Photo: Gruppe C Photography
Lamborghini factory drivers Christian Engelhart, Marco Mapelli and Franck Perera will spearhead GRT Grasser Racing Team’s effort in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup.
The three drivers will pilot the No. 163 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 for the five-round championship, which kicks off with the Paul Ricard 500km on April 6-7.
The Austrian squad will field one of two Pro entries for Lamborghini as part of the 55-car grid alongside Iron Lynx.
It will mark the team’s return to the class for the first time since 2019, having mainly run cars in the Silver Cup category in recent years.
Engelhart, who was announced to be returning to Lamborghini’s factory driver roster in December, formed part of Grasser’s last Pro effort in Endurance Cup and was also a member of the lineup that won the title in 2017.
Perera and Mapelli, meanwhile, move across to Grasser after racing with K-PAX Racing last year, with the American squad not returning for a second full season campaign.
In addition to its Pro entry, the Gottfried Grasser-led stable will also field a second car in the Silver Cup class, where it won the title in 2023.
Former IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship racer and Italian GT race winner Mateo Llarena will team up with Hugo Cook and Kuwaiti racer Haytham Qarajouli.
“We are extremely proud to be competing in the Endurance Cup this year with such a strong line-up,” said team principal Gottfried Grasser.
“Endurance racing has always been part of our team’s DNA, which we were able to prove once again last year with the Silver Cup championship.
“After winning the title, we are of course hungry for more in 2024, which is why we are all the more delighted to be competing in the Pro category again with the fantastic support of Lamborghini Squadra Corse and our new partners from Mountain Wolf.
“Christian, Marco and Franck are absolute professionals and with three factory drivers of this quality we feel we are ideally positioned for this challenge.
“In addition, we have a driver pairing with promising rookies in the Silver Cup.
“Hugo, Mateo and Haytham have made a great impression on the career ladder and we will do everything we can to support them with top material to realise their potential in the highly competitive Endurance Cup.
“Many thanks to all our partners and sponsors for making this project possible.”
GT World Challenge America
Sebring Thursday Notebook
24H Le Mans
Siegel, Garg to Make Le Mans Debut With United
GT World Challenge America
Sellers: DXDT “Ready” for Corvette Z06 GT3.R Debut
Pirelli GT4 America
Thompson With “High Hopes” for Silver Class Title Run
GT World Challenge America
Wright Duo Looking to Carry Momentum into Sebring
Intercontinental GT Challenge
HAAS RT to Make 24H Spa Debut With Two-Car Audi Effort
GT World Challenge America
DXDT Forms Sister Team for Mercedes-AMG Program
