The 2025 GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS season kicked off on the Barcelona circuit. Matteo Cairoli, along with Lucas Auer and Maro Engel, finished runner-up in the endurance cup with the #48 MANN-FILTER Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, competing in the PRO category. Thanks to 77 points scored in the first four rounds of the season, the trio now leads the endurance standings.
Matteo Cairoli recorded a time of 1:39.947 during the second qualifying session. The Como native’s performance, combined with that of his teammates, allowed the team to secure sixth place overall. The onus of starting the 3 Hours of Barcelona fell to Maro Engel, who lost a position in the early stages of the race. During the start, the German overtook the car outside the circuit limits, for which he was penalized with an additional 10 seconds to be served at the first pit stop. A safety car deployed after 30 minutes of racing changed the rankings, leaving Matteo Cairoli starting his part of the race in 19th place.
The Como native’s stint was characterized by a continuous battle with the #92 Porsche, championship rivals of the #48 Mercedes-AMG, during which the MANN-FILTER driver struggled with the dirty air from the cars ahead, slowing his comeback. In the second hour of the race, Cairoli climbed to 15th place before handing over to Lucas Auer. The Austrian driver failed in his attempt to finish in the points, finishing the race in 13th place overall.
The #96 Porsche finished seventh, earning the points needed to overtake Cairoli’s team in the Endurance Cup standings. The #48 Mercedes-AMG finished third in the championship with a total of 77 points. Matteo Cairoli finished second in the drivers’ standings with 72 points.
Matteo Cairoli
“It’s really frustrating to lose the championship like this in the final race of the season. Unfortunately, today we found ourselves in the middle of the pack, and making up the lost positions on a track like Barcelona wasn’t easy. We’re still finishing a very positive season, with a win at Monza and a podium at the Nürburgring. I’d like to thank my teammates Lucas and Maro for a wonderful season, and the MANN-FILTER team for their continued support throughout the races, which made me feel like part of the family in my first season with the team.”
