Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Sunday 1st December: The inaugural SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 concluded last night with a spectacular finish at the iconic Jeddah Corniche Circuit, as Ferrari’s AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors clinched both the teams’ and drivers’ titles in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS. Spanning two thrilling days of non-stop racing action, the event showcased two premier motorsport competitions racing on the world’s fastest street circuit for the first time.
Headlining the weekend was the six-hour endurance race – the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS. Covering 1,000 kilometre, this was the longest circuit race ever held in Saudi Arabia. Complementing this was the GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club, further enhancing the weekend’s offering to fans in the grandstands and those watching at home. Renowned as the fastest street circuit in the world, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit proved a fitting stage for this extraordinary motorsport event.
Earlier in the day, three intense Qualifying sessions determined the starting grid for the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS. AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors, with drivers Alessio Rovera, Vincent Abril, and Alessandro Pier Guidi in a Ferrari 296 GT3, secured pole position. They were followed by the GRT – Grasser Racing Team in a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 and Tresor Attempto Racing in an Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II, completing the top three positions.
After six demanding hours and 160 laps filled with on-track battles and drama, the Mercedes-AMG Mann-Filter Team emerged victorious. Drivers Maro Engel, Daniel Morad, and Lucas Auer delivered a flawless performance in their Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, clinching the race win. Following closely, the GRT team secured second place, with drivers Franck Perera, Marco Mapelli, and Jordan Pepper demonstrating remarkable skill and consistency. Completing the podium were AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors, whose strong third-place finish underscored a stellar season, securing both the teams’ and drivers’ titles in the process.
In the afternoon, the GT4 European Series concluded its season with high-stakes action in the second and final race of Round 6. Benjamin Lariche and Robert Consani of “Team Speedcar,” driving an Audi R8 LMS GT4, claimed victory, marking their fourth consecutive win. Close behind were Ricardo Van der Ende and Benjamin Lessennes of team L’Espace Bienvenue in a BMW M4 GT4 G82, with Jamie Day and Matéo Villagomez from Racing Spirit of Léman in an Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 EVO finishing third.
The GT4 European Series season’s champions were crowned after the race. Josh Rattican and Tom Lebbon of Elite Motorsport secured the Silver category title through exceptional consistency, while Finn Zulauf and Max Kronberg of W&S Motorsport won the Pro-Am championship with an impressive campaign. In the Am category, Schumacher CLRT’s Pascal Huteau and Laurent Hurgon claimed top honours, capping off a memorable season.
The SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 has cemented Saudi Arabia’s place on the global motorsport map, celebrating the exceptional talent of drivers and the technological excellence on display. With world-class performances and the unique backdrop of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the event delivered an unforgettable motorsport spectacle.
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About SMC
SMC is the dedicated commercial entity established to bring the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s motorsport events under a single umbrella and is the first body in Saudi Arabia dedicated to commercialising motorsport at a national level.
SMC acts as the local promoter for KSA’s growing motorsports events portfolio which currently includes the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the world-renowned Dakar Rally as well as an annual round of the ground-breaking Extreme E series.
These recurring major motorsports events are delivering directly against the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 with each committed to long-term deals that have helped Saudi Arabia to develop an unrivalled portfolio that is not replicated anywhere else in the world.
