GT World Challenge Europe, Audi wins at Monza after mega carom on first lap. Valentino Rossi knocked out
Audi’s Tresor Attempto Racing team triumphed at the Three Hours of Monza, a round valid for the World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS championship. At the Autodromo, the team composed of Ariel Levi, Rocco Mazzola, Sebastian Øgaard, drivers of Audi number 66, surprisingly triumphed starting from 29th position.
The race was characterized at the start by a mega carambole at the first corner, triggered by a contract between a Ferrari, an Aston Martin and a Porsche that eliminated several Pro teams. As many as 7 cars were forced to retire immediately after a few meters. It was still an elimination race: of the 57 cars that started, as many as 23 retired. This included the number 46 BMW of Valentino Rossi, who was forced to stop due to a clutch problem after just three laps.
The three-stop strategy and a safety car due to an accident in the finale revolutionized the standings several times, and eventually rewarded the number 66 Audi, which came in at the finish line ahead of the Mercedes team composed of Auer, Stolz and Engel. In third place was the No. 555 McLaren of Moulin, Andriolo and Lecertua, from the CSA Racing team.
On a day when many of the top Pro cars dropped out, it was a Silver Cup crew that took overall victory. The Bronze Cup went to the #74 Ferrari of the Kessel Racing team, with Dustin Blattner, Dennis Marschall and Lorenzo Patrese at the wheel, who finished ninth overall, while the Gold Cup win went to the #71 Ferrari of the Selected Car Racing team, which crossed the line in 15th overall with Simon Birch, Malte Ebdrup and Frederik Schandorff at the wheel.
The 2026 season resumes next month with the most important race of the year, the 24 Hours of Spa, now in its 78th year.
