Maserati is set to return to closed-wheel GT 2 racing after a more than a decade absence from the sport with the new MC20 GT2. The Italian carmaker last competed in the European GT2 series with the iconic MC12 between 2004 and 2010. The announcement was the second in connection with its return to the world of motorsports, with the company also prepared to enter Formula E as a manufacturer.
Maserati CEO David 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 exceptional MC20. Racing has always been Maserati’s natural And now, in both the Fantec GT2 European Series Championship and the Formula E Championship, the brand is making a fresh start from its roots to build the future.
The new GT2 is based on the MC20 mid-engined supercar, retaining the Nettuno V6 engine, but with a number of motorsport-related upgrades to qualify for races in the 2023 season of the Fantec GT2 European Series Championship.
The GT2 gets fully adjustable suspension and a heavily modified aero package with FIA-spec fuel tank and roll cage.
The GT2 car gets a heavily upgraded aero package over the road-going MC20 which also includes new bumpers, a huge rear wing, revised fenders and side skirts and a new bonnet. It also gets an extra scoop above the rear engine compartment to absorb excess air into the engine along with oversized vents on the rear fenders. The car sits on 18-inch center locking forged aluminum wheels with adjustable race-spec suspension and anti-roll bars at the front and rear.
The cabin has also been decked out with essentials like air conditioning, adjustable steering and paddle box, 6-point racing harness and a race seat. The passenger seat has also been removed to save weight. Other upgrades include an FIA-certified roll cage, fire suppression system and a 120-liter fuel tank.
As mentioned earlier, the 3.0-litre Nettuno V6 has been retained, though Maserati has not revealed the official power figures. The company says that the base engine will develop 621 bhp with the actual output which will vary at the time of entering the race series. The unit is mated to a 6-speed sequential race gearbox. The brakes have also been upgraded for the Race Series.