SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, BELGIUM – Oman’s Al-Faisal Al-Zubair and Canadian team-mate Mikaël Grenier resume their part-time 2024 International GT Open campaign at round three on the demanding Spa-Francorchamps circuit this weekend.
The Al-Manar Racing by Getspeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 pair finished first and fourth in the two races at the opening round at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão in April, but skipped round two in Germany last month.
Spa brings a different format. Called the ‘GT Open 500’, it is a single longer race on the 7.004km circuit instead of two shorter ones, with Pro, Pro-Am and Am classes. It lasts 2hrs 40mins plus one lap, with three mandatory pit stops; each driver must complete two stints, no double stints are allowed, and double points are awarded. Al-Zubair and Grenier will each do one of the two qualifying sessions.
Looking forward to the GT Open weekend. This time it will be quite different because it is an endurance race in the GT Open. Instead of being two races, it will be one long race and qualifying will be based on an average of both drivers. This system will be a bit different but I think it will be good for us in terms of preparation for our big Spa 24 next month.
Al-Faisal Al-Zubair
We showed in Portimão that we have a strong partnership with me and Mick Grenier. We also have a strong package with the Mercedes and the Getspeed car. We are looking forward to it and ‘inshallah’ we come up with another win and get good points.
Al-Faisal Al-Zubair
Rivals include Team Motopark, Eastalent Racing’s Audi, Getspeed colleagues Anthony Bartone and Fabian Schiller, and the Team Oregon Lamborghinis. The GT Open shares the weekend with Euroformula Open, GT Cup Europe and the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine.
Schedule
Free practice one (70 minutes) starts at 11:55 on Friday, May 24, with practice two at 16:10. The two 30-minute qualifying sessions run at 11:05 and 13:40 on Saturday, May 25, and the GT Open 500 takes a rolling start at noon on Sunday, May 26.