LP Racing has confirmed a second Audi R8 LMS GT2 entry for the Fanatec GT2 European Series Pro-Am title fight, with Stéphane Ratel set to return to the helm of the #88 car alongside new teammate and reigning Italian GT3 champion, Mattia di Giusto.
SRO Motorsports Group Founder and CEO, Ratel continues with LP Racing for a third term looking to build upon his tally of four second-place Pro-Am finishes, and best season ranking of fourth overall of so far.
Partnering Ratel, di Giusto joins for his first season in the Fanatec GT2 European Series following back-to-back Italian GT4 and GT3 title honours in 2021 and 2022, the latter achieved in the LP Racing Lamborghini.
“I am delighted to join LP Racing for a second year,” says di Giusto. “After the successes we had last year in the Italian championship, I’m ready to join the GT2 European Series and I am super proud to be doing it with Stéphane Ratel as my teammate. It will be a challenge, but I am sure we will have a good year and I’m ready for the first race in Monza in a few weeks.”
Ratel adds: “I am very pleased to continue my partnership with my friend, Luca Pirri’s team this year. I will have a new teammate Mattia di Giusto, Italian GT3 Pro-Am champion with LP racing last year, who is going to race in GT2 for his first full season in the SRO world. We will try our best to get some podiums in the Pro-Am class.”
"I am delighted to have Stéphane race with LP Racing for a third season and hope that he will beat his record of three podiums in 2021 with our fast GT3 Pro-Am champion Mattia di Giusto," said Team Principal Luca Pirri.
Ratel and di Giusto will start their 2023 Fanatec GT2 European Series campaign in Monza, Italy 21-23 April.