The 2022 season of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS draws to a close at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend with the final round of the Endurance Cup. SPS automotive performance leads the Pro-Am class going into the deciding race at the circuit near the Catalonian metropolis. A good result could see the team and its drivers Valentin Pierburg (GER), Dominik Baumann (AUT) and Ian Loggie (GBR) bring the title to Willsbach.
The GT World Challenge Europe is regarded as one of the top GT3 series in the world. The Endurance Cup, in particular, poses a real challenge. The SPS automotive team is now in its third season in this highly-competitive racing series. In recent years, it has been active in both the Sprint and Endurance Cup. During this time, the team has achieved several notable successes, including finishing runner-up in the Pro-Am class in last season’s overall standings in the GT World Challenge Europe. In 2022, the Willsbach-based team has focussed on the Endurance Cup. With two class victories in the first two races, and two podiums in the subsequent events, the team goes into the all-important final race with a slender lead over the opposition in the Pro-Am class. However, to secure the title in the Endurance Cup within the GT World Challenge Europe, SPS automotive performance will need a good result and to finish ahead of its closest rivals in the championship. With everything still to play for, it promises to be an exciting finale, from which the team is determined to emerge triumphant with the #20 Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Regulations mean that Dominik Baumann, who also leads the Drivers’ Championship on points scored, cannot win the Drivers title. Valentin Pierburg comes into the final race in fourth place and could still climb into third if everything goes his way. Ian Loggie, who missed two Endurance Cup races, is currently seventh in the table. All the drivers and the whole team are determined to finally win the title in their third season in the series.
The season finale kicks off with free practice at 09:00 CEST on Saturday 1st October. The final three-hour race starts at 15:00 CEST on Sunday 2nd October.
Dominik Baumann, #20 Mercedes-AMG GT3: “The situation ahead of the finale could not be more exciting. We have a slender lead and will have to perform well to win the title. However, I am confident that we can do it.”
Stephan Sohn, team principal SPS automotive performance: “We want to crown our strong season in the Endurance Cup with the title. As championship leaders, we are obviously under a certain degree of pressure. However, we have a lot of experience in this series, which will help us cope with the situation. I am optimistic that we can end the day on top.”
