BMW M Team WRT Storms to Victory at Brands Hatch
BMW M Team WRT roared into the 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup with a bang, bagging a sensational win at the legendary Brands Hatch circuit. Belgian duo Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts steered the #32 BMW M4 GT3 to top spot in the first of Sunday’s two races.
Race 1: Vanthoor and Weerts Dominate the Track
- Starting third, Vanthoor quickly charged up to second before the driver swap.
- BMW’s flawless pit stop handed the lead to Charles Weerts.
- After a fierce hour, the pair clinched a hard-fought victory.
- Their teammates Valentino Rossi and Maxime Martin crossed fifth but were hit with a pit lane speeding penalty, dropping them to 15th.
Race 2: Mixed Fortunes for Rossi and Martin
- Rossi and Martin fought from 11th up to sixth — showing fighting spirit.
- Steering problems forced Rossi to pit while in eighth, spoiling their charge.
- Meanwhile, Weerts and Vanthoor started 10th and battled to finish seventh.
Silver Cup Shines for Team WRT
- In the Silver Cup class, Team WRT’s #30 BMW M4 GT3 shone as Sam De Haan (GBR) and Calan Williams (AUS) grabbed second and third on the podium.
Team Voices: Celebration and Resolve
- Vincent Vosse, Team Principal: “Starting the season with a Brands Hatch win is fantastic. Dries was brilliant, and the pit crew was lightning fast. Valentino and Maxime had some bad luck but still gave a solid effort.”
- Dries Vanthoor (#32): “Race one was intense; the pit stop made all the difference. Charles sealed the win perfectly. Can’t wait for the next race!”
- Charles Weerts (#32): “Our pit crew was outstanding. Winning here gives us great momentum.”
- Maxime Martin (#46): “Tough breaks, but a positive weekend. Looking forward to Misano!”
- Valentino Rossi (#46): “Brands Hatch was tough but fun. Excited for what’s next at Misano!”
The Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup is just getting started — expect more nail-biting action as the season speeds on. Stay tuned!
