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).
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| © 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.
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| © 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.
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| © 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.