Unfortunately, luck was not on the side of SPS automotive performance at the opening round of the GT World Challenge Europe at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. The team from Willsbach was forced to retire just a few laps into the three-hour race.
Willsbach – The long-awaited start to this season’s GT World Challenge Europe did not play out as expected for SPS automotive performance. In an exciting qualifying session, the trio of Christian Hook, Florian Scholze and Nico Bastian (all GER) were seventh fastest in the Pro-Am class, putting the #44 Mercedes-AMG GT3 in 39th place on the grid and earning them a good starting position for the three-hour race.
When the 46-strong field got underway, Christian Hook initially maintained his position. However, just a few laps into the race, Hook strayed slightly from the track and spun off into the crash barriers. He was able to guide the car back to the pits, but the team determined that the damage could not be prepared and the car was retired from the race.
SPS automotive performance must wait just two weeks for its next opportunity to pick up the team’s first points in the Pro-Am at round two of the GT World Challenge Europe, which takes place at the Misano World Circuit.
Stephan Sohn, team principal SPS automotive performance: “We had obviously envisaged a very different start to the season. However, these things happen in motorsport. We must now look ahead and focus on the next race in two weeks. “
