Rinaldi Racing traveled to Barcelona for the final round of the Blancpain Sprint Series and thus also the finale to the Blancpain GT Series.

Three Ferraris were in the luggage. Steve Parrow and Christian Hook started in the black Ferrari 458 in the AM class with the starting number 66. In the ProAm class, Alexander Mattschull and Christopher Brück shared the steering wheel work on the green Ferrari 458 #458. Rinat Salikhov and Norbert Siedler also started in the ProAm class on the green Ferrari 488 #333.

Saturday was a long day for the team. There were three practice sessions right up until midday. All drivers were able to improve steadily and the team was able to work on the set-up for the qualifying in the afternoon. Unfortunately, the qualifying went below expectations. The #66 achieved a second place in the AM class for the qualifying race on Sunday morning. For the #458, it was enough for fifth place in the ProAm class. Even though the #333 starts the race in second place in the ProAm class, they had hoped for a better overall result. Compared to the other cars, all Ferraris in the starting field generally did not run well; which was also confirmed in the races.

Rinaldi Racing started the qualifying race early on Sunday morning. Norbert Siedler got off to a perfect start and immediately took the lead in the ProAm class. With lap times that also matched those of the front runners, he managed to move up to 14th place overall. After a quick pit stop, Rinat Salikhov took over the green Ferrari. Until the last lap, he had a fight with his rival in the class and unfortunately had to draw the short straw. In the end, he finished second in the ProAm class. The race went more positively for the number 458. Chris Brück took over the start and was able to fight his way up to third place by the time of the pit stop. After the pit stop and the obligatory driver change, Alexander Mattschull was able to drive the Ferrari 458 home in third place. Christian Hook took over the start of the #66 and initially stayed out of the fights in front of him. This allowed him to make up a few places. After the driver change to Steve Parrow, he was able to bring home second place in the AM class with consistent lap times.

Just a few hours later, the main race started on the Circuit de Catalunya. Rinat Salikhov on the Ferrari 488 was able to maintain his second place at the start and now tried to work his way to the front. After a very good pit stop, it was time for Norbert Siedler to take to the track. With ever-faster lap times, he was able to take the lead in the ProAm class and also bring it to the finish. Alexander Mattschull took over the start in the green Ferrari #458. As fourth in the ProAm class, he handed over the Ferrari 458 to Chris Brück. Despite stable lap times and good duels, it was only enough for both of them to finish fourth in the ProAm class. Right at the start Steve Parrow was able to take first place in the AM classification. With good lap times, he created a lead over his pursuer. Shortly before the pit stop, however, he was spun by a competitor. He lost first place in the process. Although Christian Hook still tried to come close with good times, in the end, it was enough for the black Ferrari for second place in the AM classification.

In the end, Rinaldi Racing can be pleased with the following positions in the Blancpain GT Series final classification:

Blancpain GT Series AM classification 2nd place.

Blancpain GT Series ProAm classification 3rd place

Blancpain Endurance Series AM classification 3rd place

Blancpain Sprint Series AM classification 2nd place

Blancpain Sprint Series ProAm classification 3rd place

Blancpain Endurance Series AM driver 3rd place Pierre Ehret

Blancpain Sprint Series AM drivers 3rd place Steve Parrow and Chris Hook

“It was a mixed weekend for us,” summed up Team Principal Rinaldi Racing. “Rinat and Norbert did a good job, but we are still struggling with qualifying. The fact that we finished 22nd overall as the fastest Ferrari is already frustrating for Ferrari. For next year we just need to test more to try and get better results. The potential is there. I am also impressed with the other driver duo. Alexander Mattschull is doing a very good job. For Chris Brück it was his first time in a Ferrari and he was rewarded with a trophy. I also see a lot of potential in our two pirates on the black Black Pearl Ferrari. Over the whole season, they have learned a lot about the car and have improved more and more. Many thanks to my team, who did a great job this weekend, even though it was more stressful than usual. The guys have also improved more and more throughout the season. At the end of the Blancpain GT Series, I would like to thank our partners and sponsors again; especially Ehret Family Winery and KS-Tools. To all the fans, thank you for the great support. It’s great to see that we can inspire fans from all over the world. Also many thanks to SRO who organize the Blancpain GT Series. They put on a great series and we hope to be part of it again next year.”