Schiller Tops Test Times In Al Manar Racing by HRT Mercedes-AMG

43 cars took to the track at Paul Ricard over the past two days with 14 hours of track time spread over four sessions for the official pre-season test days of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Nine GT3 brands ran in perfect spring weather and almost uninterrupted green flag conditions throughout, […]

43 cars took to the track at Paul Ricard over the past two days with 14 hours of track time spread over four sessions for the official pre-season test days of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS

Nine GT3 brands ran in perfect spring weather and almost uninterrupted green flag conditions throughout, an excellent outing for the teams to adapt to the new Pirelli P Zero DHF slick tyre that will be used in 2022.

Several drivers made their official series debuts at Circuit Paul Ricard, including nine-time motorcycle grand prix world champion Valentino Rossi. The Italian also revealed the livery for his #46 Team WRT Audi on Monday afternoon, while several other cars arrived at the test carrying fresh colours.

There were new and returning teams in the paddock, too. Lamborghini squads Vincenzo Sospiri Racing, AGS Events, Leipert Motorsport and GSM Novamarine were all part of a renewed line-up for the Italian marque, while Beechdean AMR was on-track with Aston Martin machinery. JP Motorsport ran extensively with its pair of McLarens, the all-female Iron Dames squad gained significant mileage with its Ferrari, and Tresor by Car Collection showed excellent pace with its new Audi.

The fastest lap of the test was posted by the #777 Al Manar Racing by HRT Mercedes-AMG. Fabian Schiller was at the wheel, setting a 1:52.533s on Tuesday morning.

Indeed Mercedes AMG runners set the fastest times in three of the four sessions of the test, the only time that the brand did not finish on top was Tuesday afternoon, when Saintéloc Racing led the way with its #25 Audi. Porsche, Bentley and BMW were also present at the test, the latter represented by its new M4 GT3 model in the hands of ROWE Racing though the German team were unable to run on Tuesday after a crew member tested positive for COVID-19..

The 2022 season will launch with a three-hour Endurance Cup contest at Imola on 1-3 April, while the opening Sprint Cup event will take the series to Brands Hatch on 30 April/1 May. With a packed grids confirmed for both, yet another exciting season is in prospect for Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS.

GTWCE Paul Ricard Test – Tues AM Session

GTWCE Paul Ricard Test – Tues PM session