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Mercedes-AMG Junior Driver, Jordan Love, was crowned the Sprint Silver Cup champion thanks to another brilliant display from Jordan, his teammate Frank Bird and the HRT team, this time at Zandvoort in the final round of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup.
This season has seen Jordan and Haupt Racing Team become front runners in the closely contested Silver Cup class since the beginning of the season and entered the final round trailing the #99 Audi by one point and he would be joined by the returning Frank Bird (he was replaced for two races by the Swiss driver Alain Valente) for this crucial race weekend.
Jordan showcased excellent speed this season behind the wheel of the #77 HRT Mercedes-AMG GT3 to claim four class wins, nine class podiums and four pole positions on his way to securing the Silver Cup honours by 17 points and with it, the drivers' and team's championship for the team.
After utilising Friday's free practice and pre-qualifying sessions to familiarise himself with the challenging circuit, ending the day P3 overall in pre-qualifying, and Jordan would be elected for qualifying on Saturday morning.
Saturday’s qualifying saw a red flag stoppage to the session, which prevented Jordan from recording a lap to challenge for pole. Therefore, he would settle for P2, six places behind the championship rival they had to out score.
On a wet track due to earlier rain, Jordan started the race on slicks and made a great start, allowing him to gain several places and handed the #77 over to his teammate, Frank Bird, as leader in the Silver Cup. Frank would then remain clear of trouble to cross the line as winners in the Silver Cup, recording their third victory of the season. Moreover, in doing so the pair claimed a remarkable sixth place in the overall race order.
After the brilliant performance of the previous day, Jordan and the team started the final race day with a slender lead at the top of the championship. Frank was able to take advantage of slick tyres in rapidly drying conditions to put the blue Mercedes-AMG GT3 #77 on pole position in the Silver Cup, good enough for P5 overall, however this would then be changed to P3 overall following penalties for other competitors.
Frank would start the race well with the changing conditions and handed over the Mercedes-AMG GT3 #77 to Jordan with rain beginning to fall once more, with the pair running P2 overall and on course for victory in the Silver Class. Jordan would then manage the drying conditions well to take the chequered flag and with it a fourth class win of the season and yet another sixth place overall.R
eflecting back on the incredible season after the weekend, Jordan said:
"I'm over the moon, it's a fantastic feeling to end the season on the top step and take home the championship. It has been a real team effort and has been a pleasure to share the car with Frank and Alain. 2023 has been a brilliant year for myself, getting to work with the ultra-professional Haupt Racing Team and I've been proud to represent Mercedes-AMG as a Junior Driver this season.
"This season has certainly been a busy one and I'm looking forward to a bit of a rest, but I can't wait to get back out there in 2024!"
Image courtesy of Haupt Racing Team