Brands Hatch – Race 1: AF Corse wins thanks to Rovera and Abril

• The 2025 Sprint Cup season in GT World Challenge Europe is underway! Brands Hatch has the honor of opening the ball, three weeks after the opening round in Endurance Cup at Paul-Ricard. And for the first race of the weekend, held this Sunday at noon, it's the Ferrari AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors No. 51 which won in the hands of Vincent Abril and Alessio Rovera.
• Starting on the front row, the Italian lost a position at the start to Marvin Kirchhöfer (McLaren Garage 59 No. 59) and found himself stuck behind the leading duo during his stint. It was during the pit stops that the race was decided: thanks to a overcut and a quick stop, Vincent Abril set off again just ahead of Chris Lulham and his Emil Frey Racing Ferrari n°69, who had started from pole position with Thierry Vermeulen. The Monegasque driver held on until the checkered flag to claim this first victory of the season.
• While his teammate was leading the race before the pit stops, Chris Lulham was unable to maintain his 2nd place until the finish, defeated by Benjamin Goethe in the second part of the race. The top 3 was therefore completed by the Garage 59 McLaren No. 59 in 2nd position and the Emil Frey Racing Ferrari No. 69 on the 3rd and final step of the podium. Thierry Vermeulen and Chris Lulham, however, won the race in the Gold Cup category, while the Porsche Rutronik Racing No. 97 of Eshan Pieris and Loek Hartog won the Silver Cup.

GT World Challenge Europe – Brands Hatch
Race 1 – Ranking

ALSO READ > The weekend TV program – May 2 to 4