The GT World Challenge Europe – Endurance Cup concludes its thrilling season with a grand finale at the Jeddah Circuit in Saudi Arabia. This state-of-the-art track, inaugurated in 2021, will serve as the battleground for some of the most intense racing of the year. Stretching over 6.174 km along the Corniche Road and overlooking the Red Sea, the street circuit features a staggering 27 corners, challenging drivers and teams alike in their pursuit of glory.
This final round of the series features 49 GT3-class cars vying for the Endurance Cup titles. With Ferrari still in contention for both the Drivers’ and Team championships in the Pro and Bronze classes, stakes are high. The six-hour race is set to start at 5 p.m. local time on Saturday, November 30, promising high-octane action from start to finish.
Pro Class: Ferrari’s Fight for Glory
In the Pro class, two Ferrari 296 GT3s, both fielded by the AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors team, will lead the charge. The #51 Ferrari returns with its all-Italian crew of Davide Rigon, Alessandro Pier Guidi, and Alessio Rovera. Having competed in every round except Monza, this trio remains a formidable force. Pier Guidi and Rovera, currently second in the championship standings, are just three points behind the leaders, keeping their title hopes alive.
Meanwhile, the #71 Ferrari, the sister car, will feature Prancing Horse official driver Thomas Neubauer, alongside Vincent Abril and David Vidales. This lineup brings experience and consistency, which could prove pivotal on race day.
In the Team standings, AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors holds a razor-thin one-point lead over their closest competitors, adding even more tension to the championship battle.
Bronze Class: A Close Contest
The Bronze class sees four Ferrari 296 GT3s in action, blending professional talent with gentleman drivers. Leading the standings is the #93 Sky Tempesta Racing Ferrari, driven by Jonathan Hui, Christopher Froggatt, and Eddie Cheever. This trio has displayed consistent performance throughout the season, amassing 65 points. They hold an eight-point lead over the #52 Ferrari of AF Corse, driven by official driver Andrea Bertolini and the father-and-son duo of Louis and Jef Machiels.
In the Team standings, Sky Tempesta Racing tops the charts with 65 points, maintaining a seven-point margin over AF Corse.
Additional contenders include the #8 Ferrari of Kessel Racing, piloted by Nicolò Rosi, Niccolò Schirò, and David Fumanelli. This crew celebrated a season-opening victory at Le Castellet and will aim to end the season on a high note. Rinaldi Racing’s #333 Ferrari, driven by Christian Hook, David Perel, and Felipe Fernandez Laser, rounds out the Bronze class entries, bringing their own mix of skill and determination to the grid.
Schedule of Events
The action kicks off on Thursday, November 28, with a Bronze Test session from 8:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. On Friday, November 29, teams will participate in free practice sessions from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by pre-qualifying from 8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Saturday, November 30, will feature qualifying sessions from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. These sessions, divided into three 15-minute segments, will see each driver in a crew take a turn to establish their team’s starting grid position. The grand finale, a six-hour endurance race, begins at 5 p.m.
High Stakes and Anticipation
With multiple titles hanging in the balance, the Jeddah Circuit promises an electrifying conclusion to the GT World Challenge Europe – Endurance Cup. Ferrari, with its rich racing heritage, stands poised to make its mark in both the Pro and Bronze categories. Fans worldwide can look forward to a thrilling display of speed, strategy, and endurance as the best drivers and teams battle for supremacy.
The Jeddah finale isn’t just the end of a season; it’s a showcase of motorsport at its finest. As the sun sets over the Red Sea on November 30, the world’s attention will be fixed on this high-stakes showdown, where champions will be crowned, and racing history will be written.
