GT World Challenge Europe - Round 2

Round 2 of the GT World Challenge Europe visits Brands Hatch GP for a Sprint Cup weekend. The event brings together GT3 cars from leading manufacturers to compete on one of Britain's most renowned racing circuits. Brands Hatch GP circuit in West Kingsdown, Kent, provides a demanding test for drivers and teams with its 3.916-kilometer layout featuring elevation changes and technical corners.

The Brands Hatch GP Circuit

Brands Hatch GP uses the full Grand Prix configuration of this historic venue. The circuit extends 2.433 miles and includes nine corners that challenge drivers with varying demands. The layout begins with Paddock Hill Bend, a right-hand corner that drops downhill with an eight percent gradient. This corner serves as one of the primary overtaking opportunities on the circuit.

The track continues to Druids, a hairpin that requires heavy braking after an uphill approach. Graham Hill Bend presents a downhill, off-camber challenge that tests car setup and driver confidence. Hawthorn Bend demands precision at high speed. The natural amphitheater setting of Brands Hatch provides excellent viewing positions for spectators throughout the circuit.

GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup Format

The Sprint Cup format at Brands Hatch GP features two one-hour races. Each race requires a mandatory pit stop with a driver change. This format condenses endurance racing elements into a shorter timeframe. Teams must balance speed with strategy as they manage their pit stop windows and driver stints.

The championship divides competitors into multiple classes: Pro, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. This classification system ensures close competition between drivers of similar experience levels while allowing professionals and amateurs to race together on track.

Participants and GT3 Machinery

The 2025 GT World Challenge Europe season features over 130 GT3 cars from ten manufacturers. Brands Hatch GP will showcase entries from Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche. These manufacturers provide teams with GT3-specification cars derived from production models.

Professional drivers compete alongside talented amateurs throughout the field. The variety of manufacturers and driver combinations creates diverse competition across all classes. Each manufacturer brings specific strengths to different circuit characteristics, making race outcomes difficult to predict.

Technical Regulations and Systems

GT3 regulations govern all cars competing in the GT World Challenge Europe. These rules ensure that production-based grand touring cars can compete fairly against each other. The FIA GT3 technical regulations standardize certain components while allowing manufacturers to develop their cars within defined parameters.

Balance of Performance

Balance of Performance (BoP) systems level the competitive field between different manufacturers. Race officials adjust power outputs, minimum weights, and aerodynamic configurations to ensure that no single manufacturer holds an advantage. These adjustments help create close racing throughout the grid.

Race Requirements

Pirelli supplies tires for all competitors. Teams must adhere to minimum refueling times during pit stops. Official onboard cameras provide television coverage from multiple cars during races. These technical requirements ensure fair competition and enhance the viewing experience.

Circuit Heritage

Brands Hatch began as a grass track for cyclists in 1926. The first event at the venue was a race between cyclists and cross-country runners. The circuit received a tarmac surface in 1950, transforming it into a motor racing venue.

Formula 1 visited Brands Hatch for 12 British Grand Prix races between 1964 and 1986. Nigel Mansell recorded his first Formula 1 victory at this circuit in 1985. The venue has hosted numerous prestigious championships including the British Touring Car Championship and World Superbikes. MotorSport Vision currently owns and operates the facility.

Series Development

GT World Challenge Europe evolved from the Blancpain Endurance Series that launched in 2011. A sprint format series joined the calendar in 2014. The championship adopted its current name in 2019. Amazon Web Services became the official presenter in 2020, bringing the AWS branding to the series title.

The series has consistently focused on GT3 regulations since its inception. This commitment to the GT3 formula has attracted manufacturer support and created a stable platform for teams and drivers to compete.

What Makes This Event Special

Round 2 at Brands Hatch GP combines a challenging circuit with top-level GT3 competition. The elevation changes and technical corners at Brands Hatch test every aspect of car performance. The Sprint Cup format delivers action-packed racing with strategic pit stop windows creating variable race dynamics.

The natural terrain surrounding Brands Hatch creates viewing opportunities that few modern circuits can match. Support events including the Supercar Collective Display and Drivers Union Demo Show add variety to the race weekend. The proximity to London makes Brands Hatch GP accessible for fans throughout southern England.

Ten manufacturers competing with over 130 cars creates a diverse grid. Multiple classes racing simultaneously adds layers of competition as faster Pro class cars navigate through Silver and Bronze class traffic. The one-hour race distance requires teams to execute their strategy without error while drivers push their GT3 cars to the limit.