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Reigning champion Ben looked to be on for a strong result to sign off the season, before a technical issue brought an early end to the challenge.
With a newly updated four-round calendar, racing is set to commence at Zandvoort in the Netherlands in June, before the first of two races in Italy sees the Sprint Cup visit Misano in July, the Hungaroring in Hungary in September and then back to Italy for the season finale in Imola at the end of October.
Ben returns to a full calendar of GT3 racing for the first time since 2018 when he raced with the previous generation McLaren, the 650S GT3, at a number of endurance events including the Total 24 Hours of Spa and the Suzuka 10hr. This year will see the 23-year old Brit add to his GT3 racing experience as he lines up on the grid of the Sprint Cup, debuting the McLaren 720S GT3 in the series.
Commenting on the news, Ben explained: “I am really excited to be joining 2 Seas Motorsport and to be racing alongside Isa for the season. The GT World Challenge Europe grid is one of the most competitive and demanding on the calendar, and this is a great stage to showcase the team and the 720S GT3 against the world’s best. The car has proven itself at each level of competition so far, and the Sprint Cup will be another new challenge which the team is more than up for.
Ben joins the newly-formed 2 Seas Motorsport team for the 2020 season as part of bold plans which will see the British-Bahrani team campaign a two-car entry in both the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup powered by AWS and the Intelligent Money British GT Championship. Ben’s teammate Al-Khalifa will take on both championships in the latest GT3 model from McLaren which Ben has been key to the development of over the past two seasons in his role as Factory Driver with the brand.
“I have known and worked with Isa in karting for many years. I was at his very first test in the UK at Whilton Mill in 2012 and we have remained close ever since. Having this great friendship makes the opportunity to race with Isa even more special and I’d like to thank him, Nick [Cristofaro] and the rest of the team for the opportunity in the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup.
Ahead of a new season there is always a lot to prepare, especially with a new car and with a new team, but we are using this time to ensure we have everything ready. Testing has progressed well, and I am confident that we will be in a good position when the season gets underway.”
The news follows an impressive start to the 2020 season for Ben, who took 2nd place at the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour in the McLaren GT3 machine.
Aside from GT3 competition, Ben also ended the Asian Le Mans Series with back-to-back victories on the way to finishing P2 in the LMP2 championship standings.
The opening round of the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup powered by AWS is scheduled for Zandvoort in the Netherlands over the weekend 26-28 June.