Andrea Ficarelli : "Having SRO on our side is clearly a value for the event"

After two complicated years due to the pandemic, Driving Force Events, promotor of the Gulf 12 Hours, are back in the spotlight at the end of 2022. The 11th edition was the Intercontinental GT Challenge final. This reinforcement of the SRO championship has logically increased the number of GT3s in the Pro category and relegated the usual Pro-Am teams to the background. Andrea Ficarelli, promotor of the event, has other plans in the pipeline to keep everyone happy. 

Are you happy with the December 2022 grid?

Before we finalised our plans to host the IGTC final, we had 30 cars entered, which is a grid comparable to 2019. However, we did the same job as in previous years, which were less full because of Covid-19. We lost some cars due to the presence of Pro lineups. I think we would have had the same number of cars without the presence of the IGTC but having SRO on our side is clearly a value for the event, especially in terms of the perception of the event. Maybe we could have had two or three more GTs. 2022 is an experimental edition with SRO as we have a two-year contract at the moment.

You were forced to change your plans concerning the TCR meeting and the 6H race in Dubai...

The situation was complicated but the TCR Middle East will be there in 2023. We tried to do something after the WTCR in Saudi Arabia but we didn't have enough cars. So that's why we don't have a side series here in Abu Dhabi. At the same time, having only one championship allowed us to have more track time on Friday. As for the race that we were going to hold in Dubai a week after Abu Dhabi, the teams showed interest, but when it came time to make a final commitment, they said no. It didn't make sense to have the race in Dubai with a small field.

To keep the Gulf 12 Hours at this December date is the best option?

Holding it in January as we did this year was too close to the New Year. Putting it a week later in December, as we wanted to do with the Dubai race, is too close to Christmas for the teams and drivers. This date is perfect for everyone.

The Yas Marina 6H will be held next year. Why this new event?

As you can see, the Gulf 12 Hours is still the playground for GT3 cars, even though we had a few Porsche 911 GT3 Cups. This will no longer be the case in 2023 with a 12-hour race exclusively dedicated to GT3. That's why Driving Force Events has decided to set up this new race for non-GT3 GTs. This race will take place on Saturday evening.

Are you confident about the Bahrain Pro-Am 1000 meeting next January?

With the Gulf 12 Hours for the more Pro lineups, it made sense to organise a race for the Pro-Am cars on another F1 circuit. The objective is to have around 20 GTs. The interest is clearly there but now the teams have to sign the drivers. We are taking advantage of the Gulf 12 Hours to talk to teams and drivers in the paddock.