GT World Challenge Europe Monza 2026: Ford makes history, Rossi prepares the assault in the 3 Hours of the Temple of Speed

Monza is ready to deliver another chapter in its long motorsport history. The GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup comes to the Temple of Speed for one of the most prestigious events of the season, and all the signs point to a race set to leave its mark. The surprise came already in qualifying, where the Ford Mustang GT3 claimed a historic pole position, while Valentino Rossi and the Team WRT prepare for a difficult but fascinating comeback in front of the home crowd.

With almost sixty cars on the starting grid and the main GT manufacturers present, the 3 Hours of Monza confirms itself as one of the most competitive events on the international endurance scene.

Ford Mustang GT3 claims the first pole of its history

The Monza qualifying rewarded the work done by Ford and HRT Racing over the last few months. Car number 64 Mustang GT3 has indeed taken the model’s first overall pole position in the GT World Challenge Europe, a result that represents a milestone for the American project.

On the lightning-fast Lombardy track, the American car showed great aerodynamic efficiency and notable competitiveness on the long straights, managing to beat some of the category’s absolute benchmarks.

A strong signal for the championship

The pole secured at Monza is not just a statistical fact. It is proof that the Mustang GT3 programme has reached a level of maturity that allows it to fight steadily for the leading positions.

In the paddock, many insiders have pointed out how the Ford project is growing race after race, gradually closing the gap to historically dominant brands such as Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, Ferrari and BMW.

Now the question is whether the speed shown over a single lap can be turned into a concrete result over the three-hour distance.

Mercedes, Ferrari and Porsche on the attack

If Ford starts in front of everyone, there is no shortage of challengers. Mercedes-AMG arrives as one of the main favourites thanks to a car particularly effective on high-speed circuits and line-ups of outstanding quality.

Ferrari also arrives at Monza with major ambitions. The 296 GT3 continues to be one of the most complete cars in the field and the Maranello team is aiming to exploit both race pace and its knowledge of a circuit that has always been a special stop for Italian motorsport.

Porsche and BMW, for their part, have shown very consistent pace in the preparatory sessions and could become protagonists especially in the second half of the race, when tyre management and strategy will play a decisive role.

Valentino Rossi looks for a comeback in front of the Italian fans

Among the most eagerly awaited drivers is inevitably Valentino Rossi. The nine-time world champion faces one of the most important events of the season together with team-mates Max Hesse and Dan Harper in the BMW M4 GT3 Evo of Team WRT.

Qualifying did not deliver the result hoped for by the number 46 crew, which will start from thirteenth position. A placing that will force Rossi and his team-mates to build an aggressive but intelligent race, making use of every opportunity offered by strategy and any neutralisations.

Monza and Rossi, a special bond

Racing at Monza has always had a special flavour for Valentino Rossi. The relationship with the Monza circuit has been established for years and the support of the Italian crowd represents an element capable of providing extra motivation.

On the eve of the race, the Tavullia driver reiterated how high the level of the championship is and how every detail can make the difference. Team WRT’s goal will be to recover positions in the early stages of the race in order to close rapidly on the leading group.

Strategy will be decisive in the 3 Hours of Monza

On a track characterised by long straights, heavy braking and very high average speeds, race management takes on fundamental importance.

Fuel consumption, tyre degradation and traffic from the slower cars could heavily affect the final result. For this very reason, many teams have focused their weekend work on race preparation rather than on chasing outright performance in qualifying.

Monza is a circuit that often rewards those who can maintain consistency and precision over the three hours, characteristics that could favour crews particularly experienced in endurance racing.

GT World Challenge Europe Monza 2026: spectacle guaranteed in the Temple of Speed

The historic pole for the Ford Mustang GT3 has already sparked the interest of fans, but the real battle has yet to begin. Mercedes-AMG, Ferrari, Porsche and BMW are ready to fight for victory, while Valentino Rossi will try to give the Italian fans a comeback to remember.

All the signs point to a race that is open, unpredictable and fought until the final lap. In the Temple of Speed every detail can make the difference, and the 3 Hours of Monza 2026 has all the ingredients to become one of the most spectacular events of the entire GT World Challenge Europe season.