GT World Challenge round-up: Verstappen Racing looses victory, Grasser Racing Team takes P1

Dennis Marschall started from pole in the #74 Kessel Racing Ferrari and led the early stages ahead of Bastian Buus in the #89 Lionspeed GP Porsche. Both were competing in the Bronze Cup and had to serve the mandatory minimum pit-stop time for their class, meaning the fight for the overall victory was taking place further back.

Several incidents caused drama on the opening lap, with title contenders Charles Weerts and Kelvin van der Linde among those hitting trouble in the #32 Team WRT BMW. After a short safety-car period, the race resumed and the decisive phase began around the mandatory pit stops.

Emil Frey Racing produced a strong stop to send Lulham out in the lead in the #69 Ferrari after taking over from Vermeulen. Once the Bronze Cup runners had made their stops, Lulham moved to the front and quickly opened a commanding advantage. He eventually crossed the line more than 14 seconds clear.

Behind him, Pepper put the #63 Grasser Racing Lamborghini under pressure before passing Louis Prette's #58 Garage 59 McLaren with only two minutes remaining. That move ultimately proved decisive.

Max Verstappen's GT3 team competes in the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup, with the series’ final rounds taking place this weekend at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo near Valencia. In Race 1, the #69 Emil Frey Racing car running under the Verstappen.com Racing banner crossed the finish line in first place with Thierry Vermeulen and Chris Lulham behind the steering wheel.

However, the team was under investigation for setting an improved sector time under yellow flags, leading to a drive through penalty. Since the team made no further pit stops, the penalty was converted into a 26-second time penalty, relegating the #69 Ferrari 296 GT3 to fourth place overall, and second in the Gold Cup.

On Sunday, the team qualified in ninth position at the Spanish track.

The four-time world champion will be able to compete at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring next year after he obtained a DMSB Permit Nordschleife last Saturday.

While it is conceivable that he will first compete with a GT3 car at the 'Green Hell' only then, it is likely that he will return sooner to drive at a shorter event.

Inside the paddock last weekend, there were rumours that this would take place on 27 September. Should that not happen, 11 October is an alternative option.

While his GT3 team is contesting Race 2 in Valencia, Max Verstappen will start from pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this afternoon.

In a chaotic session, the Dutchman managed to put a strong lap together and finished ahead of Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson.

With tricky conditions, it could be a difficult race for the drivers today in Azerbaijan.

Wind is set to be the biggest curveball this Sunday, after many competitors reported gusts during qualifying as well.

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