Round 7 of the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS brought the Sprint Cup to Magny-Cours, where fans enjoyed two tense night-and-day races. Grasser Racing’s Lamborghini and Garage 59’s McLaren each claimed a victory, setting up a dramatic run-in for the Sprint Cup title.
Kessel and Grasser impress
The weekend began with Dennis Marschall giving Kessel Racing a historic moment in testing, as the German driver topped the sheets in the #74 Ferrari 296 GT3. It was the team’s first-ever session-topping performance in the Sprint Cup, setting the tone for an unpredictable round of the GTWC Europe at Magny-Cours.
In Free Practice, the spotlight shifted to GRT Grasser Racing. Jordan Pepper steered the #63 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 to the fastest time, underlining the squad’s strength on the French circuit. Porsche and Mercedes-AMG remained in close pursuit, but the early signs pointed toward a tight contest across multiple manufacturers.
Tresor Audi leaves it late
Pre-Qualifying produced drama in the final minutes as Dylan Pereira delivered for Tresor Attempto Racing. The Luxembourger snatched the top spot in the #66 Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II, outpacing rivals in the closing laps.
The result underlined just how competitive the field was at Magny-Cours for Round 7 of the GTWC Europe. Grasser’s Lamborghini, WRT’s BMWs, and Rutronik’s Porsche all looked sharp, while Ferrari’s AF Corse machines maintained solid form ahead of the decisive qualifying runs.
Controversy hands Engstler and Pepper pole at Magny-Cours for the GTWC Europe
Kessel Racing looked set to continue their dream weekend when Dennis Marschall grabbed a sensational pole in Q1, but celebrations were short-lived. A post-session penalty stripped the #74 Ferrari of the achievement, promoting Luca Engstler and the #63 Grasser Lamborghini to the front of the grid.
It was still a landmark moment for Kessel, proving their Bronze Cup entry could challenge the outright pace. Behind Engstler, the front rows were stacked with heavyweights: Rutronik’s #96 Porsche, WRT’s #32 BMW, and Winward Racing’s Mercedes-AMG all securing strong starting positions.
Grasser seizes victory under the lights
When the lights went out on Saturday night, Grasser Racing delivered. Engstler and Pepper controlled the pace in the #63 Lamborghini, fending off Rutronik Racing’s #96 Porsche of Niederhauser and Müller, who pushed hard to finish just over a second behind.
Team WRT’s #32 BMW of Weerts and van der Linde completed the podium after holding off Winward Racing’s #48 Mercedes-AMG shared by Auer and Engel. Boutsen VDS added another top-five finish with Martin and Stolz, ensuring Mercedes-AMG’s presence among the leaders.
The Gold Cup battle went to Garage 59’s #58 McLaren with Louis Prette and Thomas Fleming, while Comtoyou Racing’s Aston Martin of Day and Pauwels topped Silver. Kessel’s pace from earlier in the weekend faded, but they still brought home Bronze Cup points with Marschall and Blattner.
Kirchhöfer returns McLaren to the top
On Sunday morning, Marvin Kirchhöfer struck back for McLaren. The German driver produced a near-perfect lap in the #59 Garage 59 entry to secure pole position, edging out Grasser’s Lamborghini by just over a tenth.
It marked a crucial turnaround for Garage 59 after a challenging Race 1. WRT’s BMWs again lined up close behind, joined by AF Corse’s #51 Ferrari of Rovera and Abril, ensuring that the fight for victory would be decided among five different manufacturers.
Garage 59 triumphs in a thriller
Race 2 of the GTWC Europe at Magny-Cours delivered one of the closest finishes of the Sprint Cup season. Kirchhöfer and Goethe converted their pole into victory, but only just – holding off Engstler and Pepper’s #63 Grasser Lamborghini by a mere 0.156 seconds at the flag.
Behind the top two, Weerts and van der Linde secured another podium for WRT in the #32 BMW, while AF Corse’s #51 Ferrari finished fourth ahead of Rutronik’s #96 Porsche. Boutsen VDS and Winward Racing added depth to the top ten for Mercedes-AMG.
In the classes, Sainteloc Racing struck Gold with Magnus and Evrard, Comtoyou Racing won Silver again with Day and Pauwels, and Winward’s Bronze Cup Mercedes-AMG of Dienst and Salikhov beat Kessel Racing’s Ferrari in another close battle.
A title showdown looms
Magny-Cours delivered everything the Sprint Cup promised: night racing spectacle, wheel-to-wheel battles, and razor-thin margins. Grasser Racing’s victory in Race 1 and Garage 59’s response in Race 2 meant no clear favorite emerged, only intensifying the title fight.
WRT’s consistency kept them firmly in the hunt, while AF Corse and Rutronik maintained pressure from behind. Sainteloc and Comtoyou Racing continued their strong class form, while Kessel’s breakthrough test pace hinted at more surprises to come.
With Valencia next on the Sprint calendar, the Sprint Cup title fight is finely poised. Lamborghini, McLaren, BMW, Ferrari, and Porsche all remain in contention — and Magny-Cours showed that every detail could make the difference in the battles to come during the last leg of the GTWC Europe.
