Already during the free practice sessions it was apparent that the Audi was at home in the streets of Baku. Both drivers found themselves to be very comfortable on this rather exceptional circuit.

Enzo Ide: “At certain moments somewhat dangerous, but all in all a great circuit. I had fun on it, but it wasn’t an easy track. Luckily with our world champion I had a great teammate, someone I was able to learn a few things from this time around.”

During qualifying the potential of the team, the car and the drivers were immediately proven. The Audi slotted itself into second spot of the timed sessions, an ideal starting point for the Sunday race. Unfortunately a few hours later bad news appeared.

Enzo Ide: “Due to a supposed problem with the rear wing our Phoenix Audi did not pass scrutineering. Winkelhock and I had clocked up the second best time this midday during the qualifying session, but now we see all our hard efforts go down the drain … Unbelievable!”

The races were strong and proved how good the German car’s performance was not forgetting both divers.

 Enzo Ide: “During the first race we set off from the last place on the grid, working our way up to the top-10, a perfect starting point fro the second and most important race of the weekend. Here again in the first instance everything was according to plan, because Markus took over the lead of the race and I had a feeling that we would at least clinch a podium place. But once again the race directors had other ideas, issuing me with an incomprehensible time penalty. For me this is pretty unlikely and I have a nasty feeling which I don’t want to go into further. Things have happened here that are difficult to explain or fathom …”

With this race in Baku for Enzo Ide the 2013 season has come to an end.

 There were tears of joy, hugs and celebrations in the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT’s box after the race and this will be only the start of a long night… Team Principal Vincent Vosse was emotional about what was happening: “What can I say? It’s just fantastic, we are very happy and I feel very proud of the entire team, of all the drivers. We really achieved something. I had the feeling we could do well here, but a street circuit, and a new one on top, is always a tricky thing. It has not been an easy weekend, despite what you could think from the outside, and it was quite eventful. But ultimately everything went well and it’s great to finish on two wins like those. Congratulations to everybody!”

 Laurens Vanthoor and Stéphane Ortelli were … trying to realize what was happening. The young Belgian, for whom this is his first international GT title admitted: “Crossing the line and winning the race and the title is a big emotion. I am happy that it’s over, because I was probably more stressed than I thought about this decisive round. Stéphane helped me a lot in trying not to take things too seriously, but still… And this last race was just crazy, I don’t really understand what happened and was just focusing in not doing mistakes…” Ortelli, on his side, reckoned: “This is probably my nicest international title and it is so because of the family spirit that we have been able to create all together at WRT. I’m really happy for the team, and want to thank everybody, but a big special thanks go to Laurens. Without his youth and speed, I couldn’t make it…”

 The FIA GT Series community got an incredibly warm welcome in Azerbaidjan and the new Baku urban track, which required fine-tuning until the very last minute, proved to be challenging and interesting. Free practice sessions brought their share of issues and work, with scratches and bumps for everybody. The car of Albuquerque-Demoustier reported a broken suspension, while Edward Sandström’s had more serious damage in the front when it collided with a Corvette in one of the chicanes. “I missed the braking point, it was my fault.”

 Qualifying resulted in Rene Rast taking the pole (“I like street circuits and this one is interesting, I think I could have even done better in my best lap”), with Vanthoor in 3^rd, Sandström in 12^th and Albuquerque in 22^nd.

 The Qualifying race, on Sunday morning, started one hour and half late after the track had dried from an unfortunate ‘washing’ with water by the city services during the night. In the meantime, a sanction on the second-fastest car in qualifying had promoted Vanthoor to first row. The two Audis R8 LMS kept control of the race in the initial laps, with Rast preceding Vanthoor. The situation basically did not change after pit stops, as Niki Mayr-Melnhof produced a perfect performance. “The car was very well balanced”, commented an elated Austrian, “I think we did a good job, and I enjoyed the track very much”. Ortelli came in second, while the two other cars, stuck in the mid-grid traffic, couldn’t do much to climb positions. Sandström-Stippler still got the good points of third in the Pro category.

 The Main Race, with again two WRT cars in the front row, was definitely more lively. The Mercedes of Afanasiev created chaos at the first chicane when it hit the side of Mayr-Melnhof’s car, ruining the race of #12 and creating big confusion behind, where Demoustier was one of the victims. Only Ortelli, who had taken the lead from the start, seemed free of trouble, for a short while, as he got almost stopped behind a lapped car two laps later, having to let go two of his purchasers. A safety-car period occurred then and both Ortelli and Sandström decided to pit as it was over. “That was the right strategic decision”, explained later Ortelli. Vanthoor rejoined the race in second and in the closing laps he could pass the leading Mercedes, whose pace had slowed, while at the same time keeping at bay a charging McLaren. “I was keeping a very safe pace and was so focused in avoiding mistakes that I only realized I was in P1 when I was told by the team on the radio”, commented the Belgian Audi Club’s protege. But it was written somewhere that this was to be his day, and everything finished well. It was not a lucky day for Sandström-Stippler, who were slowed by an unidentified technical problem, and finished 4^th in the Pro points, while Rast struggled to bring home the wounded #12.

 The Belgian Audi Club Team WRT can now celebrate and add the FIA GT Series titles to its string of crowns in the Blancpain Endurance Series and in the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Time to say “We’ll be back in 2014!”

“This race was a mirror image of our team’s adventure,” said team manager Philippe Dumas after the finish. “A dash of craziness, a heap of talent, the occasional disappointment and above all, above all, we again proved that we never, ever give up! As the weekend draws to a close and after everything we’ve lived through together over all these years racing in the four corners of the world, today’s result isn’t maybe all that important. We’re still the best team and nobody should have any regrets. I’m proud of this whole adventure and also to have put my trust in an incredible driver, Kevin Estre.”

By cumulating Rob’s fifth-fastest time in the first qualifying session and Kevin’s eighth-quickest lap in the second, the Hexis Racing McLaren was in eighth place on the grid for the qualifying race. Estre did the first stint and he moved up to fifth place thanks to couple of brilliant overtaking manoeuvres. The squad’s pit stop team again did honour to their legend beating their closest rivals by 2.384 seconds changing the wheels! Bell rejoined in third place for his stint, which was marked by a long safety car period and a red flag. The race was restarted for 15 minutes and there were no changes at the front of the field. Rob saw the flag in third place behind two Audis fighting off former Hexis Racing driver Alexander Sims in the process!

Bell also did the first stint in the main race lining up on the inside of the second row. The race got off to a chaotic start due to the very slow pace imposed by the pole sitter, Niki-Mayr-Melnhof. Rob was hemmed in behind the Austrian and he was overtaken by a host of cars, which had made a faster start, as the squabbling field roared down to the first chicane. The Hexis Racing McLaren was tagged on both sides and the Englishman had to do three kilometers with a punctured front tyre before pitting. When he went back out Bell was only able to fight his way back from 23rd to 17th place as the safety car was again deployed after 10-minutes racing. A kerb had to be repaired and the race didn’t restart until the pit stop window opened.

Another hitch hit the French squad when Bell came in for his stop. Rob was delayed at the entrance to the pit lane by a car that had stopped. Although the team achieved another lightning turnabout when changing the wheels around 20 seconds were lost. Estre then began a series of awesome overtaking moves setting mind-boggling lap times as he fought his way up to fourth place behind yet another former Hexis driver, Alvaro Parente. With three laps to go the Portuguese driver felt the threat looming and plunged down the inside to get past Alon Day’s Mercedes-Benz on the run into the hairpin. Kevin took the opportunity to try and slip through the tiny gap as well and rounded the hairpin between the German car and the wall. On the exit from the corner Day hit Parente’s McLaren, which slammed into the right-hand door of Kevin’s car. The French driver managed to continue at unabated speed and crossed the finishing line in an unbelievable second place!

After the race the incident between Day, Parente and Estre was investigated by the Stewards. The Mercedes-Benz driver was given a 10-second penalty for causing an avoidable accident. Kevin got the same fine for exceeding the track limits putting him back to third place. As Philippe Dumas said above, the place on the podium was of secondary importance like the size of the cheque (25 000 euros), as the team’s performance spoke for itself. If Hexis Racing is obliged to quit the racing scene it will have done so on a high note in addition to giving a driver, who certainly has a great future ahead of him, the opportunity to display the full range of his talent!

What is more, they took it in the best possible way, with a thrilling race victory at an adrenalin fuelled final FIA GT Series event of the year. Ortelli and Vanthoor’s title followed the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT’s clinching of the team crown in the qualifying race earlier today. If that were not enough for the Vincent Vosse-led team, they also collected a cool 100,000€ for winning the Baku World Challenge today.

The race started dramatically as Ortelli took the lead, avoiding mayhem behind him as multiple cars touched or ran through the first chicane. Despite losing the lead on lap two, when the Audi R8 LMS ultra lost time avoiding the #21 BMW Sports Trophy Team Brasil car of Ricardo Zonta (BRA) who was recovering from an incident, Ortelli ran solidly in third position.

Judging their pit stop perfectly, after a Safety Car period, Ortelli’s team mate Laurens Vanthoor hunted down the lead car of Alon Day (ISR), who was suffering with a mechanical problem. It was an easy move for the Belgian to take the lead, which he kept to the chequered flag.

The FIA GT Series Pro Cup runners-up for 2013 were Frank Stippler (DEU) and Edward Sandström (SWE), who could only finish 13th when their race was ultimately compromised by time lost after a lengthy pit stop.

For Stéphane Ortelli it was a fifth major GT title success in his career, ensuring he is in the record books as one of the most successful GT racers of the modern times.

Finishing in 2nd place on the road but later penalised at the Baku World Challenge was the Hexis Racing McLaren MP4-12C of Rob Bell (GBR) and Kévin Estre (FRA). It was an exceptional performance by the pair after Bell suffered a puncture after a contact with another car and pitted on lap one.

A well-judged and well drilled pit stop by the Hexis Racing crew allied to a safety car period, ensured that Estre was still in touch with the field. Some scintillating pace from the young Frenchman saw him scythe through the field, cementing his reputation as one of the bright new stars of sprint GT racing.

With just minutes of the race remaining he benefitted from an incident at the first hairpin between Alon Day’s Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 and Alvaro Parente’s (PRT) Sebastien Loeb Racing McLaren MP4-12C to sneak through.

Day and Buhk (DEU) recovered to finish in 3rd position on the road in their HTP Gravity Charouz Mercedes SLS AMG GT3, while Parente and Loeb (FRA) took the chequered flag just behind them in 4th. However after the race 10-second penalties were applied to both the Hexis Racing McLaren and the HTP Gravity Charouz for their part in the above incident. This promoted Loeb and Parente to 2nd place in the offfical result.

After the fraught early laps of the race the battle for the lead had been between the Boutsen Ginion McLaren MP4-12C of Frédéric Vervisch (BEL) which he shares with current up-and-coming single-seater star – Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL) and the Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS ultra of Markus Winkelhock (DEU). However, both the McLaren and the Audi were given drive-through penalties for track infringements and were therefore out of contention.

The other Boutsen Ginion McLaren of Alexander Sims (GBR) and Stef Dusseldorp (NDL) ran strongly early on but lost time and eventually finished in 8th position overall and 6th in the Pro Cup class.

In the Pro Am category the GRT Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini of Hari Proczyk (AUT) and Dominik Baumann (AUT) took the victory, finishing a hugely successful season for the Gottfried Grasser owned and run team. Proczyk finished just three points behind the already crowned champions – Andreas Simonsen (SWE) and Sergei Afanasiev (RUS), who suffered a rare non-finish after suffering damage in an early race incident with pole-sitter – Niki Mayr-Melnhof’s Team WRT Audi R8 LMS ultra. This ended the Austrian’s outside chance of the Pro Cup drivers title.

GRT Grasser Racing’s second Lamborghini, entered for Stefan Rosina (SVK) and Filip Sladecka (SVK), were classified a hugely creditable 6th place overall after a fine drive from 21st place on the starting grid.

A fierce battle with the fellow Lamborgini from the Rodrive team entertained the large Baku crowd but when the latter faded, it was Michael Ammermüller (DEU) who fended off several challenges from Pro category cars to take the Novadriver team’s 4th podium finish of the season.

Henry Hassid (FRA) and Anthony Beltoise (FRA) were satisfied with a podium position on their first visit to the FIA GT Series. Their TDS Racing BMW Z4 enjoyed a clean race to finish their Baku adventure strongly.

Taking a double win this weekend in the Gentlemen Trophy class were Federico Leo (ITA) and Claudio Sdanewitsch (DEU) in the AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia. However, unlike the qualifying race they had to overcome some adversity when a pit stop infringement led to a drive through penalty.

Taking the final Pit Stop challenge award of the year was the crew of the #9 Sebastien Loeb Racing McLaren MP4-12C.

The grand finale of the 2013 FIA GT Series season saw stunning on-track excitement, a large crowd and new champions crowned on the spectacular streets of Baku, Azerbaijan. With the series becoming the Blancpain Sprint in 2014 and with an enticing prize fund package, there will be even more top class supercar action to look forward to the next season.

QUOTES

Stéphane Ortelli, Belgian Audi Club Team WRT – Audi R8 LMS Ultra #12 (Pro Cup)

“First of all I think that I could have not done it without Laurens’ speed and talent, I think that at his age I was far from being so good, so I really want to say thank you to him. I would also like to congratulate Belgian Audi Club Team WRT. I am just speechless, it is so nice to win the championship with WRT and Audi, and especially a race win at the end, I still cannot believe that we won that race. I am very happy.”

Kévin Estre, Hexis Racing – McLaren MP4-12C #27 (Pro Cup)

“To be honest, during my stint I did not really know in which position I was. I saw that I had some fast cars in front of me so I thought that I might have been in a good position. Alon (Day) was on the way in to Turn 3, and then Alvaro (Parente) made a move on the inside, which I expected, so I went close to his bumper. Alvaro passed, and Alon was in the middle, I was on the inside next to his car but we touched a little bit. I was a bit concerned about the car because it was a huge hit but it was just in the middle (of the car).

“It really is a fantastic result for the team, especially after the incident at the start, so I am very happy.”

Maximilian Buhk, HTP Gravity Charouz – Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 #1 (Pro Cup)

“For me, the weekend started quite badly, we did not practice a lot, we missed half of the second free practice and then I did a mistake during qualifying.

“After the Safety Car, which was very long, I could overtake the #9 Loeb car, and managed to get quite a big gap. After the pit stop, I hoped that the car would still be OK because we got some alarm in the car, but still Alon (Day) did great. It is a very good end of the season!”

Hari Proczyk, GRT Grasser Racing Team – Lamborghini LP560-4 #25 (Pro Am Cup)

“It was a big surprise that we finished in 5th place overall today, but I am really happy that the weekend is over. After the poor qualifying and the first race, we did not expect this result. This is a very good team job today; my team manager told me that I was 30-40 seconds ahead of the Novadriver, so I was relaxed for the last 4-5 laps. Overall, I really would like to thank everyone because it all worked well, which is for me the most important thing of the weekend.”

Cesar Campanico, Novadriver – Audi R8 LMS Ultra #14 (Pro Am Cup)

“Michael took the start of the qualifying race and he did great, as after the pit stop we were P11 while we started from 19th position. But unfortunately at the restart somebody pushed me into the wall.
The team did brilliantly to repair the car but in the main race, at the hairpin, a car spun in front of me so I lost positions but I kept the car safe on the track and we got a nice result again.”

Anthony Beltoise, TDS Racing – BMW E89 Z4 #45 (Pro Am Cup)

“It was a very big challenge for us, because it was our first race in FIA GT Series, and for me it was the first race in the BMW so for sure the beginning of the weekend was difficult, as I had to learn the car and the track. We are very happy to get this result, be on the podium and in the top 10. So, it is very nice to be together again. The team did a very good job and we are very happy.”

Claudio Sdanewitsch, AF Corse – Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 (Gentlemen Trophy)

“I did not expect to achieve a good result in Baku because it was my first street race. I tried to stay out of trouble at the start of this race, because it was a mess. I knew that I had about ten cars behind me. I tried to overtake but also to stay out of troubles and I managed to do that very well and was able to give the car to Federico (Leo) after the Safety Car period. Unfortunately I was blocked in the pit lane entry, behind a car that was stopped, and I was not able to go around it so I lost about 15 seconds because of that. It is a shame because we could have been in the top 10 again after Navarra in September but I am still very happy with the team effort this weekend.”

Starting on pole position will be the #12 Team WRT Audi R8 LMS of Rene Rast (DEU) and Niki-Mayr Melnhof (AUT) after Rast set a scorching best lap around the undulating 4.38kms track of 1m42.551s. The lap was six-tenths of a second faster than the second placed Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS ultra of Markus Winkelhock (DEU), who shares with team mate Enzo Ide (BEL). The German set a best lap of 1m43.062s.

Rast was clearly the quickest man throughout the session, setting a host of purple sector times in his committed seven lap run. The German delighted his team after they had affected repairs from free practice incidents and the pole position gives a glimmer of light to his team mate Mayr-Melnhof’s slim Pro Cup title chances.

Stéphane Ortelli (MCO) and Laurens Vanthoor (BEL) in the #11 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audi R8 LMS Ultra made it an all-Audi top three in qualifying at Baku today. The Pro Cup category leaders have a 5-point lead over team mates Edward Sandström (SWE) and Frank Stippler (DEU) in the #13 Audi. The title leaders gained an early advantage after Sandström was adjudged to have caused an accident with the Callaway Corvette in Free Practice 1 and given a five place grid penalty for tomorrow mornings qualifying race, meaning they will start in a lowly 17th position.

The Boutsen Ginion team had an encouraging day at Baku with both of their McLaren’s in the top 8. The Alexander Sims (GBR) and Stef Dusseldorp (NDL) entry was in 4th place while the Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL) and Frederic Vervisch car ended in 8th place.

In the Pro Am class it was the HTP Gravity Charouz pairing of Andreas Simonsen (SWE) and Sergei Afanasiev (RUS) who led the way with their 4th pole position of the season. Simonsen set the time of 1m45.207s to give the Pro Am points leaders a 20-point advantage despite some brake problems on their Mercedes SLS AMG GT3. With their Pro Am title rival – Hari Proczyk (AUT) qualifying 3rd in class, the GRT Grasser Racing driver has much work to do on the streets of Baku tomorrow if he is to stand any chance of overturning the large gap.

Second place in Pro Am was the Novadriver Audi R8 LMS, in which Michael Ammermuller (DEU) set the best time. Ammermuller joined the team at the last round in Navarra, scoring a podium position with team owner and driver Cesar Campanico (PRT), so will be aiming for more big points tomorrow.

The leading Gentlemen Trophy class entry was the AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia which was qualified superbly by 2011 FIA GT3 European Champion, Federico Leo (ITA). Setting a best of 1m45.156s the Italian secured a 15th place overall starting position for himself and team mate Claudio Sdanewitsch (DEU), who is aiming for a hat-trick of class victories after previous successes in Slovakia ring and Navarra.

Raceday at the Baku World Challenge by Aztexnika will kick off with a warm up session at 08.00. The Qualifying Race kicks off at 09.15, while the 2013 Main Race is at 13.00 (all times local) to underline an exciting and competitive 2013 season of FIA GT Series action.

QUOTES

René Rast, Team WRT – Audi R8 LMS #12 (Pro Cup)
“Today was a great day for us, we are taking one more point for pole position and it will help put Niki in a better place in the championship even if it will still be difficult for him to win but he can still fight for that. All in all, we can be very happy. Obviously we had a tough start today, when the team had to repair three cars in the first free practice. But the team did a really good job. It was a tough job for the mechanics but it was nice to pay them with the pole position at this amazing and challenging street circuit.”

Andreas Simonsen, HTP Gravity Charouz – Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 #2 (Pro Am)
“This track is quite difficult because there is a lot of braking but overall I think that we did a good job. We are happy to be P1 of the Pro Am and we would like to continue like that in order to secure the championship tomorrow. It is a bit tough but we are 20-points ahead and there is still 34 points to take and on this track but any slight mistake and you end up in the wall, so in one race everything can be over. We have a bit of pressure but we will try to stay out of any danger and out of the walls! I like the track, even if it is not perfect for us in some corners but overall the circuit is very nice. Concerning the city of Baku it is the first time I am here and I am very impressed by the buildings and the people of the city.”

Fédérico Léo , AF Corse – Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 #50 (Gentlemen Trophy)
“I am always happy to come back into to GT racing as I won the FIA GT3 European Championship a few years ago. For me, this is the first time with the Pirelli tyres but I am not so happy with my lap as I could have done much better without the traffic and a few small mistakes. I will do my stint and try to fight with the Pro and Pro Am cars tomorrow, but I will not push too much and will try to do a great race with Claudio (Sdanewitsch).

 “We are all delighted and very excited to go to Baku”, reckons Team WRT Principal Vincent Vosse, “To end the season with such a great new event is fantastic and can only bring a lot to the Championship. I have been following the preparations and I am confident that the organizers, which include a lot of Belgians thanks to Jean-François Chaumont and his team, will put together a great event. It will certainly be an atypical weekend, which means some extra pressure but also some extra pleasure, and we really would like to add such a prestigious race to our collection of wins. It won’t be easy because the Balance of Performance is what it is and there will be many additional good contenders. Although they will be ‘transparent’, in that they will not score nor block points, I hope they will not interfere negatively in the fight for the title. Given the nature of the track, we can certainly anticipate very tactical races, and an active role of the Safety-car! The first objective, for us, will be to secure the Teams’ title and have a nice family fight among our drivers for the Drivers’ crown. I have absolutely no preference: all our drivers have done a great job, they are all great guys, and whoever wins will make me happy!”

 Sporting Director Pierre Dieudonné seems not worried about the many unusual variables of this race. “It’s a new track, unknown to everyone”, he admits, “but that is true for everybody. There are no data on the circuit, we have just seen the topography of it but all the rest will have to be discovered on site, especially the surface. But we do know our car, so I am confident that we will be able to find quickly the best set-ups. Regarding the fight for the Drivers’ title, we have decided to leave our drivers free to defend their chances and not have team orders whatsoever. The starting point being that they are all intelligent and grown-up boys, they will be free to fight, the only boundaries being not to hurt the team’s interest and to respect each other and the cars. I think being as clear as possible is always the best way to handle this kind of situations.”

 The championship standings say that Laurens Vanthoor and Stéphane Ortelli lead with 101 points. The young Belgian driver seems quite cool at the eve of a weekend that could bring him a first international GT title. “I have spent the last few days in Germany with my girlfriend and fine-tuning my physical preparation with my trainer”, says Laurens, “I also have been devoting some time to my latest hobby, photography, something that has always fascinated me. I wanted to take some distance from motorsports and avoid thinking too much about this decisive race. I’m not worried about urban tracks, I like them and did well at Macau and Norisring in the past. I’ve seen the Baku circuit on a simulator but just to check the basics, it is clear that we won’t have any serious information until we are there. The last race wasn’t too good for us, so we are in a less comfortable position in the championship but still leading. I think Stéphane and I have a little advantage in terms of performance, therefore our strategy will be quite straight-forward: avoid mistakes and stay ahead of our team mates. At WRT we are used to always work together, sharing all data and information, it will be interesting to see how we do things in the context of a family title fight.”

 Only five points behind are Edward Sandström and Frank Stippler, who closed the gap at the last race in Navarra. The German driver is certainly happy to go to Baku: “I really look forward to this new experience”, says Frank “and I think Baku can become the equivalent of Monaco or Macau in other championship. I simply hope that the additional contenders that are coming attracted by the event and the prize money will show respect for those fighting for a title and not do crazy things. To have a family fight for the title is good news when you are in a team like WRT: you know your team mates and you know the fight is going to be fair. Whatever the result, it is going to be very good for the team, after a successful season of hard work!”

 The third in contention, and a ‘lone runner’, is Niki Mayr-Melnhof, who will have a tougher job, as he has a 26-point disadvantage, but “you never know, especially on a street circuit. Sometimes, the outsider is the lucky one”, as says with a relaxed tone the Austrian driver, who will be again associated with his usual partner, René Rast.

 On the fourth car, Grégoire Demoustier, the young French who is already an established driver in the GT élite, will make his debut with Team WRT. He will be partnered by Portuguese star Filipe Albuquerque, a man well-known in the team and who has been driving with Yves Weerts one of the Team WRT’s Audis R8 LMS ultra at the International GT Open’s finale in Barcelona two weeks ago. “I’m always very happy to race with WRT”, says the Audi driver, “we know each other well and I really look forward to this opportunity. A new circuit means that everybody will be on the same foot, and an urban track means that the driver will make the difference. The driver’s feeling and confidence really are the key factors on a track like this. Grip will be an issue because the surface is new, but it will improve throughout the sessions, and it will be crucial to evolve along the track, going fast but keeping cool to avoid contact with the walls. I hope we can be able to fight for a podium position.”

The weekend will have a compact format, with free practice and qualifying on Saturday and the two races on Sunday. Given the time difference (Baku is three hours ahead with respect to Central Europe), races will be quite early for most European fans, with the Qualifying one starting at 6:15 and the Main one kicking off at 10:00.  

The greatest GT sprint race of the year?

A quick look at the entry list of teams and drivers for the final round of the FIA GT Series gives the impression that there are as many favourites for victory as there are entries! City street races are nearly always full of upsets, and the fact that none of the belligerents can test in Baku adds even greater uncertainty to this type of race, which makes forecasting the outcome like looking for a needle in a haystack! Last year the Hexis Racing McLaren driven by Fred Makowiecki and Stef Dusseldorp won and the French squad almost pulled off a double. But this experience doesn’t confer a decisive advantage as the 4.380-long circuit for this year’s event is very different and much longer and quicker.

Driver no. 50

To tackle this world challenge Hexis Racing can count on a top-class driver line-up consisting of Rob Bell (34) and Kevin Estre (25). This weekend, the latter will become the 50th driver to get behind the wheel of a Hexis Racing car since the team was founded in 2002.

Bell is a double GT2 champion in the Le Mans Series and he was already part of the Hexis line-up in Baku last year. He qualified on the front row for the main race with Alvaro Parente before being obliged to retire 11 laps from the end with gearbox problems. The Brit is one of the McLaren works GT drivers, and he is also taking part in the FIA World Endurance Championship in an Aston Martin.

Kevin Estre was taken on by the team after a promising test session at the end of October on the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit where he was able to get to know the McLaren MP4-12C GT3, his team-mate Rob Bell, and the whole Hexis squad. The French driver won the French Porsche Carrera Cup in 2011, finished second in the Supercup in 2012 and clinched the eagerly sought-after German Porsche Cup title this year. He has won a total of 38 races in these three championships since the debut of his career as a Porsche driver. In July, he dominated his rivals on the Norisring city circuit, which shares certain characteristics with the Baku layout.

The final battle?

The McLaren bearing the number 27 left for Germany last week while the car and the team are flying to the Azerbaijan capital, today, Tuesday. Team manager Philippe Dumas sets the scene as this race unlike any other approaches: “We’re ready. The team’s well rested, trained, determined, confident and relaxed for what, as things stand at the moment, will certainly be our last battle together!”

The team has committed two professional drivers for one of their McLaren MP4-12C cars. Oliver Turvey (McLaren F1 test development driver) will share the work behind the steering wheel with Spaniard, Andy Soucek (ex-GP2, F2, F1 test driver). Both have significant experience in the cockpit of the McLaren GT3 sport car and will form a formidable partnership on the streets of Baku.

Also in the Pro-Am class the MRS team will enter a McLaren, for Canadian racer, Mark Thomas who lives in Baku. Thomas is an experienced driver who started his racing in the 1980s with single-seaters (Formula Ford Canada, FF2000) and continued after a break with endurance racing (Belcar, 24hrs of Spa and FIA GT). For Mark this is not the first time racing in Baku, as last year he drove a Porsche 997 GT3 R. His partner in the car will be announced shortly.

Karsten Molitor (team leader): “Of course we are very happy that we could commit to Oliver Turvey and Andy Soucek for Baku, at this point we say a big thank you to McLaren F1, who could make Oliver Turvey available. The circuit should make concession to the lightning-swift McLaren, the driver line-up is to very competitive; this combination allows us to fight for victory. Of course we are aware that we have very strong competitors, the final run of the FIA GT Series has attracted the best sports car drivers and teams. Also we are very happy about the engagement of Mark Thomas, who will start in the Pro-Am class in the #77 McLaren. His team mate is not certain at the moment, but you can assume that we will have a competitive package for this car.”

Mark J Thomas (Driver): “Baku is a fantastic city, just like the people who live here. It has a rich history as the crossroads between Asia and Europe on the Silk Trail and today has all the modern amenities of a great city. The interest in motorsports grows each day and I’m sure there will be a huge turnout over the Baku World Challenge weekend. The new track layout takes in a few of the famous sites and I am excited to show my fellow competitors all the Baku has to offer.”

Andy Soucek (Driver): “I would like to thank MRS for this great opportunity. I´m very excited to race in Baku for the last round of the FIA GT Series with McLaren, which is a car that I know well after my season in the Blancpain Endurance Series. The level of teams and drivers will be very high but I´m sure we can fight against the best in a very special weekend that will close the 2013 season. Having a good team mate like Oliver is always an extra piece of motivation as the whole package has credentials and possibilities to work well. It will be the first race with the team but I´m sure we will work well together, they have shown a lot of interest and will in the preparation of the race.”

Having supported the team through various partnerships in recent years, including strong branding on the BMW Z4 GT3 cars entered in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, this new livery is an extension of ICE Watch’s involvement in motorsport. The art on the Marc VDS machine reflects the colours of the brand that have also been seen in the DTM with BMW Motorsport’s Marco Wittman in 2013.

As well as producing the special Marc VDS Carbon watch, available at marcvds.com, the vibrant timepiece company also now produce a BMW Motorsport chronograph.

The BMW Z4 GT3 will also be on display at the Valencia MotoGP, where the Marc VDS Moto2 Racing Team will entertain the massive Spanish crowds, before travelling to Baku next week.

Marc van der Straten
“Now is the perfect time for us to be reinforcing our relationships with key sponsors, with such a successful season and strong prospects for the future. With that in mind, it’s fantastic to welcome further support from another Belgian success story in ICE-Watch. The ICE Watch livery looks fantastic and I’m looking forward to watching it take on the Baku World Challenge. I’m hoping we can add more success to this wonderful season so far.”

Jean-Pierre Lutgen, CEO ICE Watch
“We have been a partner of the Marc VDS Racing Team since 2010 and are very happy with this title sponsor deal. This season ICE Watch has been a strong partner to BMW Motorsport in DTM, and as we are now selling the BMW Motorsport watches it makes sense to strengthen our activities in motor racing. It would be great to see BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS represent Belgium strongly at the Baku World Challenge, and carry our brand to the front!”

We caught up with Kévin as he celebrated his call up to the Hexis team and planned his Baku World Challenge weekend where he will share the car with experienced McLaren racer, Rob Bell.

How did this opportunity to drive for Hexis during the Baku World Challenge by Aztexnika come about?

“Actually, I was really interested in doing this race and especially with Hexis Racing, as it is a great team. So I spoke to Philippe (Dumas) during the summer and asked him if they were planning to do it or not, and if yes, if they already have the drivers lined up. But at that time, he was not sure at all to take part in this race so the discussion did not go further. Then, last week, he called me and asked if I still wanted to race at the Baku World Challenge and if so, would I be interested in testing the McLaren on Monday 28th October at the Paul Ricard track. Of course, I agreed and as I raced there for the last French GT round during the weekend, I just had to stay on site and do the test. The test day went very well, I was competitive, I had good feedback from the engineer, and I did not do any big mistakes, so I think that Philippe in taking me.”

You are used to driving Porsche (Carrera Cup France, Germany Supercup…), did you already race a McLaren MP4-12C?

“No, actually last Monday during the test day was the first time I drove a McLaren MP4-12C. Before last weekend, I never raced in another car other than the Porsche GT3 R and the BMW M6 Alpina that I drove during one round of the FIA GT3 in 2009 (at Paul Ricard). But at least I now have a bit of experience on the McLaren MP4-12C thanks to the test day with Hexis Racing.”

How did the car feel?

“I actually got used to the McLaren pretty quickly, but for sure, compared to driving a Porsche, it is very different! First of all, the engine is very distinctive because of the turbo, there is a torque that we don’t have on the Porsche! The behaviour of the car is pretty different too. There is a big difference in terms of balance and weight of the car between the rear mid-engine of the McLaren and the engine of the Porsche. But the McLaren is a good car, it is balanced, with good brakes, and a good aerodynamic kit. The advantage, and this is what everyone is saying, is that when you know how to drive a Porsche, you can drive anything. And it has been proven a few weeks ago during the French GT round where I raced, I got used to the car very quickly and we eventually won both races.”

Do you know your teammate Rob Bell?

“One week ago, I did not know him actually. Of course I knew his name and I knew him as a driver, but we never met personally. But he was there for the Paul Ricard test too, so I finally got to meet and know him more. He is a great guy, with a lot of experience. During the test day, we had the opportunity to drive the same car with the same conditions, which was good for Philippe because he was able to draw a comparison between the two of us. What is good is that we had the same feeling with the car, which is great and easier for the set-ups. Of course, he gets more experience with the McLaren than I do, but I felt at ease pretty quickly. We had a good feeling together.”

Is it your first experience on a city racetrack?

“No, it will not be my first time on a street track, as I already raced at Pau in Formula Campus, Monaco in Supercup, and also in Baltimore over in the US. I love street circuits. Racing in a city gives a kind of adrenalin rush that we hardly get on other circuits. I also love the atmosphere, which in general really nice on street circuits because spectators are often all gathered in a small area, which gives a very nice atmosphere. So far, my best results on street circuits are 2nd at Monaco and 2nd at Pau. I have never won on a street circuit, so this is the aim for Baku!”

How are you going to train for this race? Any testing planned with Hexis? And for the layout of the circuit?

“I had a look at the Baku World Challenge circuit layout, and it seems very nice but it will be hard to train before getting there. Indeed, I did not race there last year, and even if I did, the layout is not the same. This is also a problem because looking at onboard cameras from last year will not help me. We will work hard on the layout with all the team on the Friday before the race and we will try to do as many laps as we can, whether it is by foot or with a scooter. It should be fine.”

What do you think of the competition in the FIA GT Series?

“The FIA GT Series is a really strong and competitive championship with many great drivers and teams. As for the Baku World Challenge it is going to be even stronger with all the guest entries. It is going to be absolutely great and I cannot wait to be in Azerbaijan!”

Porsche Carrera Cup France – a nod to 2011

Henry Hassid was the man behind Estre’s presence in the Var last weekend, as he was looking for a team-mate to help him finish his season on a high note in GT, and also a competitive Porsche to shine in the Cup. An agreement was reached with Attempto Racing, Kevin’s usual team, to allow the 2011 Porsche Cup champions to race under the same banner: that year Estre and Hassid won the A and B titles in the series.

A letter and a figure are enough to sum up Estre’s performance on the Paul Ricard circuit – P1! The driver in the no. 99 Porsche set the best times in the two free practice sessions, then two pole positions followed by two dominant victories. “The team had never raced at Ricard before but with its knowledge of the car and my experience of the circuit, we found the right setup very quickly.”

French FFSA GT Championship – a BMW double!

While the Frenchman was the hot favourite for the Porsche Cup, he wasn’t expected to win at the wheel of a car he was racing for the first time, which had never been victorious in France. “With its engine at the front the BMW Z4 is very different from the car I’m used to driving, but I adapted very quickly,” analysed Kevin. “The TDS Team did a good job. The engineer Jacques Morello knows his stuff and Henry was by far the best gentleman in the field. On my side I did two races without making any mistakes, which wasn’t easy as there were some pretty good drivers at the start.”

Among the 29 cars on the grid were some top-class teams including HTP Motorsport, winner of this year’s Spa 24 Hours. “The Mercedes-Benz was very quick in a straight line, but it seemed to wear its tyres pretty quickly. As it started in front of us we came up with a strategy to overtake it: to exit the corner leading on to the Mistral straight behind on the right line and take advantage of slipstreaming to get close at Signes, then plunge down the inside in the Beausset double right-hander.” It worked like a dream on Saturday. Henry started in ninth place and fought his way up to second behind the Mercedes-Benz. Kevin closed the small gap between himself and Alon Day, overtook him as planned and saw the chequered flag eight seconds in front as well as setting the fastest lap!

The next day Kevin was second on the grid for race 2 behind the Mercedes-Benz. “I wasn’t quite as quick at the start, but I pulled him in by the end of the stint. I tried to pass him in the same place as the day before, but Day had me covered and closed the door.” The two leading driver line-ups had to cope with a time handicap when they pitted: 15 seconds more for the BMW because of its victory the previous day and 20 for the Mercedes-Benz due to its second place and the higher grade of its B driver. Hassid rejoined in front of the Silver Star but behind the Loeb-Lapierre McLaren and the Ayari-Beaubelique Ferrari. It took him only three laps to slice past the Italian car and with five minutes to go he hustled past the English machine to make it a double!

Hexis Racing McLaren test – on board for Baku

Estre stayed on at Paul Ricard for an extra day to test one of the Hexis Racing McLarens. The 2011 FIA GT1 World champions will race in the Baku World Challenge on 22-24 November, which is the eagerly-awaited final of the FIA GT Series. The aim of the test was to select a team-mate for Rob Bell, the works McLaren GT driver. It seems that Philippe Dumas found what he was looking for. “I’m delighted to welcome a guy who’s very quick, humble and a hard worker. This day’s testing confirmed that he’s as good as I thought he was. Right now I’m firing a warning shot across the bows of our rivals in the Baku World Challenge, as with such a talent combined with that of Rob Bell, they’ll have us to reckon with! ” In the meantime Kevin will take part in another final, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Abu Dhabi.

With 20 cars entered in the Pro category and 30 in total, the Baku World Challenge by Aztexnika will display the one of the most competitive grids seen in GT sprint racing since the first season of the FIA GT1 World Championship in 2010.

The event on 23/24 November is set to be a fitting finale to the 2013 FIA GT Series season, as both the Pro and Pro-Am titles will be fought out on the brand new and specially designed 4.38-kilometre street circuit, which will race past some of Baku’s most iconic landmarks, including the famous Crystal Hall arena.

Revealed on the entry list are a bumper 30 entries representing the three categories in the FIA GT Series: Pro, Pro-Am and Gentlemen Trophy. 19 teams representing eight nations will race an incredible variety of GT supercars. Audi, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes, McLaren and Porsche will all be seen in action on the challenging Baku circuit next month, giving the expected large crowd a thrilling racing spectacle over two days.

Existing FIA GT Series teams and drivers are joined by an array of new entries for the season climax. An impressive 8 new-to-the-series squads are joining the prestigious Baku World Challenge next month. 2013 Blancpain Endurance Series champions, Marc VDS Racing Team, will enter one of their BMW Z4 cars for Maxime Martin (BEL) and Nick Catsburg (NDL), aiming to finish their successful season off in style.

Also from Belgium and bringing two of the spectacular McLaren MP4-12C cars to the race are the renowned Boutsen Ginion team. They have a very strong looking driver line-up, which includes McLaren factory driver Alexander Sims (GBR), Stef Dusseldorp (NDL) and Frédéric Vervisch (BEL). The team has also drafted in highly promising young driver and McLaren Formula One aspirant Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL) to join Vervisch in the #16 Boutsen Ginion McLaren.

Two of the UK’s most prominent racing teams are making the journey to the Baku World Challenge. 2013 British GT Champions, Trackspeed, bring a brace of Porsche 997 GT3 R challengers with experienced drivers Danny Watts (GBR) and Phil Keen (GBR) being joined in the team by Porsche factory driver – Nick Tandy (GBR). Austrian driver Martin Ragginger completes their strong line-up. As well as the Trackspeed Porsche cars, Fortec Motorsport will bring their Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 to make their FIA GT Series debut, entering an all-British driving team of Oli Webb and Benji Hetherington.

Making a surprise but very welcome appearance in Baku will be the rumbling Corvette Z06 GT3. Run under the famous Callaway moniker, the German squad brings wonderful GT variety and also a powerful driver line up of Jeroen Bleekemolen (NDL) and Daniel Keilwitz (DEU).

The remaining new teams to the FIA GT Series are Blancpain Endurance Series regulars Sport Garage (FRA) with two Ferrari 458 Italias, Germany’s Molitor Racing Systems with a pair of McLaren MP4-12Cs and the French TDS Racing team with their BMW Z4.

If that were not enough to whet the appetite for the grand finale of the FIA GT Series season at the Baku World Challenge by Aztexnika, then the confirmation of 2011 FIA GT1 World Champions Hexis Racing on the entry list with a McLaren MP4-12C will add even more spice to this highly anticipated event.

The title battles will be intense in Baku with two of the four Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audi R8 LMS ultra cars fighting it out to be 2013 FIA GT Series Pro champions, while the HTP Gravity Charouz team will battle, as they have done all season, with the GRT Grasser Racing squad for Pro-Am honours.

Do not miss the Baku World Challenge on 23-23 November. With a stunning setting close to the Caspian Sea and the full grid of spectacular FIA GT Series cars racing close to the famous Crystal Hall and National flag square landmarks, the 2013 season is set to come to an unforgettable climax.

Regular news on the build-up to the Baku World Challenge by Aztexnika can be found at www.fiagtseries.com or via the series’ official twitter feed – www.twitter.com/FIAGTSeries

Quotes

Stephane Ratel, Founder & CEO of SRO Motorsports Group

“We are delighted to announce such a strong entry for the grand finale of the 2013 FIA GT Series at this very special Baku World Challenge by Aztexnika event. The additional entries that are joining the regular competitors in Azerbaijan will add much variety, colour and competition to the weekend, perfectly complementing and rewarding the hard work that everyone has put in to creating this unique racing spectacle.”

Jean-Francois Chaumont, Baku World Challenge by Aztexnika Promoter

“The Azerbaijani public is going to see some wonderful supercars driven by many of the greatest GT drivers in the world next month. The Baku World Challenge by Aztexnika will be a unique event that will perfectly reflect the diversity in the competitors on the track with the cultural and geographic diversity of Azerbaijan. The entry list announced today is the perfect beginning to ensure the fixture of the Baku World Challenge becomes a permanent one in the international motor sport calendar.”

Two Belgian drivers will share the car : Frédéric Vervisch, our Blancpain driver, and Stoffel Vandoorne, the new Vice-Champion Formula Renault 3.5  (World Series by Renault) which is also  part of the ” Young Driver Development Program McLaren .” Stoffel has already tested with our McLaren MP4 -12C GT3 at Zolder 2 weeks ago.. He has discovered the circuit more than the car !

On the other car , we will find Alexander Sims , the English driver, and Stef Dusseldorp , the Dutch driver . Both are familiar with McLaren , Stef won the Challenge Baku in 2012.

Olivier Lainé (Team Manager): “Several promising young drivers have gone through our team and have won championships with us (Jerome D’Ambrosio, Maxime Martin, Maxime Soulet …). We are very pleased to welcome the young hope Stoffel Vandoorne for this great event. “

 
Stoffel Vandoorne : « I’m really happy to join Boutsen Ginion Racing for the Baku World Challenge race. It will be something very different to what I’m used to drive, but I’m looking forward to this experience. We will try our best as usual and give it a good go for the victory! »

Frédéric Vervisch : “I’m very happy I can finish my first GT-season with the FIA GT closing race in Baku, thanks to the team that believes in me. Knowing it’s taking place on a street circuit, makes me even more excited.. Street circuits are my favorite! I’m also looking forward to work together with my tea mate and friend, Stoffel Vandoorne.”

Alexander Sims : “I am extremely excited to be placed with Boutsen Ginion Racing by McLaren for the Baku street race. It will be the first time for me racing at Baku and also first time working with the team. I have been in the same paddock this year as I drove in the Blancpain series with Hexis and it has been clear to me that Boutsen has a strong package and I look forward to driving their McLaren and fighting for the best result possible.”

Stef Dusseldorp : ” I’m really looking forward to race in Baku again. I have good memories from racing there last year in the streets. Although the track will be different this year, I hope I can fight for the victory again with Boutsen”.

Two of the spectacular V10 powered Grasser Lamborghini’s will be roaring through the Baku streets as the team field an extra car for all-Slovakian driving team, of Stefan Rosina and Filip Sladecka. Rosina is already a race winner this season having shared the Blancpain Reiter Lamborghini with Peter Kox to victory at Zolder in April. Sladecka raced a BMW Z4 for the BMW Sports Trophy Team India squad at Slovakia Ring and Navarra and has already experienced the Lamborghini with the GRT Grasser Racing team at this season’s 6 Hours of Brno.

The GRT Grasser Racing squad has enjoyed a very competitive year in the FIA GT Series, where regular drivers in the Pro-Am class, Dominik Baumann and Hari Proczk, are fighting for the driver’s title. After a victory at Zandvoort and six other podium finishes they are still in a battle with the HTP Gravity Charouz team to take the Pro-Am class silverware. Currently Baumann and Proczyk are 19-points adrift of their rivals but have 34-points to fight for in Baku!

Speaking about the FIA GT Series team owner and occasional driver, Gottfried Grasser said: “We will run the No 25 Lamborghini with Hari Proczyk and Dominik Baumann who will fight for Pro Am Title. Now we are proud to start a second car for the first time in our FIA GT Series history with Stefan Rosina and Filip Sladecka. We think the street course will suit our Lamborghini very well and we are looking forward to achieving some good results at this mega event in Baku! We are so happy to be going there!”

Grasser will be among a strong field of FIA GT Series cars at the inaugural Baku World Challenge by Aztexnika over the weekend of 23-24 November. More teams and drivers set to be announced over the coming weeks in the build-up to the big event!

As well as an internationally recognised businessman, Thierry also has a team that he is involved with. Boutsen-Ginion Racing enter two McLaren MP4-12C GT racers at Baku, so the great Belgian, who arced in 163 Grand Prix’ for Arrows, Benetton, Williams, Ligier and Jordan will be a man in demand this weekend, on and off the thrilling Baku World Challenge track.

What is your connection with the Baku World Challenge?

“I spent some time in the country over the last few years with my business – Boutsen Aviation. I came to see what an interesting and beautiful country it is. At the same time I realised that Baku could be a perfect place for a real sporting spectacle like a street race.

“I have a lot of connections with motorsport still, especially with some people in Belgium who are very talented people in putting events on. One of them is Jean-Francois Chamout. So I spoke to Jean-Francois and said it would be a great place in 2013 to build upon the event that was held last year and to make it even more spectacular and varied. Therefore we now have very exciting final FIA GT races that will decide the championships on a quick street track. It will be truly spectacular.”

What do you expect from the new-look circuit this year?

“From what I have seen it looks very quick. The beauty of street tracks is that although everything is confined, for GT cars like this you have quite long braking distances so overtaking should be plentiful.

“The track will also race close to really impressive focal points on the Baku streets like the huge national flag and also the Crystal Hall where they have held big international events like the 2012 Eurovision Song contest.”

Did you enjoy driving on street circuits in your career?

“Yes I did. They provide a unique challenge where both man and machine have to be in perfect harmony. I raced on many street circuits like Detroit, Dallas, Phoenix and of course Monaco.

“Yet the one street circuit I will forever be remembered and associated with is Adelaide where I scored my second Grand Prix victory in 1989. It was a crazy race with very wet conditions and of course when it is like that you have to keep out of trouble. There were a lot of big accidents but I kept my Williams Renault away from trouble and came through to win after Ayrton crashed in to the back of Brundle’s Brabham. It was a great day for me and the team.”

Do you watch much racing these days?

“I try to but it is always tough to try and keep track as I am usually travelling or working. I try to watch the Grand Prix but also see some of the FIA GT Series races on catch-up TV. They look very spectacular and it is great to see big names like Zonta, Loeb and Ortelli, who I raced against at Le Mans when he was with Porsche and I was with Toyota.”

Will you be at Baku rooting for the Boutsen-Ginion team?

“Absolutely, I wouldn’t miss it. It will be an amazing weekend and I know that the Azerbaijani people will come in big numbers to see this unique and colourful event. The race will create a sensational sight around the track. It will be very atmospheric and with all those big brands like Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes Nissan and Porsche represented it will connect with people who have not even seen a race before. That will be the beauty of the Baku World Challenge in 2013.

“Of course I will be rooting for the Boutsen-Ginion team and they will be strong as we have some really good, young drivers in the team. They will put on a really great show during the weekend and hopefully there can be some celebrations on the Sunday afternoon”

 Demoustier and Albuquerque will join efforts with the squad’s regular line-ups: Ortelli-Vanthoor, Sandström-Stippler and Mayr-Melnhof-Rast. The fourth car is aimed at enhancing this stellar event, which will bring a FIA championship to the urban track of Baku for the first time.

 The squad’s objective for this last race of the FIA GT Series will be to secure the Teams’ title for the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT, which currently enjoys a 28-point lead in the overall standings. The Azerbaijan race will also be decisive for the Drivers’ title, which cannot escape Team WRT, as the only three contenders left are Ortelli-Vanthoor, Sandström-Stippler and Mayr-Melnhof.

 Team WRT Principal Vincent Vosse explains: “Baku will be a very special event, which will bring Azerbaijan and the whole region into the map of international motorsports. The organizers and local authorities are doing a great effort to have a memorable event, and entering an additional car is a way to stress its importance and further contribute to the show. I am very happy to have Albuquerque and Demoustier with us. We know Filipe well, of course, as he has raced for us in the past, and he is a popular figure within the team, and we will be delighted to welcome Grégoire. He has shown very good things in GT racing, driving other brands’ cars and he tested with us some time ago. The feedback was very positive, we stayed in contact, and I am happy that the opportunity to work together has now arisen.”

SA: “It is not really a home race for me but it is home ground for my long-time sponsor Lukoil, as its owner, Mr. Vaguit Alekperov, was born in Azerbaijan. So, for me it is really important to show good pace there, and to have a good performance. I think that Azeri people would be glad to see us on top of the podium, and fighting for the title in the Pro-Am category. The people there know the red and white colors of our Mercedes, and they will definitely follow us for that!”

What about street circuits. Do you enjoy them?

“Street circuits are a good experience, maybe a little bit difficult at the last stage of a championship because it is still going to be a little bit of a gamble, but overall it is going to be a beautiful event at Baku, I am sure! I know that it is going to be well organised too, with it being a world event, so it will be even more impressive. Last year it was the first time I had driven a Mercedes SLS GT3, and my teammate was the great Bernd Schneider! It was a great experience but in 2013 it will be even better if Andreas (Simonsen) and I win the title!”

It is a new track this year and will be quicker, which should suit you in the HTP Gravity Charouz Mercedes?

“It will suit other cars too but yes it should definitely suit the Mercedes as well. I am sure that it is going to be a good event all-round and I hope it is going to be sunny for the spectators. I cannot wait to be in Baku again as it is such a vibrant and modern city.”

Do you know the city of Baku well?

“The old city is absolutely beautiful, one of the most historic places in the former Soviet Union and you can see a lot of old buildings. From my point of view, I think that it is a great experience for European people to see the different sides of the country. It is a beautiful place and it reflects the growth of the country perfectly.”

Going to a new country that does not have a motorsport industry it must be nice to be the pioneers, to go there and put some roots down?

“Yes, it is going to be a proper step up and already a lot of people are asking me questions about the event. People are looking forward to the race and seeing more about the country of Azerbaijan. I do hope that it will also come to Russia one day. We have Moscow Raceway, and we are going to have the Sochi circuit and other circuits too. We can see that the motorsport industry is growing, and bring something like FIA GT Series racing there will develop the exposure and understanding of racing in general.”

So, what would mean for you guys to win the championship?

“For me it is my first real year in GT Racing, and I think that it is a proper way of beginning. Andreas is going for his second season, his first season was a hard fight, he was a bit unlucky and this year I am his ‘lucky mascot’.

It is important to bring the team together and have a close relationship with everyone. My team mate and I get on really well; I even took Andreas to Odessa But, as they say, what happens in Odessa stays in Odessa!”

View the video here – http://youtu.be/ssuQguMPW24

“It is going to be a real challenge and damn good fun,” said Watts after his first experience of the Baku World Challenge circuit last Friday. “The first thing you notice is that it has just about every corner you would want to see on a challenging circuit. There are slow speed corners followed by some quick ones and also hairpins and some fast chicanes. I can see immediately that there will be at least two or three very good overtaking opportunities, so all in all it is going to be a real adventure.”

Watts, who has experience on two of the most exciting street circuits in motorsport – Monaco and Macau, believes that the Baku circuit will test drivers to the maximum, saying: “It will be a physical and mental test, street circuits always are. But the main challenge will be just getting the initial rhythm of the place right from the beginning of track action. All in all it looks to be a real driver’s track and I think it will create some spectacular racing next month.”

Utilising the Base Performance simulator, Watts believes will be a key advantage for the Trackspeed Porsche team, where he will share a 997 GT3-R with Martin Ragginger (AUT) at the Baku World Challenge at the end of November.

“It is crucial to get an appreciation and understanding of the track before you get there. Yes, the track walk and taking an actual look at the track is important, but using somewhere like Base Performance Simulators gives you a head-start because it means you get all your homework done before you turn up to the track. It is vital to know where the bumps are likely to be, what the corner radius’ are and when and where you will be able to push. A lot of course depends upon the severity of the kerbs but even that you can anticipate on a simulator, so it is a major benefit to get time on here.”

Watts will land in Azerbaijan direct from the Macau Grand Prix meeting; will be looking to take momentum from that weekend in to the big races in Baku. Watts will not be alone in making the long trip from Macau to Baku as Sébastien Loeb will also be competing in the Chinese principality that weekend.

The unusual event on the streets of Azerbaijan’s capital marks the final round of the FIA GT Series, and is open to competitors on an invitation only basis. Successful cars from the various GT3 series around Europe come together for this one special occasion. There is not only pride in victory, as a large prize fund – 100,000 Euros for the winning team – awaits.

The real challenge of the event, though, is the track. A completely new street circuit will be used, with the stunning Baku city backdrop, and it is completely unlike any circuit the team have raced on in recent years. Street circuits have little or no space between the race track and the barriers and any mistake – easy to make on a bumpy city centre surface – will be punished immediately.

It is also a big opportunity to race in the Asian market, a stage Marc VDS have not been present on since the FIA GT1 World Championship in 2011. BMW Motorsport were keen to see their brand represented and a deal was struck to see the BMW Sports Trophy banner once more fielded by Marc VDS.

Nick Catsburg, driver BMW Z4 GT3

“I am very happy to be going to Baku with BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS. I’m proud to be working so closely with BMW Motorsport. This event seems great to me, and the venue looks absolutely fantastic. It’s cool to be teamed up with Max – I’ve only raced with him once, but we won on my debut at the Nordschleife so I hope we can continue that form!. Last year the BMW Z4 GT3 was strong in Baku so I hope it will be the same in 2013! I’d like to thank the team for supporting me this season and giving me this opportunity to race in Baku.”

Bas Leinders, Team Principal

“This race is going to be a great spectacle, and we’re very excited to be heading out to Asia again, which we haven’t done since GT1. Street races are exciting, but they’re also punishing and any mistake can be costly – it’s brilliant for the fans. BMW Motorsport’s backing is obviously a fantastic thing to have and we’re proud to be working with them closely again after the success we achieved together at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. I’ve got a lot of confidence in the driving squad, especially after their win together in VLN. I’m really looking forward to being a part of such a unique event.”

Two drivers per car, as a mandatory driver change is planned during the races :

1 qualifying race on Saturday 23 November,

1 race on Sunday 24 November.

3 of the 4 drivers are already confirmed for this city challenge !

Frédéric Vervisch, our McLaren Belgian driver in Blancpain Endurance series, Alexander Sims, the English driver, Stef Dusseldorp, the Dutch driver. They all know very well the car !

Frédéric Vervisch : “I’m very happy I can finish my first GT-season with the FIA GT closing race in Baku, thanks to the team that believes in me. Knowing it’s taking place on a street circuit, makes me even more excited.. Street circuits are my favorite! I’m also looking forward to work together with my team mates Stef Dusseldorp and Alexander Sims, I’m keen to learn a lot. Can’t wait to be in that car!”

2007 – German F3, Vice Champion

2008 – Asian F3, Champion – German F3, Champion

2009 – Champcar Atlantic, Rookie Champion

2010/11 – Superleague Formula, multiple winner

2013 – Blancpain Endurance Series, 1 win Pro-Am

Alexander Sims :“I am extremely excited to be placed with Boutsen Ginion Racing by McLaren for the Baku street race. It will be the first time for me racing at Baku and also first time working with the team. I have been in the same paddock this year as I drove in the Blancpain series with Hexis and it has been clear to me that Boutsen has a strong package and I look forward to driving their McLaren and fighting for the best result possible.”

2008 – McLaren Autosport Award

2009/10 – 4th European F3, Pole @ Zandvoort Masters

2012 & 2013 – Factory McLaren driver, Best finish – 2nd Place @ Paul Ricard with Hexis Racing

Stef Dusseldorp :“I’m really looking forward to race in Baku again. I have good
memories from racing there last year in the streets. Although the track will be different this year, I hope I can fight for the victory again with Boutsen”.

2009 – German F3 – Best rookie and 2nd overall

2010 – German F3 – 4th overall

2011 – FIA GT1 World Championship – 7th overall and Team World Champion

2012 – FIA GT1 World Championship – 2nd overall and 2nd Team

- BAKU City Challenge – winner

2013 – Blancpain Endurance Series – 1 podium

We stll have 1 driver to confirm ! And the line-ups / per car !

As the official tyre supplier to the FIA GT Series, Pirelli was trackside at Navarra to supply its P Zero slicks and P Zero wets to a variety of marques including McLaren, BMW, Lamborghini and Ferrari. Pirelli has a strong track record of supplying rubber to manufacturers competing in the top echelons of endurance racing and this year’s FIA GT Series has benefitted from new tyre sizes for front and mid-engined cars.

Loeb and Parente started a near-perfect weekend in Spain after taking a convincing win at a wet qualifying race on Sunday morning which saw most teams running on Pirelli slicks. Two crews opted to run on Pirelli slicks but it was evidently the wrong choice as the lack of grip on the wet track meant they lost around 10 seconds each lap compared to those running on the wets.

The rain subsided in time for Sunday afternoon’s main race and the crews swapped back onto Pirelli slicks before taking to the grid. Loeb and Parente continued their dominance to seal a lights-to-flag race victory: the duo’s first win of 2013 despite winning three qualifying races already this season. They were closely followed home by the sister Sebastien Loeb Racing McLaren MP4-12C which was driven by Andreas Zuber and Mike Parisy.

“I started in pole position, just like in Slovakia but this time we had no trouble and the car was fantastic,” said race winner Loeb at the finish. “I was happy to see Andreas (Zuber) behind me after the first corner – we made a great race together, we were both pushing a lot and he was very close. This morning, it was the third time that we won the qualifying race but now it is the first time we have finally won the main race. It was a great weekend for the whole team so I am really happy for them.”

Completing the podium at Navarra was Germany’s Frank Stippler and Sweden’s Edward Sandstrom in the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audi R8 LMS ultra. Their race had started in dramatic fashion when the front left brake disc had to be changed on the grid immediately prior to the start.

Claiming their sixth category race win of the season, Sergei Afanasiev and Andreas Simonsen now look set to clinch the 2013 Pro Am driver’s title by taking maximum points once again in Navarra.

Pirelli’s senior tyre engineer Matteo Braga commented: “It was a very interesting weekend with variable conditions, which meant that race strategy was extremely important. It also meant that all the tyre choices had to be made at the last minute. The Navarra circuit tended to favour cars that had the best traction through slow to medium speed corners. The McLaren drivers made no mistakes at all, while others were unlucky, such as Audi, Mercedes, BMW and Lamborghini – which nonetheless proved to be competitive by clinching pole and finishing third in the qualifying race with the Grasser team. Our tyres performed well with no problems at all despite the unpredictable weather, which meant that everyone had to change from slicks to wets just before qualifying.”

The 2013 FIA GT Series finale will take place in Azerbaijan for the first time as the crews take on the inaugural Baku World Challenge by Aztexnika over 22-24 November.

Reactions.
Alvaro Parente McLaren MP4-12C #9, 1st in both qualifying and championship races: « This championship race victory was a long time in the making but we got it ! We were really strong all weekend from practice to the second race, and under all conditions, dry or wet. It was a perfect job done by everyone ! We were comfortable, we had everything under control and we were quick. It’s a really good feeling to have finally confirmed our strengths ! We’ve been unlucky since the start of the season but this weekend shows that when we are spared from racing incidents, we’re up front. »

Andreas Zuber. McLaren MP4-12C #10, 5th qualifying race and 2nd championship race : « Fantastic! After a difficult qualifying session, Mike laid it all out on the line in the first race. He had a great start and first lap to finally hand me the car in 13th place (after starting 18th). The car was incredible this weekend and I was able to finish in fifth place. For the championship race, I got a really good start and got close to the pit wall to make passes, ending up behind Sébastien. We stayed together for several laps. I was relatively easy to follow him and we had good pace until my tire puncture which cost us 8 or 9 seconds. I’m very happy with the result, especially for the team who did a great job as usual.. »

Mike Parisy. McLaren MP4-12C #10, 5th qualifying race and 2nd championship race : « Our car was perfect ! The team worked really well, as usual. The qualifying race was a little dicey for us because we started 18th. I didn’t have a choice, I had to attack from the start in order to reach the middle of the pack…by forcing my way a little. Andreas and I, we complemented each other perfectly, always in a position to attack. We showed our consistency, experience, and speed. We’ve been unlucky since the start of the season, but not this weekend. To finally be able to express ourselves in the best of ways is something that gives me great joy. Thanks to the entire team. »

Qualifying race.

As the cars on the grid get ready for the first race, rain soaks the Navarra track and forces teams to change from slicks to rain tires. As the starting lights go out, the drivers launch into the unknown. For Alvaro Parente, the single reconnaissance lap was enough. The Portugese driver has an incredible start and jumps from the second row to the lead. Untouchable in the No.9 Sébastien Loeb Racing Mclaren, he remains alone in the lead until he makes his first pitstop with a 10 second lead !

Behind, things seemed to be off to a bad start for the sister car, but that was without counting on Mike Parisy’s determination. Starting 18th, the Frenchman completes the first lap in 14th then the second in 12th. He is at the heart of a fierce battle with two BMWs, a Mercedes and a Nissan ; wheel to wheel action until the first stops.

The first driver to take over for the Soultz-sous-Forêt based team, Sébastien Loeb, rejoins the track with an eight second lead after a perfectly managed pitstop from his team. The same for his teammate, Andreas Zuber, who takes over for Mike Parisy, 10th after exiting the pits. The driver of the No.10 McLaren is full throttle. He passes the two BMWs and an Audi. Even the reappearance of rain can’t stop the Austrian driver who now has a Mercedes and two Audis in his sights. As he overtakes these competitors, Andi makes his way to the top five, just before the checkered flag.

For the third time in five tries since the start of the season, the Parente/Loeb duo have won the qualifying race in the FIA GT Series, and therefore pole position for the following championship race.

Championship race.

With a perfectly timed start, Sébastien Loeb is quickly joined by teammate Andy Zuber, who takes three positions before the exit of the first corner ! With a clear track ahead of them, the two McLarens run away from the pack. No competitor can challenge their pace, to the point that after 15 minutes, the Sébastien Loeb Racing parade has a 7 second lead on the third place car.

With each lap, Sébastien and Andy hammer the nail in just a bit more. Even a puncture that would penalise Andi before his first stop doesn’t allow his chasers to catch up !

As soon as the pitstop window is closed, the No.9 McLaren, now at the hands of Alvaro Parente, is still the leader ahead of Mike Parisy in the No.10. Although the Frenchman is closely followed by an Audi, it doesn’t take long for him to widen the gap to 10 seconds.

At the end of this nearly flawless race, Sébastien Loeb Racing takes its first 1-2 finish in the FIA GT Series after dominating the event: Loeb/Parente takes the win, with Zuber/Parisy second.

There was relative satisfaction in the Belgian camp at the end of the day. “We have secured the Drivers’ title and got closer to the Teams’ crown”, commented Team WRT Principal Vincent Vosse, “and this is certainly a good thing, but we also suffered some problems, therefore we cannot be entirely happy. In particular car #11 lived one of those days, with an unfortunate tire choice in Race 1 and the brake problem which caused a very long stop in Race 2. We don’t know what really happened, we will need to analyse everything thoroughly when we are back at home. For the rest, it was clear we could do nothing against the McLarens today, but the drivers and the entire team gave their outmost once again.”

In Qualifying, despite a top speed deficit, Stippler took a spot in the first row, thanks to his second-fastest time, right ahead of Jarvis, with Ortelli in 7th overall, after spinning during his fast lap.

The Qualifying race, on Sunday morning, started with light rain, which prompted some drivers (including Jarvis) to start on slick tires, a choice that later would prove wrong. At the start, Parente took the lead followed by Sandström, with Vanthoor 5th and Jarvis 19th. In lap 5, Vanthoor was already in third and started a lively fight with Sandström, while at the back, Jarvis was struggling with the slick tires on a humid track. In lap 17, the Belgian passed the Swede after two attempts, and both Audis got into the pits together for the driver change, at the very end of the window. Stippler was out on wets and Ortelli on slicks, a choice that penalized the Monegasque as the rain resumed. While Stippler kept second without any trouble, Ortelli managed to salvage a 7th overall (4th in Pro) and Mayr-Melnhof concluded in P9.

The Main race went on a couple of hours later, with dry weather. At the start, Stippler had trouble to keep his position on the grid, stabilizing in P6, while Ortelli, probably hit by another car, suffered a spin and rejoined at the back of the field, right behind Mayr-Melnhof. The race in the top group was extremely lively, with a number of contacts and off-tracks. Fortunately, Stippler got clear of any trouble. “We knew this track was hard on brakes, but at the beginning it was very difficult, as it was like not having brakes at all“, admitted the German, “It only got better when brakes and tires eventually got to the right temperature”. Frank brought the car to the pit stop in an excellent 4th position, with the other two cars having climbed positions through the field. After the pit stop, which saw again the Team WRT crew winning the mechanics award, Vanthoor rejoined in 5th and Jarvis in 8th. The Belgian later passed Afanasiev and was closing on Sandström when he was forced back to the pits with a serious brake problems and flames coming out of the rear left. Once the problem was solved, he could take the track again, having lost 7 laps, to take the 4 points of P8 in the Pro Cup. While Sandström secured another podium finish by taking 3rd, Jarvis concluded in 4th position in the Pro Cup after a stunning end of the race and a masterful overtake on Basseng.

During free practice the good shape of the Audi and its drivers became clear. Laurens Vanthoor and Stéphane Ortelli found a good balance, offering up both extremely fast laps and steady runs.

Laurens Vanthoor: However in qualifying, somehow we did not perform as well as we had expected. For one or another reason Stéphane did not get the full speed out of the WRT Audi R8 LMS Ultra and we did not make it on to the front row of the grid. This meant that we had to be aggressive during the first race, and the qualifying race of the Spanish round of the this highly rated FIA GT Series.”

In that first race, weather conditions were very unpredictable and a tyre choice would be important for the outcome of the race.

Laurens Vanthoor: “We decided to go out on slicks, a gamble, it could have worked out very well for us, but it didn’t… Luckily we scored 4 points, out of a maximum of 8, but nevertheless this should have been a better race.”

The Championship race was another difficult chapter in Laurens Vanthoor’s weekend.

Laurens Vanthoor: “We had a serious brake issue, something that very rarely happens on the car, but it ruined our race. We lost a lot of our bonus with a view to our title rivals and now everything will be decided during the last event, the street race in Baku. We remain confident, as our car is fast and we remain fast driver pairing, but in a race between walls, everything could happen!”

The last race will take place on the 22nd and 23rd of November in Baku – Azerbeidjan

With the morning rain having ceased, Loeb led on a dry track in to the first corner pursued by the sister #10 Sébastien Loeb Racing McLaren MP4-12C of Andreas Zuber (AUT). Zuber pressured his illustrious teammate for most of the first stint until a right rear puncture ensured an early pit stop for a replacement Pirelli tyre. When Loeb handed over the cockpit to his teammate Parente, the #9 McLaren enjoyed a comfortable 11-second margin. Despite a charge from Mike Parisy (FRA), Parente had a secure run to the flag, triggering wild celebrations in the Sébastien Loeb Racing pit garage.

After a faultless weekend, the Sébastien Loeb Racing squad collected 33 points from a maximum of 34 and proved to be the clear pace setters in a variety of track conditions. It was Loeb and Parente’s fourth win of the season, albeit their first in the points-rich main race. The pair has now been promoted in the Pro Cup driver’s standings to fourth place, while in the team’s points they consolidated their second position to ensure that this title goes right down to the wire at the Baku World Challenge by Aztexnika on November 22-24.

Completing the podium at Navarra was Frank Stippler (DEU) and Edward Sandström (SWE) in the #13 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audi R8 LMS ultra. Their race had started in dramatic fashion when the front left brake disc had to be changed on the grid immediately prior to the start, after Stippler reported a long pedal on his reconnaissance laps.

After the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT mechanics completed the quick change, Stippler drove a clean and consistent stint before handing over to Sandström, who ensured 15 points for the pair, meaning that they now head to the final round at the Baku World Challenge by Aztexnika in November just 5 points behind teammates and title rivals Stéphane Ortelli (MCO) and Laurens Vanthoor (BEL).

The #11 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT pairing of Ortelli and Vanthoor had an eventful race that resulted in only an 8th position in the Pro Cup finish. An incident on the opening lap when the #0 BMW Sports Trophy Team Brasil BMW Z4 of Allam Khodair (BRA) tipped Ortelli in to a spin which resulted in the Monegasque driver pirouetting down to 17th position. An excellent recovery drive by Ortelli saw him hand over the Audi to Vanthoor well inside the top ten, but just as the Belgian was catching Sandström for 3rd place, a brake problem ensured a lengthy pit stop and ultimately an 8th place Pro Cup class classification.

Ferocious wheel-to-wheel action took place throughout the 60-minute event with Pro Cup and Pro-Am entries fighting together throughout. Taking 4th place in Pro Cup was the #1 HTP Gravity Charouz Mercedes of Alon Day (ISR) and Stef Dusseldorp (NDL), who fought back from an early spin and a Drive Through penalty for contact with Allam Khodair’s BMW Z4.

The Pro-Am class saw some typically breathtaking GT sprint racing action at Navarra. Claiming their sixth category race win of the season, Sergei Afanasiev (RUS) and Andreas Simonsen (SWE) went a long way to claiming the 2013 Pro Am driver’s title by taking maximum points once again. Perfect stints by both drivers meant they capitalised on championship rival Hari Proczyk (AUT) only finishing in 4th position, meaning that the HTP Gravity Charouz pair is now 19 points ahead with a maximum of 34 points to play for at the final round in Baku.

Afanasiev and Simonsen headed home the Nissan GT Academy Team RJN ‘graduates’ Steve Doherty (USA) and Wolfgang Reip (BEL), both of whom had possibly their most impressive individual performances of the season so far. Doherty made a sensational start and ran as high as 3rd overall before a fraught pit stop window period saw the team having to re-adjust their plans when Doherty missed the pit entry while embroiled in battle with the other Nissan GT-R Nismo of Alex Buncombe (GBR).

When the American handed over to teammate Reip, the #32 Nissan GT Academy entry got stuck behind the Lamborghini Blancpain Reiter driven by Marc Basseng (DEU). For many laps Reip looked for a way passed the Italian built supercar before he completed a bold and audacious manoeuvre in to turn one and then quickly pulled away, sealing a richly merited 2nd place in Pro-Am.

Rounding out the podium at Navarra today in Pro-Am was the Team Novadriver Audi R8 LMS ultra driven by team owner, Cesar Campanico (PRT) and the team’s new recruit, Michael Ammermüller (DEU). Capturing another 3rd place to accompany their similar qualifying effort this morning, the Portuguese team can make the short trip home this evening very satisfied with two competitive showings this weekend.

The Gentlemen Trophy class pair of Michele Rugolo (ITA) and Claudio Sdanewitsch (DEU) signed off with another impressive display in the AF Corse run Ferrari 458 Italia this afternoon. Sdanewitsch, who was racing at Navarra for the very first time, completed a solid stint. Rugolo then finished the race with some inspired laps, to not only take the victory, but also to claim the fastest lap of the race outright.

With a perfect scene now set for an epic 2013 FIA GT Series finale at the inaugural Baku World Challenge by Aztexnika over 22-24 November, title battles in both Pro Cup and Pro Am class are now primed to climax with tense and riveting conclusions.

QUOTES

Sébastien Loeb, Sébastien Loeb Racing – McLaren MP4-12C #9 (Pro)

“I started in pole position, just like in Slovakia but this time I did not have any trouble. I was happy to see Andreas (Zuber) behind me after the first corner. We made a great race together, we were both pushing a lot and he was very close. It was a good race, and the car was fantastic today. This morning, it was the third time that we won the qualifying race. Now it is the first time we win the Main Race. It was a great weekend for the whole team so I am really happy for them.”

Andreas Zuber, Sébastien Loeb Racing – McLaren MP4-12C #10 (Pro)

“I had a puncture but I was really lucky because I was finishing my lap and the pit window just opened. But we managed it, the team did a great pit stop and the car was fantastic. I had a lot of fun driving in both races at Navarra today.”

Frank Stippler, Belgian Audi Club Team WRT – Audi R8 LMS Ultra #13 (Pro)

“I started the race with very low tyre-pressure, which was a part of the problem that we had at the beginning of the race. Another problem, a bigger one, was missing top-end speed. For these reasons I am quite happy with the place where we finished the main race today.”

Sergei Afanasiev, HTP Gravity Charouz – Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 #2 (Pro Am)

“The team did a great job today, and Andreas did a good job too and managed to bring the car back in the pits in one piece for me. Everyone did fantastic work this weekend and I am happy. Concerning the championship, I think it is still a gamble for us because we will have 30 cars in Baku, on a new street circuit, so anything can happen there.”

Steve Doherty, Nissan GT Academy Team RJN – Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 #32 (Pro AM)

“This is definitely the best I have driven the car so far this year, as I struggled a little bit early in the season. Today was definitely a big step forward. The Nissan felt great. I probably had the start of my life when I went from 11th to 3rd place overall. I had a bit of miscommunication in the pit with my team but in the end it worked well and we got a nice result.”

Cesar Campanico, Novadriver – Audi R8 LMS Ultra #14 (Pro Am)

“We started the championship very well at Nogaro but then we had many problems in the following races. So we are very happy with this placing today and the points. We could have done better during the weekend but my teammate (Michael Ammermuller) did a great job and was quick. I must thank the team as well for some super pit stops.”

Claudio Sdanewitsch, AF Corse – Ferrari 458 Italia #50 (Gentlemen Trophy)

“For me it was the most exciting experience to take the start today because starting from this position was new for me and I was surprised to see how everyone was pushing so hard. I did my best to give back an undamaged car to my teammate, in a good position. Michele did a great job because he set the best time on the track, and I would like to thank the AF Corse team as they were brilliant all weekend.”

In order to ensure the highest quality of services and welcome and the best working environment for all the partners, sponsors, teams, crews and spectators taking part in the 2013 Baku World Challenge, it has thus been decided to reschedule the event to November 22 to 24, 2013.

We have no doubt that the Azerbaijani authorities shall take any possible initiative and provide all possible support end efforts to make the 2013 Baku World Challenge a memorable success.

Entered in association with team partner, Eurodatacar, the No.19 entry will be driven by Grégoire Demoustier (FRA) and Duncan Tappy (GBR) in the Pro-Am category of the event. The David Ryan-managed squad will be planning to spring a surprise or two on the more established entry list, using the Frenchman’s experiences from his participation in the 2012 championship.

The line-up reunites a well-established partnership that raced a McLaren MP4-12C in last season’s Blancpain Endurance Series event at Navarra. Tappy took a brilliant class pole position, followed up by a great drive to Pro-Am victory from the duo, and they will be aiming just as high this weekend as the McLaren appears to be well-suited to the demands of the 3.9km track. Both Tappy and Demoustier are hoping to follow up their British GT success at Brands Hatch recently where they claimed a well-deserved second place.

Team Principal David Ryan said of the entry: “Obviously I am delighted that Eurodatacar asked us to do the Navarra race and, while it presents some logistical challenges with the Donington round of the British GT championship the following weekend, we are looking forward to it greatly. In particular, I’m keen to see how we measure up against some of the very best teams in GT sportscar racing today.

“The range of manufacturers due to be present appealed very much to Eurodatacar, whose business is anti-theft marking within the automobile industry, and we’re confident we’ll be able to challenge for success every bit as much as our rivals.”

Grégoire Demoustier added: “I’m delighted to be racing in the FIA GT Series at Navarra with Duncan and Von Ryan Racing. This is a great opportunity for us to measure ourselves against the best. Navarra has been a successful track for the McLaren GT in the past so we hope we can continue that trend.”

Duncan Tappy is very much looking forward to the weekend ahead: “There seems to be quite a special chemistry when Greg and I team up with Von Ryan Racing in a McLaren, so I’m really pleased that the opportunity has come about to race at Navarra. We have done some British GT Championship races this season and everything has gelled nicely. I had a great race at Navarra in the Blancpain Endurance Series last year so am confident that we can achieve something special again.”

A pair of second place finishes in the Pro Cup class last time out at Slovakia Ring saw Belgian Audi Club Team WRT drivers Stéphane Ortelli (MCO) and Laurens Vanthoor (BEL) increase their lead to 19 points at the top of the standings. Hot on their heels are Edward Sandström (SWE) and Frank Stippler (DEU) in the #13 Audi LMS ultra, who scored a third place position in the main race at Slovakia. This was especially well received by the team after they earlier failed to score in the qualifying event. Another fierce battle between the two Audi R8 LMS ultra’s is fully expected this weekend.

Also in the hunt for the title is Niki Mayr-Melnhof in the #13 Team WRT that he normally shares with René Rast (DEU). They came away from Slovakia Ring with an excellent 28-point haul, including a memorable Pro Cup class win in the main race, thrusting them back in to the title reckoning. For Navarra Mayr-Melnhof will be partnered by Audi factory driver Oliver Jarvis (GBR), who stands in for Rast and makes a return to the team he raced for in 2012.

Although by no means out of the Pro Cup series title contention, the Zandvoort main race winning HTP Gravity Charouz Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 of Alon Day (ISR) and Maximilian Buhk (DEU) rued a non-score at Slovakia Ring and must now rely on the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audi cars to hit trouble. With Buhk unavailable this weekend, the team are set to announce who will partner Day for the Navarra round, later this week.

Sure to be quick at Navarra will be the pair of Sebastien Loeb Racing McLaren MP4-12Cs. The Spanish track has been a happy hunting ground for the British built supercar in recent events held there. A triple win for the Hexis Racing team last season in the FIA GT1 World Championship and Blancpain Endurance Series combined, showed that the McLaren was well suited to the demands of the 3.933kms Navarra circuit. As usual the French team enters cars for the man whose name is above the garage door, motorsport legend – Sébastien Loeb (FRA) and Alvaro Parente (PRT) once more shares the #9 McLaren with the nine-time World Rally Champion. Mike Parisy (FRA) and Andreas Zuber (AUT) again line up in the #10 McLaren MP4-12C, hoping to consolidate upon their solid 5th place in the main race at Slovakia Ring.

A new face will be seen in the BMW Sports Trophy Team Brazil pit at Navarra. Replacing Ricardo Zonta, who is racing in his homeland, will be Átila Abreu (BRA). Abreu is no stranger to racing in Europe having finished runner-up to triple F1 World Champion, Sebastien Vettel in the 2004 ADAC Formula BMW Series. The 26-year old has more recently raced in the Brazilian Stock Car and Brazilian GT series’. He joins Sergio Jimenez (BRA) in the #21 BMW Z4 for this race.

The #0 BMW Sports Trophy Team Brazil car of ‘Caca’ Bueno (BRA) and Allam Khodair (BRA) will be looking to put behind them some bad luck so far in 2013 to bolster their points position. The BMW Sports Trophy Team pit crew will certainly be on a high after claiming the Pit Stop challenge award at Slovakia Ring.

A welcome addition to the entry list at Navarra will be the Vita4one Racing Team with one of their familiar BMW Z4 cars. The Michael Bartels owned and run team has recruited ex-F1 driver, Karun Chandhok to line up with their 2012 FIA GT1 World Championship racer, Yelmer Buurman, who returns to the team that he won four races for last season.

Sure to be popular in Spain, the raging bull of Lamborghini Blancpain by Reiter Engineering’s spectacular Gallardo FLII is again piloted by reigning FIA GT1 World Champion, Marc Basseng (DEU). The German made his 2013 series debut at Slovakia Ring but came away disappointed after difficulties blighted his and the teams weekend. Basseng is joined by Zolder race winner, Stefan Rosina (SVK,) for the Navarra round.

Pro-Am

A battle royal is raging in the Pro-Am category between GRT Grasser Racing Team and HTP Gravity Charouz. While the former team with Dominik Baumann (DEU) and Hari Proczyk (AUT) has been consistent in their points scoring, it has been Sergei Afanasiev (RUS) and Andreas Simonsen (SWE) that have taken the majority of race wins – five in total. They now enjoy an eight-point lead with 68 to play for. At Navarra the GRT Grasser Racing Team has drafted in their regular Blancpain Endurance Series driver, Gerhard Tweraser (AUT), to replace the unavailable Baumann.

In their red and white Mercedes SLS AMG GT3, Afanasiev and Simonsen have been in a rich vein of form recently, taking a double Pro-Am category victory at Slovakia Ring, as well as an incredible outright success. Both drivers and their German team are creating strong reputations in the FIA GT Series this year but will still be wary of the GRT Grasser Racing duo, which are determined to stay in touch with their rivals and mount a concerted title challenge.

Now considered outsiders for driver’s title success, but still nevertheless in with a chance, is the Nissan GT Academy Team RJN partnership of Alex Buncombe (GBR) and Lucas Ordonez (ESP). As it stands Buncombe will be aiming to convert one of his now famous charges in to big points at Navarra this weekend. His partner, the original GT Academy graduate- Ordonez, will be racing in his homeland for the first time in his professional career. The recently crowned 2013 Blancpain Endurance Series champion will be aiming to ensure there are more champagne-soaked overalls in the Nissan GT Academy pit on Sunday.

The Nissan GT Academy have a much stronger possibility of winning the Pro-Am team championship as they are just six points away from HTP Gravity Charouz. The team returns to entering two cars at Navarra with GT Academy graduates Steve Doherty (RUS) and Wolfgang Reip (BEL) sharing the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 racer.

Entering one of their McLaren MP4-12C cars this weekend will be Von Ryan Racing. The David Ryan managed squad could produce a memorable cameo performance in Spain, particularly in the hands of the very rapid Duncan Tappy (GBR). He will share the McLaren with Grégoire Demoustier (FRA), who raced last season as partner to Alvaro Parente with Hexis Racing in the FIA GT1 World Championship. This year’s Tappy/Demoustier line-up re-kindles a partnership that raced in last season’s Blancpain Endurance Series event at Navarra in an ART Grand Prix run McLaren. That day Tappy took a brilliant class pole position. He will be aiming just as high this weekend.

The two Portuguese teams of Rodrive, with their Lamborghini Gallardo for Matheus Stumpf (BRA)/Patrick Cunha (POR) and the Novadriver Audi R8 LMS of Cesar Campanico and as yet to be confirmed new team mate, will hope to challenge for victories on what is the closest to being their ‘home race’. Novadriver recovered well from a large accident at Zandvoort and will be striving to reclaim their fantastic early season form, which saw them win at Nogaro back in April.

The Gentlemen Trophy is set to be a straight battle between the HTP Gravity Charouz Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 of recently crowned champions – Petr Charouz (CZE)/Jan Stovicek (CZE) and the AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia of Michele Rugolo (ITA) and Claudio Sdanewitsch (DEU). The AF Corse pairing dominated proceedings in Slovakia and they are keen to take that momentum to produce another efficient performance at Navarra this weekend.

The Navarra weekend begins with test sessions on Friday, before Free Practice and Qualifying takes place on Saturday. Both the qualifying and the main races go on Sunday with live streaming available of both events here – http://www.fiagtseries.com/pages/live