [Europe] and IMSA haven’t done a great job with clashes, especially Spa.

“That’s something, for the future, that both of the championships needs to make an agreement on, there shouldn’t be any clashes with the endurance rounds of IMSA and the [GT World Challenge Europe] Endurance.

“Especially Spa, there’s so many drivers, even GTP/Hypercar drivers that want to do Spa as well. I think it’s bad for everyone that it’s a clash.

“That’s one thing I would love in the future.”

He is also slated to miss the GTWC America round at Road America for the GTWC Europe Endurance Cup round at the Nürburgring in late August, which is another overlapping weekend.

“I’m really happy that both teams, in GT World Challenge America, and Brendan [Iribe] is allowing me to do that so I can do Spa and the full [GTWC Europe Endurance Cup] championship.”

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