- Record-breaking 40-car Fanatec GT Sprint Cup grid featuring eight brands
- Fanatec GT Endurance Cup at full strength with 56 entries
- Prologue underway at Circuit Paul Ricard ahead of season opener at Monza on 21–23 April
Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS has revealed exceptional entry lists for the 2023 season, with a record 40-car grid set to contest the Fanatec GT Sprint Cup and 56 cars competing for Fanatec GT Endurance Cup honours.
Revealed during the official prologue at Circuit Paul Ricard, this year's line-up features machinery from eight world-renowned brands. German marques Audi, BMW, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche will be out in force during 2023, as will iconic Italian manufacturers Ferrari and Lamborghini. McLaren machinery remains popular, while Honda makes a welcome return to the Fanatec GT Europe paddock.
The success of the Fanatec GT Sprint Cup represents the biggest development, with this year's grid representing an increase of 15 cars compared with 2022. Due to space restrictions at Brands Hatch and Zandvoort, the new Bronze Cup class will contest its Sprint season over three events. As such the full 40-car field is set to compete at Misano, Hockenheim and Valencia.
The Fanatec GT Endurance Cup has continued to build on the high level achieved during recent seasons, attracting its biggest entry list since 2017. This number is set to increase further at the marquee CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, which this year celebrates its 75th edition on 29 June – 2 July. These are the teams that will chase Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS glory in 2023.
AUDI (R8 LMS GT3 EVO II)
- Most successful brand in Sprint and Endurance well placed to add more silverware
- 11 Sprint Cup entries | 11 Endurance Cup entries
Audi Sport remains the most popular brand in the Fanatec GT Sprint Cup and shares the same honour in the Endurance Cup. The new Boutsen VDS partnership will field a pair of full-season cars, while Saintéloc Junior Team will have three Sprint Cup entries and two at Endurance events. Series debutant Comtoyou Racing and the new Tresor Attempto Racing alliance will each field three full-season efforts, the latter running a Pro car under the Tresor Orange1 banner. CSA Racing plans to run a further R8 in the Endurance Cup, ensuring that Audi has an impressive 11 cars in each discipline.
BMW (M4 GT3)
- Significantly expanded entry for Bavarian manufacturer
- 5 Sprint Cup entries | 8 Endurance Cup entries
The BMW M4 GT3 looks set to be a serious contender this term following a successful debut in 2022. The attack is led by Team WRT, which has confirmed a four-car line-up that will contest the full 10-round championship. Walkenhorst Motorsport will field a full-season entry plus an additional car at Fanatec GT Endurance Cup events, while ROWE Racing maintains a two-car programme in the long-distance championship. With extra firepower, BMW will be aiming for titles this year – and perhaps a record-extending 25th overall victory at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.
FERRARI (296 GT3 / 488 GT3)
- Strong representation for new 296 GT3
- 4 Sprint Cup entries | 4 Endurance Cup entries
The aggressive new Ferrari 296 GT3 will carry the Italian brand's hopes this term and looks capable of emulating its illustrious predecessor, the 488 GT3. AF Corse will field a trio of cars at Fanatec GT Endurance Cup events, with its Bronze Cup crew also contesting the Sprint Cup. A second AF Corse Ferrari will contest the short-format series where it will seek to defend the Italian squad's Silver Cup title. ST Racing by Rinaldi adds another Endurance car and will initially use the previous generation 488, while Emil Frey Racing will field a pair of crews in the Sprint Cup.
HONDA (NSX GT3)
- Japanese manufacturer returns to Fanatec GT Europe with Nova Race
- 2 Sprint Cup entries
Honda makes a popular return to the Fanatec GT Europe grid this season with a pair of Sprint Cup entries from series newcomer Nova Race. The Italian squad will field the latest-generation NSX GT3 in the short-format championship, competing for Silver Cup honours with a quartet of young talents. This will mark the maiden outing for Honda in the Sprint Cup and the Japanese brand's first Fanatec GT Europe involvement since a top-10 finish at the 2020 24 Hours of Spa.
LAMBORGHINI (HURACÁN GT3 EVO2)
- New and returning teams put faith in upgraded Huracán
- 4 Sprint Cup entries | 8 Endurance Cup entries
Lamborghini can count on an impressive line-up this season. Iron Lynx will lead its Fanatec GT Endurance Cup effort with two cars, as well as the sister Iron Dames entry. Grasser Racing will bring two more crews to the long-distance championship, while K-PAX Racing, AGS Events and Barwell Motorsport each add one-car Endurance Cup entries. In the Sprint Cup, VSR will deploy a trio of crews, while GSM AB1 GT3 Team will return with a single-car effort. As such hopes will be high that the new machine can bring more silverware back to Sant'Agata Bolognese.
MCLAREN (720S GT3 EVO)
- Legendary supercar manufacturer draws strong entry with latest-spec model
- 4 Sprint Cup entries | 5 Endurance Cup entries
The sole British marque on the 2023 grid, McLaren will compete with an upgraded version of its popular 720S model this season. The brand's presence remains strong, with five teams ready to chase glory. Garage 59 has confirmed a pair of full-season entries and will be joined by two JP Motorsport crews in the Fanatec GT Sprint Cup. At Endurance rounds the McLaren contingent will be bolstered by the continuing Optimum Motorsport, series newcomer 7TSIX, and Sky Tempesta Racing, the latter working in partnership with Garage 59.
MERCEDES-AMG (AMG GT3)
- Strong representation for 2022 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa winner
- 6 Sprint Cup entries | 11 Endurance Cup entries
Mercedes-AMG enjoyed a superb 2022, which included overall victory at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa and the global Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS title. This year the Affalterbach concern is represented by six full-season crews, with two each from Akkodis ASP and Haupt Racing Team plus single-car efforts from new entrant Theeba Motorsport and the popular Madpanda Motorsport. There are further Endurance Cup programmes from GetSpeed, which has expanded to a three-car assault that includes the Mercedes-AMG Team Al Manar Racing by GetSpeed effort, and a pair of entries from Winward Racing. Those numbers suggest that yet more success is within grasp in 2023.
PORSCHE (911 GT3 R)
- Stuttgart marque heads into 2023 with new 911 GT3 R
- 4 Sprint Cup entries | 9 Endurance Cup entries
The new-spec Porsche 911 GT3 R has doubled the brand's numbers in both Sprint and Endurance. Dinamic GT Huber Racing will field two full-season entries and an extra crew at Fanatec GT Endurance Cup rounds. Series newcomers Pure Rxcing and CLRT will also run the full campaign, the latter led by two-time Fanatec GT Endurance Cup champion Côme Ledogar. There will be further Endurance entries from Car Collection Motorsport, Herberth Motorsport, Rutronik Racing and Team Parker Racing, giving Porsche an impressive nine-car line-up in the long-distance championship.
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Stephane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO: “I am delighted to present our 2023 entry lists, which are highlighted by an exceptional Fanatec GT Sprint Cup grid. That we have 40 cars committed to the series for the first time ever is something very special and I must thank all the teams that have placed their trust in us this season. The Fanatec GT Endurance Cup field retains the same extremely high standard that we have come to expect and I know that we can look forward to a particularly impressive grid at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. Though we are very pleased with what has been achieved over the winter, the hard work does not stop here. Now we must remain humble and deliver the season that our competitors, partners and fans deserve. Thank you to all who have helped to make these grids a reality."
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The 2023 Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS season gets underway with a three-hour Endurance Cup race at Monza on 21–23 April, while the Sprint Cup campaign launches at Brands Hatch on 13–14 May. Tickets these and other several events – including the marquee CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa – are on sale now.
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