Back to the action with Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn AMR as we build up to a very busy June, and it was back to the Temple of Speed in Monza. Always a special place to race, and looking to sign off the month on a high. It is always an action-packed event, but this weekend proved to be one of the most intense and eventful of my career to-date.

After a top-10 finish at the GT World Challenge Europe season opener, we were looking to build momentum and push for higher up the order. Against a truly world-class field, in every class, and with more than 50-plus cars on the overall grid, it was always going to be a challenge. Monza always has a habit of delivering a few surprises as well…

Qualifying didn’t go entirely to plan, and Lorcan’s run was compromised early on due to a technical issue, and that had a knock-on into my run. Despite the setback, we knew we had three hours and a strong race car in the #56 Vantage, so it almost took the pressure off knowing we would have the chance to make some ground up as we were starting out of position.

The run into turn 1 is always a pinch point, but the chaos that unravelled on lap 1 was pretty severe. Multiple cars involved, and a real shake-up to the order, as well as a prolonged caution period. The incident moved Giacomo up the order from the off, and then strategy was always going to play a part. With the extra mandated pitstop, it gave us a chance to roll the dice, working with the cautions and adapting to the everchanging landscape as the laps played out.

Between the various incidents and caution periods, pace was strong and we were involved in battles ahead and behind. We were firmly inside the top-10 and looking at a strong result by mid-distance, and pitstop strategy put us on the front foot heading into the closing stages. The racing itself was great, and my stint was completed with positions gained and handing over to Lorcan looking at a solid finish on the cards.

Strategies then started to unfold, as leading cars were forced to make a final stop, which we had already taken during my stint. This early pain, running further down the order, gave us a chance to then steadily recover and climb up the order as the laps ticked down. This strategy call, and strong pace moved us up to the final podium spot with 30 minutes to go, and a final extended caution brought the field back together for – what we thought would be – a final sprint to the line with 20 mins to go.

Monza being Monza had one final twist in the tale, and another heavy incident in the closing minutes would bring out a final Safety Car, and reshuffle the order one final time. Managing to avoid any contact, and continuing to run our own race, Lorcan navigated a safe path through and gained one final position to complete a fantastic final result. P2 in class, P9 overall – climbing 46 positions across the three hours.

Next up, Spa. That will certainly have more to throw at us!

GT World Challenge Europe Bronze Cup

Team: Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn AMR

Car number: #56

Circuit: Autodromo di Monza, Italy

Race: P2 Bronze, P9 overall

Drivers’ championship: P6

Teams’ championship: P6