Arjun Maini made a strong start to this year’s Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe. Driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for Haupt Racing Team, the Indian driver – along with teammates Hubert Haupt and Sebastien Baud – finished third in the Bronze Cup class at Monza.

• Maini, Haupt and Baud P3 in Bronze Cup class
• Eng, Wittmann, Yelloly take overall victory
• Maini to also compete in DTM this year

Monza podium finish for Maini

The 2023 season of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe series kicked off with a three-hour race at Monza. The No. 79 Haupt Racing car started the race from fifth on the grid, with Hubert Haupt behind the wheel for the first stint. He survived multiple safety cars and yellow flags and even gained a few places before handing the car over to Sebastien Baud.

Maini took over for the final hour and had to navigate a competitive field; at one point, just five seconds covered those running from P2 to P6. He held position and crossed the line 18th overall, and third in the Bronze Cup class.

“It felt really good to be standing on the podium with my teammates at Monza in the opening round of the championship,” Maini said. “This is also the first race of the championship and to get a podium means a lot to me. We had to really fight throughout the three-hour race, which was never going to be easy. We lacked a bit of pace and had to make up for it by driving hard and defending well. It was a really difficult one and I’m so happy that we pulled it off.”

This is Maini’s second year racing in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe series, which also includes the 24 Hours of Spa endurance race. Alongside this, he’ll also continue racing in DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) for Haupt Racing.

BMW, Rowe Racing take 1-2

Rowe Racing, fielding a pair of BMW M4 GT3 cars, locked out the top two spots in the headlining Pro Cup class. The No. 98 crew of Phillip Eng, Marco Wittmann and Nick Yelloly converted their pole position to victory. They were followed by the No. 998 crew of Daniel Harper, Neil Verhagen and Max Hesse.

Iron Lynx – fielding a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO 2 – rounded out the podium, with Mirko Bortolotti, Andrea Caldarelli and Jordan Pepper securing third place.