Zandvoort Showdown: Ginetta's Double Victory & Prette's Masterful Triumph!
Ginetta's Uncontested Superiority and Prette's Championship Pursuit
The Ginetta team demonstrated overwhelming performance throughout the Zandvoort rounds of the 2026 GT2 European Series. This strong showing included not only top qualifying positions but also comprehensive wins in both races. While Ginetta's drivers excelled, Philippe Prette meticulously navigated his Maserati to two victories in the Masters category, securing his championship title with unwavering determination.
Race One: Gialdini-Njor Lead Ginetta's Charge and Prette's Masters Masterclass
Ethan Gialdini and Mikkel Njor, piloting the #3 Ginetta G56 from the CMR team, commanded Race One from start to finish. Gialdini's impeccable start from pole position set the tone, maintaining a comfortable lead before handing over to Njor, who crossed the finish line unchallenged, securing both overall and Silver class honors. Meanwhile, the #62 Ginetta of Mike Simpson and Lawrence Tomlinson battled fiercely to claim second place and the Pro-Am class victory. Philippe Prette's strategic brilliance shone in the Masters class, where he overcame an initial challenge from Viktor Mraz to seize and maintain the lead, ultimately finishing fourth overall and first in his category.
Competitive Class Battles and Unfortunate Mechanical Woes
Race One also featured intense competition within the Pro-Am and Silver classes. The Audi of Rosina/Marcucci from LP Racing secured third overall and second in Silver, highlighting their strong performance. LP Racing's Maserati #8, driven by Yu Lee/Pirri, also made a significant impact, claiming second in the Pro-Am class. Unfortunately, mechanical issues plagued the Iron Dames' Maserati #85, preventing Laura Van Den Hengel and Sarah Bovy from participating in the race due to a gearbox problem during qualifying.
Race Two: Ginetta's Strategic Comeback and Prette's Title-Clinching Performance
The second race on Sunday morning offered more drama and a different narrative. Gialdini and Njor orchestrated a remarkable comeback from sixth on the grid to clinch another victory for Ginetta. The early stages saw Reinhard Kofler's #119 KTM-MZR in the lead, but fierce competition and strategic pit stops reshaped the race order. Sarah Bovy, driving for Iron Dames, showed incredible pace, climbing several positions before a rear-right wheel issue forced their retirement. Mike Simpson's aggressive driving put Ginetta in contention, but a post-race penalty for restarting with external aid dropped the #62 Ginetta from second to seventh. This turn of events allowed Philippe Prette, with a blistering final stint, to overtake Mraz and secure second place overall, cementing his Masters Championship title with a race to spare.
Podium Finishes and Championship Celebrations
Following the adjusted results of Race Two, the #119 KTM-MZR of Aigner/Kofler secured fourth place and the Pro-Am class win. Rosina/Marcucci's Audi finished fifth, taking second in the Silver category. The Maserati of Calamia and Pampanini from Dinamic Motorsport also returned to the Pro-Am podium in second. The paddock erupted in celebration for Philippe Prette, who expressed his elation at securing his third consecutive championship on his favorite circuit, acknowledging the immense effort from his team and Maserati. His victory underscored a weekend of high-stakes racing and remarkable achievements at Zandvoort.