FIA GT1 Championship 2010

PRESS RELEASE - 26 March 2010

Here is the latest news update from the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship. All of these stories, and more, are available on the championship website at www.gt1world.com.

GROSJEAN JOINS MUTSCH AT MATECH

2009 Renault F1 driver, 2008 GP2 Asia and 2007 Euro F3 Champion Romain Grosjean has been announced by Matech Competition as co-driver for Thomas Mutsch in 2010.

The French / Swiss driver, who lives in Geneva, will celebrate his 24th birthday behind the wheel of the nr 5 Ford GT at Abu Dhabi, where he will be competing in the first round of the FIA GT1 World Championship.

Romain Grosjean: “Like any driver, I am happy when I have a wheel in my hands. The opportunity to join Martin Bartek’s team allows me to discover a new environment and a growing discipline. The fact that the GT1 received the World label represents a great challenge that I look forward to with great motivation. I know the team has worked a lot on the Ford GT1 for this new championship, and I hope that between Thomas and myself we will aim for the podium. We will put all our efforts to this."

Martin Bartek: “The arrival of Romain Grosjean brings great value to our team. Romain is young and has already accumulated victories and titles in all disciplines of racing cars, results that led him to F1. His experience and his speed, combined with the qualities of Thomas Mutsch will allow us to see the future with eager anticipation.”

FIA GT1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ADOPTS F1 POINTS SYSTEM

The FIA GT1 World Championship will adopt the new Formula One points-scoring system for the 2010 season.

The decision follows the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting on Thursday 11 March. Each of the 10 events in 2010 will feature two 60-minute races, one Qualifying and one Championship race.

Qualifying will take place over three periods, with the eight slowest cars dropping out after the first and second periods, leaving the final eight to battle for pole position. The Qualifying race will determine the grid for the Championship race on the final day. There will be a mandatory pit stop for tyre and driver change in each race. Points will be awarded to the top three in the Qualifying race and the top 10 in the Championship race, instead of the top eight.

Besides Formula One and GT1, the other two FIA-sanctioned world championships - the World Rally Championship and World Touring Car Championship, will also adopt the revised points system as will the FIA GT3 European Championship.

In GT1, points will now be awarded for the Championship Race on the following scale ...

  1 ..... 25 points
  2 ..... 18 points
  3 ..... 15 points
  4 ..... 12 points
  5...... 10 points
  6 ......  8 points
  7 ......  6 points
  8 ......  4 points
  9 ......  2 points
10 ......  1 point

The points awarded to the top three in the Qualifying race will also be changed on the following scale ...

  1 .....  8 points
  2 .....  6 points
  3 .....  4 points

BRITISH DUO COMPLETE SUMO POWER GT DRIVER LINE UP

The Sumo Power GT team has announced that British drivers Jamie Campbell-Walter and Warren Hughes will share the second of the team’s Nissan GT-Rs. They will join Michael Krumm and Peter Dumbreck, who were confirmed last month.

Campbell-Walter was the 2000 FIA GT champion, driving a Lister Storm with Julian Bailey, and a regular in the FIA GT Championship between 2000 and 2004, with 12 overall victories and seven pole positions.

He held the record for the number of the FIA GT wins until 2008, when he was overtaken by Swiss Racing Team’s Karl Wendlinger who has recorded 17 wins.

CLICK HERE for more on this story

LONGIN AND BOBBI SPEARHEAD TRIPLE H MASERATI CHALLENGE

Belgian GT specialist Bert Longin and Italy’s former champion Matteo Bobbi have been paired together in the Triple H Maserati for 2010.

CLICK HERE for more on this story

Q&A WITH CHRISTOFFER NYGAARD, YOUNG DRIVERS AMR

Christoffer Nygaard has a busy season ahead of him when, uniquely, he will race an Aston Martin DB9 for Young Driver AMR in the FIA GT1 World Championship and enter his second year in the FIA GT3 European Championship in the Fischer Racing Ford GT.

CLICK HERE for more on this story

HIRSCHI AT HEXIS AMR

To find out what he had to say about joining the French outfit and his aspirations for the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship CLICK HERE.

MAASSEN JOINS MAD CROC

The Dutch driver Xavier Maassen has been added to the Mad-Croc Racing lineup for the 2010 season. Maassen, 29, will pilot the No.11 Corvette managed by DKR Engineering. He joins Mad Croc signatures Oliver Gavin, Mika Salo, and Pertti Kuismanen who will share the No.12 car.

CLICK HERE for more on this story


PRESS RELEASE - 2 March 2010

Here is the latest news update from the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship.

FIA GT1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS LAUNCHED IN PARIS

The newest motorsport world championship has stepped onto the world stage with the ringing endorsement of Jean Todt, President of the Fédération Internationale de L’Automobile (FIA).

Mr Todt presided over the unveiling of the cars, teams and drivers that will compete in the 2010 championship at the official launch in Paris.

Along with Stephane Ratel, CEO of SRO Motorsports Group and promoter of the FIA GT1 World Championship, Mr Todt spoke at length to a room full of international media and teams at the Automobile Club de France before travelling to the Place Vendôme to unveil 12 of the GT1 supercars.

In addressing the gathering, Mr Todt said: “It’s a big privilege for me to be here to share this important moment with Stephane Ratel, whose determination and passion has brought together all the different elements to form the FIA GT1 World Championship.”

CLICK HERE for more on this story

GT1 DRIVERS CALL FOR A DECADE OF ROAD SAFETY

The GT1 World Championship demonstrated its support for the Make Roads Safe campaign and the call for a Decade of Action for Road Safety at the official launch of the 2010 GT1 season in Paris today. The initiative forms part of the FIA’s continued commitment and support for the Commission for Global Road Safety and its Make Roads Safe campaign.

Jean Todt, FIA President, said: “Tomorrow, the UN General Assembly is set to approve a Decade of Action for Road Safety. If this happens, we could save five million lives over the next 10 years. I am pleased that the GT1 World Championship has joined the ranks of other FIA series to give further exposure to the campaign and help the Decade become a reality.”

CLICK HERE for more on this story

Matech Competition : Bernoldi joins Mutsch

Matech Competition has announced its final driver line up for the GT1 World Championship. In car 5, the factory driver Thomas Mutsch will be partnered by Enrique Bernoldi. The 31 year old from Curitiba in Brazil is no stranger to GT cars having competed in GT1 last season, securing 2 pole positions, 3 podiums and a win, from only 5 races.

Martin Bartek, Team Principal and Owner said today “This is going to be an incredible driver pairing and we are looking forward to strong support for Matech when the championship arrives in Germany and Brazil later this year.” Thomas Mutsch said : “I’m really pleased to share the car with Enrique. I have known him for many years before now. He was very fast last year in FIA GT and I’m sure we are going to make a great driver pairing this season.”

CLICK HERE for more on this story

NISMO: NISSAN GT-Rs from Sumo Power GT and Swiss Racing Team unveiled in Paris

Under glorious skies in the centre of the French capital, a press conference was held at the Automobile Club de France officially launching the new-for-2010 FIA GT1 World Championship. Ahead of what is expected to be an extremely competitive inaugural season, the event drew nearly 300 people, including the media, manufacturer representatives, sponsors, teams and drivers. Emceed by ex-racer Tiff Needell, the event’s first speaker was FIA President Jean Todt, followed by series’ founder and CEO of the SRO Motorsports Group Stephane Ratel.

CLICK HERE for more on this story


PRESS RELEASE - 10 February 2010

Here is the latest news update from the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship.

Dear Enrico

Here is the latest news update from the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship. All of these stories, and more, are available on the championship website at www.gt1world.com.

2010 NEW FIA GT1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BRAND IDENTITY



Interstate Associates Develop New Branding

In December last year, Interstate Associates were appointed by SRO to help evaluate, research and re-design the brand identity of the FIA GT1 World Championship and the result is a new 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship brand identity. Having been awarded world championship status by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, this year’s FIA GT1 World Championship will visit 10 countries in four continents, supported with a new logo and identity.

This year, the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship, GT2 and GT3 European Championships, will be split into three new distinct and easily identifiable championships. The FIA GT1 World Championship will be for independent teams and professional drivers, the FIA GT2 European Championship for independent teams and pro-am driver crews, and the FIA GT3 European Championship for independent teams and non-professional drivers.

CLICK HERE for more on this story

FIA BALANCE OF PERFORMANCE TEST

Paul Ricard HTTT – 21/22 February 2010

The second Official Test Session will be held at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit on February 21st and 22nd. The Balance of Performance testing procedure will take place for both GT1 and GT3 cars, and as such, the session will not be open to the media. We hope that as many media as possible will join us in Paris on March 1st for the official launch of the Championship, and the first opportunity to see all the cars taking part in the 2010 season.

OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE 2010 FIA GT1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Paris – Monday 1 March 2010

The official launch of the new FIA GT1 World Championship will take place in Paris on Monday 1 March in the Place de la Concorde. The press conference will start at 12 o’clock, followed by interview opportunities and a buffet lunch.

SRO APPOINTS PRISM TO GT1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PR BRIEF

Leading Sponsorship And Sports Marketing Agency To Manage Global PR Campaign For New FIA World Championship

SRO Motorsports Group have appointed PRISM (Public Relations and International Sports Marketing) to manage a global PR campaign for the soon to launch FIA GT1 World Championship. Under the agreement, PRISM will provide strategic counsel and PR activation via their global network. PRISM is the WPP’s leading sponsorship and public relations partner. PRISM will work alongside Mark Thursfield, the SRO PR Manager, Jacquie Groom, SRO Head of Motorsport Media and Jeff Carter, the FIA Media Delegate.

Cameron Kelleher is PRISM’s Account Director and Alex Hocking is the Account Executive.

Q&A WITH STEPHANE RATEL

A new chapter in the history of sports car racing begins this year with the launch of the FIA GT1 World Championship. French entrepreneur, Stephane Ratel, 46, is the long-time promoter of GT racing and has spent the past year envisaging a new world championship which evolves from the European-based FIA GT Championship. Stephane speaks ahead of the official launch of the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship which takes place in Paris on March 1st.

CLICK HERE to read the full interview

DELETRAZ TO RACE IN GT1 WORLD WITH HEXIS AMR

After a year of transition in GT3, working on the development of the Audi R8 LMS, Jean-Denis Deletraz is happy to announce his participation in the FIA GT1 World Championship. After four years with Phoenix Racing Deletraz is joining Hexis AMR, the team which won the 2009 FIA GT3 European Teams Championship. Jean-Denis will partner FIA GT3 race winner Frederic Makowiecki in the Aston Martin DB9.

CLICK HERE for more on this story

MOSER TO PARTNER WENDLINGER AT SWISS RACING

Swiss driver Henri Moser (23) has already made a name for himself in motorsports. Swiss Racing Team officially announced that the 2007 FIA GT3 European Champion and successful 2009 ADAC GT-Masters pilot will be sharing the cockpit of the Nissan GT-R with Austrian top driver Karl Wendlinger in the FIA GT1 World Championship.

CLICK HERE for more on this story

DRIVER LINEUP ANNOUNCED AT YOUNG DRIVERS AMR

Young Drivers AMR has announced their driver line up for the 2010 season with Britain’s Darren Turner racing alongside Czech driver Tomas Enge in the first of the teams Aston Martin DB9 in the FIA GT1 World Championship. The second Aston Martin DB9 will be driven by Germany’s Stefan Mücke and FIA GT race winner Christoffer Nygaard from Denmark.

OFFICIAL FIA ENTRY LIST
TeamNationality Marque and car
Hexis AMRFRA Aston Martin DB9
Hexis AMRFRA Aston Martin DB9
Young Driver AMRDEU Aston Martin DB9
Young Driver AMRDEU Aston Martin DB9
Mad-Croc RacingBEL Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Mad-Croc RacingBEL Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Phoenix Racing / CarsportDEU Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Phoenix Racing / CarsportDEU Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Marc VDS Racing TeamBEL Ford GT *
Marc VDS Racing TeamBEL Ford GT *
Matech CompetitionCHE Ford GT *
Matech CompetitionCHE Ford GT *
All-Inkl.com Münnich MotorsportDEU Lamborghini Murcielago R-SV *
All-Inkl.com Münnich MotorsportDEU Lamborghini Murcielago R-SV *
ReiterDEU Lamborghini Murcielago R-SV *
ReiterDEU Lamborghini Murcielago R-SV *
Triple H Team HegersportDEU Maserati MC12
Triple H Team HegersportDEU Maserati MC12
Vitaphone Racing TeamDEU Maserati MC12
Vitaphone Racing TeamDEU Maserati MC12
Sumo Power GTGBR Nissan GT-R *
Sumo Power GTGBR Nissan GT-R *
Swiss Racing TeamCHE Nissan GT-R *
Swiss Racing TeamCHE Nissan GT-R *
* FIA homologation in progress

2010 FIA GT1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR (Provisional)
DateCountry Circuit
17 AprilUnited Arab Republic Yas Marina
2 MayGreat Britain Silverstone
23 MayCzech Republic Brno
4 JulyFrance Paul Ricard HTTT
1 AugustBelgium Spa Francorchamps
29 AugustGermany Nürburgring
19 SeptemberPortugal Portimao
7 NovemberSouth Africa Durban *
28 NovemberBrazil Interlagos
5 DecemberArgentina San Luis
* Subject to the ASN's confirmation

For further information on the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship visit www.gt1world.com

Jeff Carter
Media Delegate, FIA GT1 World Championship


PRESS RELEASE - SRO Motorsports Group17 January 2010

12 Teams Have Applied for Entry to the FIA GT1 World Championship

Entries for the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship closed on Friday December 15th, at midnight. Six brands will be represented, with 12 teams each with two cars, making a total of 24 cars on the grid.

To the best of our knowledge, the following teams have confirmed their intention to take part in the new Championship, sending in their candidature to the FIA.

Aston Martin would be represented by French team Hexis AMR, winners of the 2009 FIA GT3 European Teams Championship, and by German team Young Drivers AMR.

For Corvette, the two teams are Madcroc Racing, a team made from a collaboration between FIA GT regulars Selleslagh Racing Team and DKR, and Phoenix Racing Carsport, also a joint venture between two well-known teams, Phoenix Racing and Toine Hezemans’s Carsport Holland.

The Ford teams would be Matech Competition, from Switzerland, and Belgian team Marc VDS Racing, both of whom already competed in the FIA GT Championship in 2009.

Lamborghini would be represented by Münnich Motorsport, run by Mr René Münnich, of All Inkl.com, and by Reiter, both of whom have entered Lamborghinis in the FIA GT Championship.

The Maserati teams would be the five-time FIA GT Champions Vitaphone Racing Team, and new team Triple H Team Hegersport, led by former race winner Altfrid Heger.

For Nissan, the teams would be Swiss Racing Team, in the hands of Oltmar Welti, and new British team Sumo Power GT, led by Mr James Rumsey.

The applications will now be examined by the FIA, before an entry list is released by the end of the month.

For Stephane Ratel, this is the culmination of years of work. “It is a dream come true and the beginning of something big. We are now going to concentrate on making the FIA GT2 European Championship a similar success”


Provisional race dates for the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship:

Round   1 - Yas Marina, United Arab Emirates, 17th April 2010

Round   2 - Silverstone, England, 2nd May 2010

Round   3 - Brno, Czech Republic, 23rd May 2010

Round   4 - Paul Ricard HTTT, France, 4th July 2010

Round   5 - Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, 1st August 2010

Round   6 - Nürburgring, Germany, 29th August 2010

Round   7 - Portimao, Portugal, 19th September 2010

Round   8 - Durban, South Africa, 7th November 2010

Round   9 - Interlagos, Brazil, 28th November 2010

Round 10 - San Luis, Argentina, 5th December 2010

For the latest News from the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship visit the FIA GT web site at www.fiagt.com.