Anticipation is sky-high for the final round of the GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup 2024, set to take place on the iconic street circuit of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which also hosts the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Michele Beretta, alongside his teammates from Team Haupt Racing, Jusuf Owega and Arjun Maini, is gearing up to give it his all in the battle for the Gold Cup title. Behind the wheel of the Mercedes-AMG #77, the crew currently sits in third place in the overall standings, trailing the AlManar Racing by GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG (drivers Al Zubair, Baumann, and Grenier) and the category-leading Audi #25, driven by Magnus, Evrard, and Pla.
Despite a 31-point deficit to the leaders, recent performances from the #77 inspire hope. The team has achieved two podium finishes at Spa and Nürburgring and claimed victory in the last championship round at Monza. The crew aims to end the season on a high note after showing consistent progress throughout the campaign.
However, the challenge will be far from easy: the Jeddah street circuit is highly technical and fast, with tight corners and walls dangerously close to the asphalt, leaving no room for error. These elements add an extra layer of unpredictability for all teams and drivers.
Ahead of the race, Michele Beretta stated: “The fight for the title is extremely tough, and we’re fully aware of the gap separating us from the leaders. That said, we’re not giving up: the six-hour duration of the race and the fact that we’ll be competing on a new track for everyone offer opportunities to aim high. Our team is well-organized, and the Mercedes-AMG #77 has proven capable of competing at the highest level, as our recent results show. We’ll give it our all to end this season in the best way possible.”
Event Schedule
The Saudi Arabian round promises thrilling action and will provide a fitting finale to an intense season. Here is the official weekend schedule:
Friday, November 29
Free Practice: 13:30 – 15:30
Pre-Qualifying: 18:15 – 19:15 (LIVE TV)
Saturday, November 30
Qualifying: 9:45 (LIVE TV)
Race (6h): 15:00 (LIVE TV)
The Jeddah event will be broadcast live on the championship’s official YouTube channel, with commentary available in four languages: Italian, English, German, and Spanish.
