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Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium: Omani driver Al Faisal al Zubair and Canadian teammate Mikael Grenier will resume their part-time plans for the 2024 International GT Open by competing in the third round of the series at Belgium’s demanding Spa-Francorchamps this weekend.
The Al Manar Racing by Getspeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 team finished first and fourth in the two races at the opening event at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao in April, but they did not compete in the second round in Germany last month.
But the race at Spa offers a whole new challenge for the competitors, and the format is different to the other rounds of the championship. Dubbed the GT Open 500, this weekend’s race will feature one long race on the 7,004-kilometre circuit, rather than two shorter races. The teams will once again be divided into Pro, Pro-Am and Amateur categories.
The “GT Open 500” will last 2 hours and 40 minutes, with one extra lap. There will be two regular qualifying sessions, one for Al Zubair and one for Grenier. There will be three mandatory pit stops during the race, and each driver will need to make two races, but the rules do not allow for two pit stops. Double points will be awarded at the end of the race.
Al Zubair said: “Looking forward to the GT Open weekend. It will be very different this time as it is the endurance version of the GT Open. Instead of two races, it will be one long race and qualifying will be based on the average of the two drivers’ times. The system will be a little different but I think it will be good for us in preparation for the Spa 24 next month.
“We showed in Portimao what a strong partnership we have between Mick Grenier and I. We also have a strong team with Mercedes and Getspeed Racing. We are looking forward to it and, God willing, we will win again and get some good points.”
Faisal Zubair
Getspeed’s Al Manar Racing rivals include Team Motopark, the Audi of Eastalent Racing, Getspeed colleagues Anthony Bartone and Fabian Schiller and Team Oregon Lamborghini.
This weekend, the International GT Open will be held on the same track as the Euroformula Open, GT Eurocup and European Alpine Formula Championship.
The GT Open will begin at 11:55 on Friday (May 24) with the first 70-minute free practice session. The second free practice session will begin at 16:10.
The first 30-minute qualifying session will start at 11:05am on Saturday (May 25), with the second qualifying session starting at 13:40pm.
The International GT Open 500 will start on a rolling basis at noon on Sunday (May 26).
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