What Is 2022 GT World Challenge Europe

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2022 GT World Challenge Europe was a premier sports car racing series organized by SRO Motorsports Group, featuring GT3-spec cars across three main events: Endurance Cup, Sprint Cup, and Esports Cup. The season began on April 10 in Imola and concluded on October 30 at Barcelona, with 37 teams and 10 manufacturers competing.

Key Facts

The 2022 GT World Challenge Europe featured three main series: Endurance, Sprint, and Esports Cups
The season started on April 10, 2022, at Imola and ended on October 30 in Barcelona
37 teams and 10 car manufacturers, including Ferrari, Porsche, and Mercedes-AMG, participated
The Endurance Cup included the 24 Hours of Spa, held July 28–31 in Belgium
SRO Motorsports Group organized the championship, using FIA GT3 regulations

Overview

The 2022 GT World Challenge Europe was a top-tier motorsport championship for GT3-class vehicles, sanctioned by the SRO Motorsports Group. It represented the eighth season of the rebranded series, formerly known as the Blancpain GT Series, and continued to showcase elite-level endurance and sprint racing across Europe.

This championship featured three distinct competition formats: the Endurance Cup, the Sprint Cup, and the Esports Cup. Each series attracted factory-backed teams and professional drivers, with major manufacturers like Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Mercedes-AMG fielding entries to compete for titles and global recognition.

Imola hosted the season opener on April 10, setting the stage for a nine-month-long campaign across six countries and nine circuits.
The 24 Hours of Spa, held July 28–31, was the marquee event, drawing over 60 cars and 180 drivers from 20+ nations.
Each race strictly adhered to FIA GT3 regulations, ensuring parity among manufacturers and close on-track competition.
The Sprint Cup consisted of two 60-minute races per weekend, emphasizing driver skill and team strategy under tight time constraints.
Teams earned points toward both driver and team championships, with 37 teams registered across the two main categories.

How It Works

The GT World Challenge Europe operates under a complex but standardized format, blending manufacturer involvement, driver classifications, and technical regulations to maintain fairness and excitement across events.

GT3 Regulations: All cars must comply with FIA GT3 standards, limiting power-to-weight ratios and mandating homologated components. These rules ensure competitive balance between brands like Aston Martin and Lamborghini.
Driver Categories: Drivers are classified as Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze based on experience and achievements. This system promotes balanced team lineups and enhances rookie development.
Endurance Cup: Features longer races, including 3-hour and 24-hour formats. The Spa 24 Hours is the crown jewel, requiring multiple drivers and pit strategies over 24 grueling hours.
Sprint Cup: Includes two 60-minute races per event weekend, with mandatory pit stops and driver changes. These races prioritize speed and precision over endurance.
Pro-Am & Silver Cups: Sub-championships within the series reward non-professional drivers, increasing accessibility and competition depth across skill levels.
Balance of Performance (BoP): The SRO adjusts weight, power, and aerodynamics to equalize performance between different car models, ensuring close racing regardless of manufacturer.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2022 GT World Challenge Europe’s three main series:

Series	Race Format	Key Event	Duration	Teams
Endurance Cup	3-hour and 24-hour races	24 Hours of Spa	April–October	22
Sprint Cup	Two 60-minute races per weekend	Brands Hatch	May–September	15
Esports Cup	Online virtual races	Virtual Spa	June–November	10
Manufacturers	FIA GT3-compliant cars	N/A	Full season	10 brands
Driver Entries	2–3 drivers per car (Endurance)	N/A	All season	Over 180 drivers

The table highlights the structural diversity of the 2022 season. While the Endurance and Sprint Cups featured real-world racing, the Esports Cup expanded the series’ reach into digital motorsport, reflecting growing interest in virtual competition. All three series contributed to the championship’s global appeal and technological innovation.

Why It Matters

The 2022 GT World Challenge Europe played a pivotal role in shaping modern GT racing, influencing car development, driver careers, and fan engagement across continents. Its format set the benchmark for other regional GT series worldwide.

Manufacturer Development: Brands like Porsche used race data to refine GT3 road car performance and reliability for consumer markets.
Driver Pathway: The series served as a proving ground for future WEC and Formula 1 reserve drivers, including Charles Weerts and Raffaele Marciello.
Global Broadcasting: Races were streamed in over 150 countries, reaching an estimated 5 million viewers per major event.
Esports Integration: The virtual cup bridged real and digital racing, attracting new sponsors and younger audiences.
Sustainability Initiatives: SRO introduced hybrid fuel trials at selected events, aligning with motorsport’s shift toward eco-conscious practices.
Economic Impact: Each race weekend generated over €2 million in local revenue, boosting tourism and regional economies.

By combining high-level competition with accessibility and innovation, the 2022 GT World Challenge Europe solidified its status as a cornerstone of international motorsport, influencing both track and technology for years to come.