The Maserati MC20 supercar will be transformed for the SRO’s Fanatec GT2 European Series Championship
Maserati is preparing the MC20 for customer GT racing, with an overhauled version of the supercar – seen in a pair of rendered images – taking on the SRO’s Fanatec GT2 European Series Championship from 2023. It’ll compete against cars from Audi, Brabham, KTM, Lamborghini and Porsche.
The basic genetic makeup of the MC20 will remain, including its carbon fibre monocoque, double-wishbone suspension set-up and ‘Nettuno’ twin-turbo V6. However, instead of driving the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and an (optional) electronically-controlled differential as it does in the road car, the racing version’s V6 will instead adopt a six-speed sequential transmission, racing clutch and a mechanical LSD.
The MC20’s 20-inch wheels will be replaced with more motorsport-friendly centre-locking 18-inch items wrapped in slick tyres. Underneath these, Maserati is set to fit a new braking setup with new brake-cooling measures.
We’re yet to see inside the cabin, but Maserati has detailed the spec, which includes an FIA-homologated roll cage, an adjustable pedal box, a six-point harness, a carbon fibre steering wheel, controls for the adjustable ABS and traction control systems, and a data-logging set-up. Options include a rear-view camera and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
Although GT2 cars focus less on aerodynamics than GT3 machines to make the cars more approachable for amateur drivers, the competition MC20 still gets a sizeable adjustable rear wing and a large diffuser adorning its largely new bodywork.
Speaking about the inbound MC20 racer, Maserati CEO Davide Grasso said: “We are driven by our passion, both on the road and on the track. We have a long history of world excellence in motorsport and we are extremely proud to race with the extraordinary MC20.
“Racing has always been Maserati’s natural habitat and now, both in the Fanatec GT2 European Series Championship and in the Formula E Championship, this brand is making a new start from its roots to build the future.”
The MC20’s spiritual predecessor – the Ferrari Enzo-derived MC12 GT1 – competed from 2004 to 2010, chalking up nearly 100 wins in that time. Following that car, Maserati produced competition versions of its front-engined GranTurismo for both its Trofeo single-make series and to GT4 specifications.
Keyword: Maserati MC20 GT2 racing car confirmed for 2023