Wednesday, 13 April 2016

ELMS Silverstone : GTE Preview

9 cars will fill the GTE field at the season opening race in Silverstone this weekend, of which 8 will race the full season. GTE will be a battle between Ferrari (5 cars), Porsche (2 cars) and Aston Martin (2 cars).

© ELMS - Adrenal Media
Title defenders Formula Racing lead the field in their #60 Ferrari 458 GTE. After a succesfull season last year, gentleman driver Johnny Laursen returns with Mikkel Mac at his side. The youngster impressed last year at the wheel of the Ferrari with some very mature driving and bold overtaking moves. The team will be completed by Christina Nielsen, who combines her drive in the IMSA championship with a full season ELMS and Le Mans campaign. Christina won the GTD class at Sebring last month.

© ELMS - Adrenal Media
No Ferrari without AF Corse on the grid. The Italian team has 2 cars on the full season entry list for 2016. Ferrari regulars Rui Augas and Marco Cioci join Pierguiseppe Perazzini in the #51, Aaron Scott, Matt Friggin and Duncan Cameron will share the #55.

JMW Motorsport also returns to the ELMS with their faithful 458 GTE. The yellow/black #66 will be driven by Robert Smith, Rory Butcher and Ferrari veteran and factory driver Andrea Bertolini.

The fifth Ferrari is fielded by Austrian team AT Racing, driven by Alexander Talkanitsa Sr and Jr, joined again by Alessandro Pier Guidi. They scored their maiden victory at Imola last year and will be eager to do that again this season.

Proton Competition takes on the challenge to the Ferrari armada, entering 2 Porsche 911 RSR's. The #77 will be driven by Michael Hedlund and Marco Seefried who will be joined by Porsche factory driver Wolf Henzler, who returns to the European circuits after several successfull years in the States (and doubles the weekend with driving duties in WEC also). The #88 will be in the hands of Gianluca Roda, Christian Ried and factory driver Richard Lietz who won the WEC GTE title last year.

© ELMS - Adrenal Media
2 Aston Martins complete the GTE field in Silverstone. The #96 Aston Martin isn't a full season entry, and will (for now) only race at Silverstone. It will be driven by Roald Goethe, Stuart Hall and Richie Stanaway.

The #99 Beachdean Vantage V8 made its debut in last seasons closing race at Estoril and is now entered for a full season program in the series. As their fellow Aston competitors, this team also has a strong line-up with Andrew Howard, Jonny Adam and Alex MacDowall. Jonny Adam will be replaced by Darren Turner this weekend due to other racing commitments at the British GT Championship in Brands Hatch this weekend. Turner will also have a busy weekend ahead with ELMS and WEC on his plate.