The 2026 GT World Challenge Europe series is set to fire up its engines once again, with the second endurance round of the year being held at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. As in the previous round at Paul Ricard, Alex Fontana will be joined by Bashar Mardini and Patrick Kolb in the Lionspeed GP team’s #89 Porsche 911 GT3 R, competing in the Bronze Cup category.
The Monza round offers the crew an opportunity for redemption after they were forced to retire just metres from the start on French soil due to a collision that caused irreparable damage to the car. Fontana knows the Brianza circuit well thanks to his numerous previous appearances in the GT World Challenge and in single-seaters. The Lugano-born driver secured third place in 2021 with the Huracán GT3 in the Silver category, whilst in Formula 3 he was victorious in 2011.
The Monza weekend will see the three-hour race take place on Sunday afternoon, although proceedings will get underway with the Bronze tests on Thursday 28 May at 15:45. The following day, official practice will take place at 4.50 pm. The main action will begin on Saturday 30 May with two free practice sessions scheduled for 9.00 am and 2.25 pm. The cars will then take to the track for qualifying at 9.50 am on the Sunday, with the green flag for the race is scheduled for 3.30 pm.
Alex Fontana
“I’m really pleased to be back in Italy once again at such a prestigious circuit as Monza, which for us from Switzerland’s Canton Ticino is something of a home-from-home given its proximity. It also allows lots of friends, sponsors and supporters to come and see us at the circuit. We’ll be looking to bounce back from an unlucky first round at Paul Ricard and will give it our all in this three-hour race.”