The 2026 GT2 European Series delivered another action-packed weekend at Misano World Circuit, where KTM and Ginetta emerged with outright victories, while Maserati endured a rollercoaster home event that nonetheless yielded valuable silverware in the Masters and Pro/Am categories.
Although the Trident marque was denied an overall triumph after a post-race disqualification and suffered further misfortune with mechanical failures and incidents, the weekend demonstrated that the Maserati GT2 remains a genuine contender across multiple classes. Strong performances from LP Racing, Dinamic Motorsport and i4Race ensured the Italian manufacturer remained firmly in championship contention as the season reached its halfway stage.
Race 1: Triumph Turned to Heartbreak
Saturday’s opening contest was filled with drama from the outset.
Antoine Potty started from pole position in the #6 i4Race Maserati GT2 and initially controlled proceedings despite briefly losing the lead to Mikkel Njor’s #3 CMR Ginetta. Potty quickly reclaimed first place and began building a healthy advantage over the field.
Behind him, debutant Celia Martin produced an outstanding opening stint in the #18 LP Racing Maserati, climbing into second place and keeping pressure on the leader while several fierce midfield battles unfolded.
However, the complexion of the race changed dramatically on lap seven when Potty suffered a brake failure approaching the high-speed Tramonto corner. Unable to stop the car, he crashed heavily into the barriers, destroying the Maserati but thankfully escaping injury.
The accident prompted a lengthy red-flag stoppage of nearly 45 minutes while barrier repairs were completed.
When racing resumed, Martin continued to lead before handing over to Luca Pirri during the mandatory pit stop sequence. Pirri maintained control despite relentless pressure from Lorenzo Marcucci’s Audi, while penalties for restart infringements and repeated track-limit violations reshuffled the order behind.
Marcucci briefly snatched the lead on the penultimate lap but spun moments later, allowing Pirri and Martin to cross the finish line first.
Celebrations proved short-lived.
Post-race scrutineering found the #18 Maserati to be 13 kilograms below the minimum permitted weight, resulting in disqualification.
That decision elevated the #119 KTM of Marius Aigner and Gerald Kofler to overall victory and Pro/Am honours.
LP Racing still salvaged significant championship points through Philippe Prette, who inherited victory in the Masters class, while Thomas Yu Lee and Niccolò Pirri completed the Pro/Am podium.
Race 1 Results
| Position | Driver(s) | Car | Class Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aigner / Kofler | KTM X-Bow GT2 | Overall & Pro/Am Winner |
| 2 | Rosina / Marcucci | Audi R8 LMS GT2 | Silver Winner |
| 3 | Kühnel / Wiskirchen | Mercedes-AMG GT2 | Pro/Am Runner-up |
| Masters Winner | Philippe Prette | Maserati GT2 | Masters Victory |
| Pro/Am Third | Yu Lee / Niccolò Pirri | Maserati GT2 | Third |
Race 2: Ginetta Takes Centre Stage
Sunday’s second race began without Potty, whose damaged Maserati could not be repaired overnight.
Mercedes initially appeared destined for victory as Wiskirchen and Hartling controlled the early stages. However, a technical issue halted their momentum and opened the door for the charging CMR Ginetta.
After the driver changes, Mikkel Njor produced one of the standout performances of the weekend. The Danish driver steadily erased the deficit to the leading Mercedes before completing a decisive overtake and pulling clear to secure a commanding overall victory.
Rosina and Marcucci recovered strongly to finish second overall for Audi, while the Mercedes pairing completed the podium despite losing the lead.
Further back, another dramatic incident involved Thomas Yu Lee’s Maserati and the #115 Mercedes of Montserrat and De Martin, with contact sending the Mercedes heavily into the barriers and ending both crews’ hopes of a strong finish.
In the Masters category, Philippe Prette looked on course for another class victory before contact with Marius Aigner’s KTM damaged the rear of his Maserati late in the race, allowing the #89 KTM of Mraz and Kajaia to seize the class honours.
Maserati still collected encouraging results. Luca Pirri and Celia Martin recovered to finish sixth overall and second in Masters, while Roberto Pampanini and Mauro Calamia secured second place in Pro/Am after a measured and consistent drive.
Race 2 Results
| Position | Driver(s) | Car | Class Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gialdini / Mikkel Njor | Ginetta G56 GT2 | Overall & Silver Winner |
| 2 | Rosina / Marcucci | Audi R8 LMS GT2 | Overall Runner-up |
| 3 | Thilenius / Hartling | Mercedes-AMG GT2 | Pro/Am Winner |
| Masters Winner | Mraz / Kajaia | KTM X-Bow GT2 | Masters Victory |
| Masters Runner-up | Luca Pirri / Celia Martin | Maserati GT2 | Second |
| Pro/Am Runner-up | Calamia / Pampanini | Maserati GT2 | Second |
Valuable Points Despite Frustration
Although Maserati narrowly missed converting pace into outright victories, the Misano weekend reinforced the competitiveness of the GT2 platform.
Potty’s pace before his accident confirmed the i4Race Maserati had the speed to challenge for overall honours, while LP Racing consistently fought near the front throughout both races. Prette strengthened his Masters championship challenge, and the Pro/Am crews also collected valuable points despite several setbacks.
For KTM, the weekend represented an excellent return, with victories in both races across different classes demonstrating the X-Bow GT2’s versatility. Ginetta likewise left Misano with renewed confidence after an impressive overall victory on Sunday.
With rounds at Zandvoort and Portimão still to come, every championship remains finely balanced. Maserati will undoubtedly leave its home event disappointed not to have converted outright speed into overall victories, but its combination of podium finishes, class successes and championship points ensures it remains firmly in contention as the GT2 European Series enters the decisive second half of the campaign.
