PAUL RICARD, FRANCE – Great Britain’s Ben Tuck is back in the car alongside Oman’s Al-Faisal Al-Zubair in the Al-Manar by Dragon Racing Ferrari for this weekend’s International GT Open round in southern France.
The 29-year-old replaces Italy’s David Fuminelli in the Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO run by Dubai-based Dragon Racing. Tuck and Al-Zubair will hope to fight for the podium in what should be two fiercely contested races at the famous Paul Ricard circuit near Le Castellet, in the Var department.
Al-Zubair only recently returned to top-level professional racing after a short spell on the sidelines, finishing sixth and seventh with Fuminelli at last month’s GT Open round at Misano.
A proven partnership
Al-Zubair and Tuck have shared plenty of success, most notably in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with Team WRT, and with second overall, despite late brake problems, at the 2025 Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi alongside Chris Froggatt in the Al-Manar by Dragon Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO.
Great to be back at Paul Ricard. This a very challenging circuit and it’s known for its history. I am looking forward to the weekend immensely. I’m eager to get back in the 296 GT3 Evo with my team-mate this weekend, Ben Tuck, and to be back behind the wheel.
Al-Faisal Al-Zubair
Ben and I have enjoyed a lot of success together, from Dubai 24 last year, to GT World Challenge, finishing second in the Endurance Cup, and then finishing second together on our first run in the Ferrari at the Gulf 12.
Al-Faisal Al-Zubair
Ben and I get on extremely well. He has proved himself to be a top contender and a top driver. With the package we are going to have, it’s going to be very strong for us to hopefully compete for top honours. The goal is definitely to be on the podium and to push for a race win.
Al-Faisal Al-Zubair
The opposition
Thirty teams are entered in the GT3 category across the Pro, ProAm and Amateur classes. In Pro, Al-Manar by Dragon Racing faces Rinaldi Racing and the class-leading Elite Motorsport Ferrari, two Team Motopark Mercedes, the Greystone GT McLaren, two AF Corse Ferraris, the Scuderia Villorba Corse Lamborghini and the ZRS Motorsport Porsche.
GT Open competitors share the iconic 5.842km circuit with GT Cup Europe, the E4 Championship, FIA Formula Regional and Euroformula Open.
Weekend schedule
- Friday, July 17th: Free practice 1 from 10.31hrs, free practice 2 at 15.39hrs (one hour each)
- Saturday: Driver one qualifying (25 minutes) from 11.35hrs; Race 1 (70 minutes, rolling start) at 17.40hrs
- Sunday: Second qualifying session (25 minutes) at 08.30hrs in cooler track temperatures; Race 2 (one hour) at 13.45hrs