Jules Gounon did not miss his return to AKKA-ASP

We were waiting for him at the forefront, Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo n°88 did not disappoint for the opening of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup last weekend in Monza.

With its 100% official trio composed of Jules Gounon, Dani Juncadella and Raffaele Marciello at Monza, the team's top car AKKA-ASP made an impression in the face of the challenge posed by the track conditions on Sunday.

From qualifying, the n°88 climbed to the front row, failing by 7 thousandths in the total of three times against the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo n°63 – FFF Racing, Jules Gounon also setting a new track record in 1 '46″442.

In the race, Jérôme Policand's team was able to get rid of the traps presented by the arrival of the rain, avoiding both track exits and punctures. If “Lello” Marciello was able to rise to the top after the problems of the cutting-edge Lamborghini, it is the Porsche 911 GT3 R n°54 – Dinamic Motorsport which had emerged at the front after the second round of stops under Full Course Yellow.

Second at the time of starting the final stint, Jules Gounon then seems in a position to play for victory against Klaus Bachler in the 911 of the Italian team, especially as a final neutralization narrows the gaps. But the Frenchman will never be able to worry Bachler.

© SRO Motorsports

“We lacked a bit of pace, but we knew that Monza is not the track that gives the car the most advantage, the ex-Bentley driver commented with us. To finish 2nd here, with two of our main rivals having problems, is important and we can build something from this result.

My relay was not easy, because we had very little aero, thinking that the weather would remain dry. Behind me, the Lamborghini and the Ferrari were really fast. But for my first outing with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, it's really good. »

AKKA-ASP and Jules Gounon will return to the Endurance Cup in a little over a month at Paul Ricard, where the Ardéchois won in 2019 with Bentley.

Discover the full report of the 3 Hours of Monza, produced by our special correspondent in Italy, in issue 2308 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version and on newsstands.