The GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup will kick off the 2025 season next weekend with a high-calibre field of 59 GT3 cars. Rutronik Racing will compete in the world's largest GT series with two Porsche 911 GT3 R. The season opener will take place at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France.

The SRO racing series already held the official test days on the former GP circuit near Marseille about a month ago. In March, the participants had to contend with changeable weather conditions and heavy rain showers at times. Rutronik Racing was able to collect a lot of data there and left the test satisfied. The team, managed by former racing driver Klaus Graf, completed further tests on other tracks throughout Europe.

The tyres used in the high-calibre GT racing series are new this year. The new Pirelli P Zero DHG is being used for the first time. Compared to its predecessor, the new standard tyre offers a wider operating range and a faster warm-up phase. In addition, the slick offers greater consistency of vehicle balance over long distances. A special feature is the natural rubber components, which is why the tyre is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

This year, the six-hour GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup race returns to Le Castellet and kicks off the season for the first time. The race starts at 6:00 pm on Saturday and doesn't end until midnight. The transition into darkness and the fireworks display at the halfway point of the race will create a special atmosphere. The race is also an important preparation for the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, the world's biggest GT3 race and the season highlight of the championship.

Rutronik Racing's Pro car will be driven by the official Porsche drivers Sven Müller, Patric Niederhauser and Alessio Picariello on the technically demanding circuit. The three drivers are hoping to be in with a shout of the title this year. Antares Au, who won the GT class title in the Asian Le Mans Series in February, will be competing in the Bronze Cup in the team's Porsche together with Loek Hartog and DTM driver Morris Schuring.

The race weekend begins on Friday with two extensive test sessions. As the bronze ranked driver, Antares Au also has an additional hour to familiarise himself with the track in the Var region. The first serious action comes on Saturday at 11:50 am with qualifying, followed by the start of the six-hour race at 6:00 pm. SRO will broadcast qualifying and the race in the official livestream, which is available in German and English, among other languages.

Klaus Graf, Team Principal Rutronik Racing: ‘We are travelling to the first GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup race of the year with great anticipation. Le Castellet is a 6-hour race again this year, but we have not had one of these as the season opener before. So, the aim is to get through a longer distance without making any mistakes and to quickly get used to the difficult conditions in the dark. With 59 cars, the field is even stronger than last year and the classes are very well represented. We are very happy with the test results and are looking forward to the weekend with confidence.’

Patric Niederhauser, driver Porsche 911 GT3 R #96: ‘The time has finally come and the first race of the season is just around the corner. We have had an intensive and promising preparation phase. The atmosphere in the team is great, everyone is 100% motivated, we are finally ready to go!’

Morris Schuring, driver Porsche 911 GT3 R #97: ‘I'm really looking forward to the weekend and the first race with Rutronik Racing! Last year I was still racing against them, but now we're competing together. I think we had a good test programme during the winter, where we were able to experiment a lot with the car. The team has made great strides since last year, and the cooperation between the Pro and Bronze Cup cars is also very positive. Antares, Loek and I get along very well, but the atmosphere in the whole team is fantastic too. The 6-hour race is important because you can score a lot of important points there, but we are very well prepared.’