The 2026 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup season took Rinaldi Racing to some of Europe’s most renowned race circuits. Competing in the Silver Cup class with the #45 Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO, the team achieved its standout result at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, securing victory in the Silver category – the highlight of an eventful season.
Season Opener at Le Castellet
At the six-hour season opener at Circuit Paul Ricard, Rafael Duran, Dylan Medler and David Perel shared the driving duties in the #45 Ferrari. After 172 laps, the team crossed the finish line in 12th position in the Silver Cup class.
Seventh Place in the Silver Cup at Monza
At the three-hour race at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Rafael Duran, Dylan Medler and David Perel were once again behind the wheel. The #45 Ferrari completed 79 laps and finished 19th overall, taking seventh place in the Silver Cup standings.
The Major Achievement: Silver Cup Victory at the 24 Hours of Spa
The season highlight came at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Alessandro Balzan joined Rafael Duran, Dylan Medler and David Perel to strengthen the driver line-up for the prestigious 24-hour race.
Rinaldi Racing had already demonstrated its potential during qualifying. The #45 Ferrari initially secured a place in the Top 30, earning the team a spot in the next qualifying phase. The team then progressed into Top Qualifying, where it secured 11th place on the starting grid.
The 24-hour race saw an intense battle for victory in the Silver Cup class. During the decisive closing stages, David Perel managed to overtake the Team WRT BMW and reclaim the lead. The four-driver line-up brought the Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO home after 539 laps to win the Silver Cup category. Finishing 14th overall made the achievement even more impressive.
Victory in the class at one of the world’s most prestigious endurance races was a major success for Rinaldi Racing and the most significant result of its entire season.
Premature Retirement at the Nürburgring
At the three-hour race at the Nürburgring, Rafael Duran, Dylan Medler and David Perel represented Rinaldi Racing. However, the race ended in disappointment for the team: the #45 Ferrari was hit by another car and sustained damage so severe that it was unable to continue. Rinaldi Racing was therefore forced to retire from the race.
Challenging Season Finale in Portimão
For the season finale at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Dylan Medler, David Perel and Axcil Jefferies took turns at the wheel for Rinaldi Racing. The three-hour race got off to a difficult start for the team when, during the early stages, Dylan Medler was forced off track by a rival and sent into the gravel. The incident cost the #45 Ferrari almost two laps.
Despite the team’s subsequent efforts, the deficit proved impossible to recover over the remainder of the race.
