The GT2 European Series season kicked off last weekend on the Paul Ricard circuit, a track on which the Trident made its return at the end of 2023. A total of 12 cars make up the line-up (down on 2024). including four Maserati MC20 GT2s, which face off against Mercedes AMG GTs, Lamborghini Super Trofeo and KTM X-Bow.
Engaged
Two MC20 GT2s are entered by the LP Racing team, the Trident's flagship team in the GT2 series, with n°8 entrusted in the Pro-AM category to Anik Patel and Eddie Cheever (son of the former F1 driver in the 80s, who drove for Tyrrell, Ligier, Renault, Arrows and Alfa Romeo) and n°1 entrusted in the Amateur category to Monegasque Philippe Prette, reigning champion in the category. DINAMIC Motorsport runs Pro-Am #7 for Italian Roberto Pampanini and Swiss Mauro Calamia, former Trofeo Maserati winner. Last but not least, TFT Racing has Frenchmen Patrick Charlaix and Jordan Boisson on board, in the Amateur category. In fact, there are two categories: the Pro-AM requires a pairing of an amateur and a pro driver, while the Amateur category does not involve professional drivers.
The MC20 at the helm
The Paul Ricard meeting was an opportunity for Maserati to make several announcements. We have already mentioned the launch of the GT2 Endurance Packbut Trident has also made it official the induction of the MC20 GT2 Stradale as a safety car in the GT World Challenge Europe championship, and the MC20 as "lead car" at the start of the races. The two Maseratis made their official car debuts here in the Var region. The MC20 lead car comes in a beautiful Rose Gold Liquid Metal shade, available in the Fuoriserie options catalog.
Powering up...
Maria Conti, Managing Director of Maserati Corse, was present for this important launch and we had the opportunity to talk to her about the brand's current and future commitments. Maria Conti is the first woman to head up Maserati's competition department, having previously worked for Alfa Romeo and then as head of communications at the Trident, taking up her post on October 1. The GT2 marks Maserati's return to competition, after decades of absence. It's a return that must be approached with determination, but also humility: "We have to grow little by little after a long absence from competition. We need to rebuild Maserati's reputation and credibility in motorsport.
For the time being, the idea is to grow on GT2, which the new Endurance package makes possible: "GT2 is now eligible in other championships, such as the Ultimate Cup and the Italian Sprint Championship. The next objectives are to launch GT2 in the UK, Japan and of course the USA by next year, which is a key market for the brand". GT2 is also relevant for Maserati in the sense that this class is accessible to gentlemen-drivers.
...and more?
Of course, the question of next steps was raised: is GT3 a possibility? Not for the time being: "We're just getting back into the swing of things. If we launch ourselves too quickly without having proven ourselves in other categories, it doesn't make sense. GT3 is a big category, with lots of manufacturers. We need to take it step by step, without rushing things.
The brand is well represented in GT2 European with 4 cars entered by private teams, who receive technical support "if they wish". As Thomas Bricout also explained, "Maserati Corse engineers are on hand to receive feedback from the teams and drivers in order to improve the car. In return, they put their expertise at the service of the teams for advice on settings, problems to be solved or repairs to be carried out. It goes both ways.
Projects in the pipeline
Formula E is also on the Trident program. Despite the difficulties surrounding the Folgore range, the Modena-based brand's involvement in this championship seems to be perennial, although it's more a question of marketing than technical involvement, given that Formula E is a one-design championship. Perhaps we'll find out more at the Monaco E-Prix. Finally, we asked Maria Conti about Maserati Corse's future plans.
The gentleman driver program, the brand is obviously currently focused on MCXtrema production, but another radical supercar with a link to the glorious past cannot be ruled out in the future. Finally, on the question of a return to the Trofeo Maserati, the single-brand championship that existed between 2003 and 2015, the door is not closed: "It's obviously a project that's under consideration, as the Maserati Trofeo is emblematic for the brand". In fact, the Maserati showroom in the paddock lined up the prototype MC20 GT2, two MCXTremas, the GT2 Stradale and the Maserati Trofeo Granturismo side by side. The GT2 prototype was driven by Andrea Bertolini, test driver and former FIA-GT world champion in the MC12 GT1.
Mixed results at Paul Ricard
The weather was complicated this weekend, especially on Sunday, with scattered showers making the track a trap. LP Racing's #8 MC20 GT2 got off to an ideal start with pole position in Race 1, but its race came to an abrupt end right at the start when it crashed under braking. Philipe Prette saved Trident's honor by winning the amateur class, finishing 5th overall, while Dinamic Motorsport had to be content with 5th place in Pro-AM (7th overall). In Race 2, Dinamic Motorsport's n°7 finished a creditable 3rd on the podium. In the amateur category, Maserati had to be content with 4th and 5th places. As for LP n°8, which was involved in an accident at the start of Race 1, it could not be repaired in time and had to forfeit the race. Next round at Zandvoort, in the Netherlands!
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