Monza GT Open challenge awaits Al Zubair, Soucek

MONZA, Italy: Al Faisal al Zubair and Andy Soucek head to the legendary Italian circuit of Monza this weekend to continue their challenge for honours in the 2021 International GT Open Championship.

Soucek currently holds second place in the championship standings, 24 points behind the leading duo of Michele Beretta and Frederick Schandorff in their Vincenzo Sospiri Racing Lamborghini.

Belgium’s Baptiste Moulin and Japanese team-mate Yuki Nemoto are third and Al Zubair lies fourth after missing one race in the Lechner Racing Team’s Porsche 911 GT3 R because of illness.

Omani racer Al Zubair said: “I am really looking forward to Monza. It is a track that I love from the past and my days in the Porsche Super Cup. It is a track that I have performed strongly at and I hope to keep the form for this year and my first appearance there in the endurance series.

“The team has been on great form. Obviously we had some bad luck in Austria. But the important thing was that Andy and myself kept up a good pace throughout and the car was running great. If that continues on the same path, and with a bit of luck, hopefully we can get back to the podium with race wins.

“There are two race meetings of this season left for us. It will be difficult because there are four or five Pro car guest entries that will be added this weekend. I am confident in myself and Andy and am looking forward to getting back on track.”

Teams will be permitted up to three free practice sessions on the Italian circuit with the opening 40-minute stint getting underway at 17.10hrs on Thursday (September 23rd) afternoon.

Sessions two and three start at 11.00hrs and 15.10hrs respectively on Friday and the first 30-minute qualifying session fires into life at 10.55hrs on Saturday. This precedes the opening 70-minute race, starting with a rolling start at 16.55hrs.

Second qualifying for GT Open teams takes centre stage from 09.00hrs on Sunday morning and the second onehour race starts at 14.30hrs.