GT Europe delivers chaotic race in Italy with new pit stop rules Hong Kong’s Hui retains championship lead in Bronze Cup #93 Sky Tempesta Ferrari 296 GT3 secures important points going into final 2 races
The Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS delivered yet another thrilling race at the renowned “Temple of Speed” in Monza, as over 50 cars battled for supremacy in the 3-hour endurance round. Jonathan Hui (HKG) entered the penultimate European race of the season leading the Overall Bronze Cup Standings. Alongside teammates Eddie Cheever III (ITA) and Chris Froggatt (GBR) in the #93 Ferrari 296 GT3, the Hong Kong driver secured a P4 finish in the Bronze class, earning valuable points in his championship quest. Already ahead in the Overall Standings, this result also propelled Hui to the top of the Endurance Cup Standings.
With world-class talent competing in the Fanatec GT Europe series, every race promises excitement. Hui’s primary objective for the weekend was to score points and maintain his lead in the Driver Standings. The trio faced difficulties in Qualifying, managing only an average time that placed them P28 overall and P5 in the Bronze class. With 51 cars fighting for track space, finding a clean lap was a significant challenge.
Starting deep in the field, Froggatt was entrusted with navigating the chaotic opening laps. As several cars collided into the first chicane, the British driver skillfully avoided major issues. Although running P24 overall, the Sky Tempesta Racing team recognised that the newly implemented three-pit-stop rule, as opposed to the usual two, would provide opportunities to make up ground.
Hui took over for the second stint, posting competitive lap times and steadily closing in on the class podium positions. Despite multiple cautions due to on-track incidents, Hui stayed focused and pushed hard throughout his stint.
The unpredictability of the race came into sharp focus in the final third, as several drivers were forced into an additional stop. Sky Tempesta Racing made a strategic gamble to maximise their position, which nearly paid off in the closing moments. Cheever climbed to P4, just behind the P3 Bronze class car. Unfortunately, time ran out before he could make the pass, with the #93 Ferrari missing a podium finish by a mere five-tenths of a second and placed P12 overall.
Despite falling short of the podium, Hui and his teammates secured a solid points haul, elevating their position from 2nd to 1st in the Endurance Bronze Cup Standings while maintaining their advantage in the Overall Bronze Cup Standings. With just two races remaining, Hui is now focused on sealing the deal and claiming back-to-back championships in the European GT racing series. His next challenge comes in a few weeks at the Sprint Cup race in Barcelona.
