Micheal Grenier third with Winward Racing at Monza
MIXED CONDITIONS AND A MULTITUDE OF TIRE PUNCTURES MADE THE THREE HOUR RACE SUSPENSEFUL ALL ALONG
Michael Grenier has returned to Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe for the Endurance Cup calendar in the Silver class with Winward Racing this weekend at Monza, Italy.
This morning saw the three drivers each qualify with their best lap. An average is then taking of the three laps to determine the starting grid.
Mikaël qualified in the second wave of the qualifying session and registered the 15th quickest time with a 1:47.691 just occur seven tenth away from the quickest time of the session from Callum Illott who registered a time of 1:46.972.
The average time of 1:47.875 for the #57 Winward Racing Mercedes AMG GT3 of Ward(1:48.697)/Grenier(1:47.691)/Ellis(1:47.237) gave them the 19th place on the grid and sixth fastest in Silver Cup.
There mixed conditions between dry and wet and surprisingly a lot of cars suffering form tire punctures during the second stint that mixed up the order amongst the leaders. Grenier drove the second stint and stayed clear of trouble. Following safety car periods, Grenier was able to gain grounds and dove into the pits in fourth place overall to let Philip Ellis take over for the third and final stint of the race.
More punctures and safety car as well as another quick rain shower during the final stage of the race gave the opportunity for Ellis to bring the #57 Mercedes AMG GT3 to a seventh place overall finish and most importantly a third place finish in the Silver Class.
The race was won by the #54 Dinamic Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R over #88 AKKA ASP Mercedes AMG GT3 in second and #14 Emil Frey Racing Lamborghini GT3 EVO in third.
In the Silver Class, #14 Emil Frey Racing Lamborghini GT3 EVO took the win from the #30 Team WRT Audi R8 GT3 and #57 Winward Racing Mercedes AMG GT3 3.9s behind in in third place.
More to come as we will get Mikaël’s thoughts on his experience and his podium back in GT World Challenge Europe.
Image: Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS
