PREVIEW: 2025 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup - Monza

The Autodromo Nazionale Monza will host the second round of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup from 30 May to 1 June 2025. The Italian circuit, known for its long straights and high speeds, always provides a proper test for both teams and drivers. This year, the focus sharpens on the German manufacturers: Porsche, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-AMG. All bring strength in numbers and quality to a 59-car field that could make this one of the most competitive Monza races in recent memory.

Porsche — New Talent, Renewed Ambition

Porsche enters Monza with several teams in the Pro class, aiming to step up after a mixed 2024 season. The 911 GT3 R (992) remains the weapon of choice for three main Pro entries:

• Schumacher CLRT (#22) pairs youth and experience, with Morris Schuring, Ayhancan Güven, and Larry ten Voorde. Schuring is a newly signed Porsche works driver, while Güven brings DTM pedigree.
• Rutronik Racing (#96) will run Sven Müller, Patric Niederhauser, and Alessio Picariello, a group capable of challenging for the podium.
• A third Pro Porsche is expected from either Pure Rxcing or another customer team, though final confirmation is pending.

Porsche also maintains depth across the field:

• Herberth Motorsport brings two cars in the Bronze Cup (#91 and #93).
• Lionspeed GP (#80) campaigns another Porsche in Bronze.
• Dinamic GT lines up in the Silver Cup.

There have been no recent major technical changes; the focus is on refining aero and braking to meet Monza’s demands. According to early season commentary, Porsche is targeting “stronger results in the Endurance Cup” after few highlights last year.

BMW — Momentum with the M4 GT3 EVO

BMW arrives as the marque on form, especially through Team WRT. After winning both the Sprint Cup at Zandvoort and the Endurance opener at Paul Ricard, WRT looks to carry that pace into Monza.

• WRT’s Pro entry (#32) features Kelvin van der Linde, Charles Weerts, and Ugo De Wilde. Van der Linde and Weerts have gelled quickly and lead the overall GTWC Europe standings.
• Another Pro entry and a Silver Cup BMW are expected from WRT (#30), fielding Etienne Cheli, Gilles Stadsbader, and Gustav Bergström.
• BMW Italia Ceccato Racing (#15) races in Bronze with local stars Federico Malvestiti and Felice Jelmini.
• Century Motorsport (#42) adds further depth in Silver.

The new BMW M4 GT3 EVO has impressed, described as “exceeding expectations” by BMW Motorsport management. There is a genuine sense of optimism about the car’s potential at Monza.

BMW’s talent pool is deep, with several factory drivers in the field. Raffaele Marciello, a recent signing and former F1 test driver, has not been confirmed for Monza with ROWE Racing, but his involvement in the series adds another layer to BMW’s narrative.

Audi: Customer Teams Carry the Flag

Audi’s top-level involvement in GT racing is now entirely through customer teams, as the brand pivots its factory efforts towards its forthcoming Formula 1 project. Still, the Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II remains a strong package for Monza.

• Sainteloc Racing leads Audi’s charge with two entries: the #25 (Bronze) and #26 (Silver), and QMMF by Sainteloc Racing (#27) joins in Bronze.
• Tresor Attempto Racing is on the grid in Bronze (#66) and Gold Cup (#88).

There is no Pro entry from Audi at Monza this year. Still, the marque has a rich history at this circuit, and its customer teams can never be discounted. Names like Gilles Magnus (Sainteloc) and Ricardo Feller (racing a Porsche at Monza, but an Audi regular elsewhere) keep Audi’s presence visible.

Mercedes-AMG: Star-Studded Line-ups and Italian Hope

Mercedes-AMG is the best-represented German manufacturer in quantity and top-class entries.

• GetSpeed brings two cars: #17 in Pro for Luca Stolz, Jules Gounon, and Fabian Schiller, a proven, race-winning crew, and #3 in Silver.
• Boutsen VDS fields #9 in Pro with Maximilian Götz, Mikael Grenier, and Maxime Martin, plus #10 in Silver.
• MANN-FILTER (#48, Pro) fields Lucas Auer, Matteo Cairoli, and Maro Engel. Cairoli is one to watch: he is an Italian star making his Monza debut with Mercedes-AMG after switching from Porsche in the winter.
• Winward Racing (#81) rounds out the group in Bronze.

Team principal quotes highlight Cairoli’s “serious contender” status on home ground, while the overall depth of AMG’s Pro class squads puts the brand in a strong position for the win.

Crossover Stories and Series Notes

Monza’s German contingent brings drivers with DTM, Formula 1, and Formula E backgrounds. BMW and Mercedes-AMG feature several former DTM champions. Porsche’s Ayhancan Güven and Thomas Preining both compete in DTM. The Verstappen.com Aston Martin in the Gold Cup draws attention but sits outside this preview’s focus.

Balance of Performance and the Unknowns

The Balance of Performance (BoP) is always crucial at Monza. While the series has yet to release the BoP specifics for this race, the SRO’s approach to parity keeps results unpredictable. Any last-minute BoP changes could shake up the expected order.

Final Thoughts

A huge field. Strong German line-ups. Multiple factory drivers and a Monza layout that can bite anyone. The 2025 Monza Endurance Cup could hinge on a moment of luck, a clever pit call, or the BoP numbers.

• Will Porsche bounce back with their bolstered works talent?
• Can BMW extend WRT’s early dominance?
• Might a Mercedes-AMG trio edge out their rivals through consistency and experience?
• Could Audi’s customer teams spring a surprise if chaos ensues?

There are plenty of storylines to watch. With Monza’s long history of drama, expect another unpredictable weekend.

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