Maserati is well on its way to the debut of the MC20 GT2 racer, gearing up to take on the SRO’s Fanatec GT2 European Series Championship from 2023. It’ll compete against cars from Audi, Brabham, KTM, Lamborghini and Porsche, supplying cars to customer teams from 2024. Due to be revealed in full in June at the 24hrs of Spa race, this will be Maserati’s first mid-engined customer racing car since its dominant MC12 of the early 2000s.
The road-going MC20’s underlying mechanicals will remain, including its carbon fibre monocoque built by Italian composites experts Dallara, 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 electronically-controlled differential as it does in the road car, the GT2’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 fresh braking setup with new brake-cooling measures. Both the dampers and anti-roll bars will be mechanically adjustable, with a unique FIA-approved electric power steering system thrown in too.
Inside the cabin, Maserati has swapped out the road car’s dashboard for a full carbon fibre item with a single 10-inch screen taking care of all the driver information needs. The interior will be fitted with an FIA-homologated roll cage, adjustable pedal box, a six-point harness, 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 the more common GT3 class, it’s by design as these racers are built specifically for amateur drivers, rather than full factory supported championships. Still, the MC20 GT2 will feature a balanced aero package that combines a large adjustable rear wing and large diffuser combination, matched to an equally aggressive splitter.
The body itself is otherwise completely bespoke from the road car, and completely constructed out of carbon fibre, with quick release mechanisms allowing for fast and easy replacement when damaged. New for the GT2 is a substantial snorkel sat above the engine cover, with the front grille and side intakes reshaped to swallow more air.
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.
Click here for our review of the Maserati MC20…
