Second round of international GT World Challenge Sprint European Championship series was driven in traditional italian circuit of Misano. Flying Finn and Emil Frey Racing Ferrari 296 driver Konsta Lappalainen encountered a dissapointing weekend due lack of overtake possibilities and therefore he and his fellow british co-driver Ben Green was forced to satisfy for 4th and 7th positions in overall classifications.
The thrilling weekend was driven in sweaty and hot summer conditions. Ben Green drove first qualifying and collect superb P2 starting position. Lappalainen wasn’t able to deliver same pace and P8 for second race was a big dissapointment.
In first race Green and Lappalainen had very intense battle against series leaders Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts. However after fierce position defending they lost two positions as also their Emil Frey Racing sister car drivers, dutch Thierry Vermeulen and italian Giacomo Altoe overtook the Ferrari 296 GT3 drivers and therefore 4th position in overall standings was a frustrating result.
Second race was driven six hours later in pitch black conditions. Lappalainen started in 8th position and after one hour of intense racing him and Ben Green finished the race in 7th position. Even the result was a big dissapointment, the duo is in second position in overall standings as there are still six rounds to be driven.
– 4th and 7th positions were not so bad. However we had big possibilities to achieve better results and we missed our opportunities. Especially I’m very dissapointed for my own qualifying result as we know that it is quite near impossible to pass our fellow rivals with our Ferrari 296 GT3. Therefore I really need to be better in qualifying in forthcoming events, Lappalainen tells.
Nine-times MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi had a superb weekend as he and his belgium team mate Maxime Martin were victorious in first race and collect another podium in second race. Due excellent results they rised into 5th position in overall standings. Konsta Lappalainen is in third position and just 2,5 points gap to Rossi.
– GT World Challenge Sprint EU series leaders Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts have collect 20,5 points more than us. In next round, which is to be driven in middle of July at german circuit of Hockenheimring, I have to be in better speed if we want to drive more than bronze position. I know that my performance in qualifying hasn’t been what it should have been and this is the thing I need to improve the most, Lappalainen shares his visions.
Final results GT World Challenge EU Sprint Misano #1, Saturday 18th May 2024: Overall top-5:
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) & Maxime Martin (BEL), Team WRT, BMW M4 GT3, 39 laps
2. Dries Vanthoor (BEL) & Charles Weerts (BEL), Team WRT, BMW M4 GT3, +0.275s
3. Thierry Vermeulen (NDL) & Giacomo Altoe (ITA), Emil Frey Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3, +16.790s
4. Konsta Lappalainen (FIN) & Ben Green (GBR), Emil Frey Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3, +32.054s
5. Maro Engel (GER) & Lucas Auer (AUT), Winward Racing Team, Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, +37.540s
Final results GT World Challenge EU Sprint Misano #2, Saturday 18th May 2024: Overall top-3:
1. Dries Vanthoor (BEL) & Charles Weerts (BEL), Team WRT, BMW M4 GT3, 38 laps
2. Maro Engel (GER) & Lucas Auer (AUT), Winward Racing Team, Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, +1.963s
3. Valentino Rossi (ITA) & Maxime Martin (BEL), Team WRT, BMW M4 GT3, +2.552s
—
7. Konsta Lappalainen (FIN) & Ben Green (GBR), Emil Frey Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3, +19.400s
T World Challenge EU Sprint standings 4/10 rounds, PRO-group, top-5:
1. Dries Vanthoor (BEL) & Charles Weerts (BEL), Team WRT, BMW M4 GT3, 49p
2. Maro Engel (GER) & Lucas Auer (AUT), Winward Racing Team, Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, 45p
3. Konsta Lappalainen (FIN) & Ben Green (GBR), Emil Frey Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3, +29,5p
4. Thierry Vermeulen (NDL) & Giacomo Altoe (ITA), Emil Frey Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3, 29p
5. Valentino Rossi (ITA) & Maxime Martin (BEL), Team WRT, BMW M4 GT3, 27p
