The GT World Challenge powered by AWS Sprint Cup begins at Brands Hatch, with a 30-car field expected to take the plunge into Paddock Hill Bend next weekend (3/4 May).
No fewer than 10 different car manufacturers are expected to take to the Grand Prix circuit – a record for the Sprint Cup. Additionally, the 30-strong entry is the biggest the Kent circuit will have hosted since 2017.
This year’s entry is peppered with talent, with a range of leading GT racers flocking to the UK to take on Brands Hatch’s famed longer layout. Fans watching at the circuit will have plenty to look forward to, with a pair of 60-minute races on Sunday following practice and qualifying sessions on Saturday.
Star entries to watch amongst the Pro contingent include Maro Engel and Lucas Auer with Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG. The duo who won at Brands Hatch last spring will hope to recapture the form which carried them to last year’s Sprint Cup title. Others to watch will include Boutsen VDS with its similar machine, hoping to build on a strong 2024 showing with Maximilian Götz and Maxime Martin at the wheel.
Team WRT is the defending teams' champion and among the leading candidates to secure more success in 2025. The squad’s lead entry has a new driver line-up for the first time since 2019, with Kelvin van der Linde joining three-time Sprint Cup champion Charles Weerts. Victory in the opening Endurance Cup round at Circuit Paul Ricard should ensure this team arrives at Brands Hatch in high spirits.
Ferrari has never won an overall Sprint Cup crown, but it has a fantastic chance this year as AF Corse Francorchamps Motors enters two Pro cars. One of these will be piloted by Arthur Leclerc and Thomas Neubauer whilst the other sees 2015 Sprint Cup champion Vincent Abril joined by reigning Endurance champion Alessio Rovera. Emil Frey Racing will also field a strong Pro pairing of Ben Green and Konsta Lappalainen.
Rutronik Racing brings another stable line-up as Porsche works drivers Patric Niederhauser and Sven Müller return. Grasser Racing has moved into the Pro Sprint ranks for the first time since 2019 too, with Jordan Pepper and Luca Engstler sharing a Lamborghini, while Barwell Motorsport will also field a Huracán for British duo Sandy Mitchell and Hugo Cook.
Garage 59 regular Benjamin Goethe will partner with Marvin Kirchhöfer, with the duo aiming to bring McLaren a first overall win in the Sprint Cup since 2016. CSA Racing will also field a 720S GT3 Evo for the French duo of Simon Gachet and Jim Pla.
HRT Ford Performance will field Jusuf Owega alongside young French racer Romain Andriiolo in a Mustang whilst Walkenhorst Motorsport completes the Pro field with an Aston Martin for Henrique Chaves and Mateo Villagomez.
The full entry list also includes competitors racing for honours in the Gold Cup and Silver Cup, based on the driver ratings of the entered drivers. Click here to view the complete entry list.
Tickets for GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS at Brands Hatch on 3/4 May are available from £33 in advance with reductions for 13-15-year-olds and FREE entry for under-13s. For more information and to book now, click here.