GTWC | Audi leaves Tresor alone against everyone: “Let’s grit our teeth”

The 2024 season in the GT World Challenge Europe was known a priori that it would not be easy for Tresor Competition, the only team – in collaboration with Attempto Racing – to bring the Audi Sport brand to the track at PRO Class level.

As already known for some time, the Four Rings closed all the official programs relating to the Corse Clienti in favor of the choice to land in Formula 1 in 2026, therefore it was quite clear that there would no longer be the same weight and attention for the armed teams of the R8 LMS GT3 Evo II.

If on the one hand the majority of the teams preferred to turn towards other brands to guarantee a certain level of support from a manufacturer, on the other hand Ferdinando Geri himself had already long ago affirmed his loyalty to the Ingolstadt manufacturer, counting on a long-lasting partnership and hoping that, being among the very few to register their Audis both nationally and internationally, there would be some consideration on the part of the company.

Among other things, it is also right to remember that in 2023 the Italian team won the Sprint Cup titles reserved for teams and drivers, thanks to the great results of Mattia Drudi (who today moved to Aston Martin) and Ricardo Feller, therefore capable of bringing the name of the Germans is high.

Instead, for the moment, Audi Sport’s abandonment has proven to be total, reiterating its intent to collaborate only with the supply of spare parts and making available the very few drivers still with an official contract, which in the case of Tresor-Attempto is is about Feller and Christopher Haase.

“For my part, the choice to race with Audi is confirmed, after years of fruitful collaboration; on the other hand, given our loyalty we would expect greater support, which is currently lacking, apart from the parts spare parts”, explains Geri speaking with Motorsport.com and other journalists present in Misano for the Sprint Cup round, describing a situation that was at times surreal.

“We need help in political meetings and in discussions on the Balance of Performance. Mine is not an appeal, but a fact.”

#88 Tresor Attempto Racing, Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II: Christopher Haase, Lorenzo Ferrari

Photo by: SRO

It’s natural that in such a situation we also start to look at what’s around, not only for the drivers who are looking for a seat for 2025, but also for the teams themselves who want to continue the adventure in the SRO series Motorsports Group.

“For 2024 we are gritting our teeth, in the absence of alternatives, but for the moment it is early to talk about next year. We are only at the second Sprint Cup race, but going on like this makes no sense for Audi Sport, nor for us”, continues the Tresor Team Principal, also underlining the commitment in the main category, something that other teams (CSA and Saintéloc Racing, for example) have preferred to give up to make a presence in the other ranks such as Gold, Silver and Bronze Cup, where moreover the Tresor Attempto itself competes.

“We remained the only team registered in the PRO Class to fight for the overall victory, but if we talk about the future, the decision to continue must first of all be made by the Manufacturer, we can only support him in the choices”.

“Some pilots are confused and worried about the situation and are asking questions that we don’t know how to answer. Ultimately, if there are no solutions to improve this situation, we will be forced to give up.”

#99 Tresor Attempto Racing, Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II: Alex Aka, Ricardo Feller

Photo by: SRO

First, however, we must honor the current season which, in addition to the Sprint Cup, sees Tresor Attempto Racing thinking about the 24h of Spa-Francorchamps, for which it will prepare in these days with the official Prologue tests.

In the Ardennes we will also see Glenn Van Berlo in action to form a quartet on the Gold Cup Audi #88 together with Lorenzo Ferrari, Lorenzo Patrese and Leonardo Moncini, while in PRO the #99 of Feller, Haase and Alex Aka is confirmed, and in Bronze the #66 by Andrey Mukovoz, Dylan Pereira and Max Hofer. Afterwards, the positions of the parties will be evaluated to begin planning for 2025.

“The Prologue of the 24h of Spa is a fundamental moment to prepare for the most important race of the year. We have many solutions to test and all the drivers will be busy on the track to collect as much data as possible and prepare for every situation.”

“A sincere welcome to Glenn who I am sure will immediately feel at home and will be able to best express his full potential. Working with young talents has been a prerogative for us right from the start, so we are happy to have him on board.”

“For now we’re thinking about concentrating in view of the 24h of Spa, at least we’ll think about the future afterwards, and with what moods. But for now it’s right to keep our mind on the most important race of the season for our championship”, concludes Geri.