The final round in the 2015 Trofeo World Series at Abu Dhabi will bring season six in Maserati’s single-make series to a close. This, however, will not be the end of Maserati’s sporting activities: the GranTurismo MCs will be back on track in 2016. Next season they will be run by private teams and will compete in international GT4 series.
Over 20 cars in 10 different teams have already confirmed that they will appear. They have taken delivery of the cars and made the tweaks necessary to bring them into line with the new category’s regulations.
The return to the GT cadet category comes after a debut in the 2009 European GT4 championship. It is also the result of the positive feedback from the ‘test races’, in 2015, at Road America, Laguna Seca and Misano. Next season, Maserati will be battling on two fronts: in the US Pirelli World Challenge and in European GT4 championships.
The modifications needed for GT4 homologation mainly concern the engine and aerodynamics. The car’s overall technical make-up will be unchanged: the 4700cc engine, electro-actuated transmission with paddle-shift commands and a kerb weight of 1410 kg will stay. The fitting of an air scoop will reduce the car’s power output to 430 bhp from its current 488 bhp while a newly-designed rear spoiler and modified diffuser will bring the car’s performance into line with that of the other GT4 cars.
The GranTurismo MCs final set up will be established during the official pre-championship BoP tests where the GT4 SRO homologation standards will be completed.
Maserati will be on hand to provide technical support and replacement parts for the teams that take part in the main series, putting into use all the experience and know-how built up over six years in the Maserati Trofeo.
Maserati will be tracking the performance of the teams competing in the USA and in Europe. There will be a special award for the best Maserati driver and team; this will be announced just before the start of the 2016 season.
