Maserati is going to join GT4 class racing this year

The final round of the 2015 Trofeo World Series took place at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit last weekend, bringing the sixth and final season 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 competing in the international GT4 series run by private teams. Over 20 cars across 10 different teams have confirmed their participation and the teams have already taken delivery of their cars and have begun to make the necessary modifications to bring them into line with the new category’s regulations.

The return to the GT4 category comes after a debut season in the 2009 European GT4 championship and as a result of the positive feedback from three ‘test races’ in 2015, at Road America, Laguna Seca and Misano. Next season, Maserati will be battling on two fronts: in the European GT4 Championships and the US Pirelli World Challenge. The modifications required for GT4 homologation concern the engine and aerodynamics. The car’s overall technical make-up will remain 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 Balance of Performance (BoP) tests where the GT4 SRO homologation standards will be completed. Maserati will provide technical support and replacement parts for the private teams competing in the championship, using the experience and knowledge built up over six years in the Maserati Trofeo Championship. Maserati will be tracking the performance of the teams competing in Europe and the USA and will shortly provide details for a special award for the best Maserati driver and team.