Antonio Sainero signed off an “especially demanding” season with E2P Racing runner-up in the GT3-PRO/AM Drivers’ standings and 3rd in the overall GT3 Drivers’ standings, despite retiring from the 24H SERIES powered by Hankook’s season finale in Barcelona. 

Sainero, together with E2P Racing teammates Pablo Burguera and new team PRO Alvaro Parente (who were driving with E2P CEO Javier Morcillo in Barcelona), came into this past weekend’s Hankook 24H BARCELONA at the head of the GT3-PRO/AM Teams’ and Drivers’ standings, are were keen to put a tough run at the event behind them with a podium finish. Sadly, a collision at two-thirds distance and resultant gearbox failure led to the #90 Porsche 991.2 GT3 R retiring from the event three hours from home. This, plus a class win – and the overall runners-up spot – for nearest category rival Saintéloc Junior Team, meant E2P Racing dropped to 2nd in the category standings. 

Sainero was quick to express his “deep gratitude” for his season with E2P Racing though, one that included their first GT3 class win together at this year’s Hankook 12H SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS. 

“This year has been especially demanding, both physically and mentally, with great moments of satisfaction and others extremely hard. It has been a season of continuous learning, in which I have grown as a driver and as a competitor.

“I want to express my deep gratitude to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. To my teammates, whose commitment has been unwavering, and to the technical team of [E2P Racing] whose impeccable work has been fundamental to keep us competitive in every race.”

From 7th on the grid in Barcelona, E2P Racing was running comfortably in the overall top five after two hours, and, thanks to a storming stint by team PRO Parente, was leading GT3-PRO/AM and just 36 seconds adrift of overall leader Optimum Motorsport after three hours. A clash with the NM Racing Team, and a drop in pace compared with the GT3 frontrunners, meant the #90 Porsche dropped to 6th overall (4th in GT3-PRO/AM) at one-third distance, though the Spanish team remained well in contention for a class podium throughout the night. 

A heavier collision in traffic during the night however ended up costing E2P Racing 50 minutes in the pits, seven places overall (Sainero, Burguera and Parente retained 4th in GT3-PRO/AM), and dropped the #90 Porsche 36 laps behind the overall leader. Sadly, the effects of the collision on the power steering eventually proved terminal. 

This marked the second year in succession that E2P Racing’s Hankook 24H BARCELONA weekend had been brought to an early end through mechanical issues. Ironically, the Spanish team’s 991 class win in 2022 was only possible after a full gearbox change!

“Unfortunately, we were unable to complete the race due to an on-track incident with a lapped car, which compromised our chances of finishing the event,” Sainero continues.

“Despite this, [E2P Racing] acted quickly and managed to repair the initial damage, allowing us to continue in the race. However, just four hours from the end, one of the pieces affected in the crash began to fail, forcing us to make the difficult decision to retire.”

Despite the disappointment, Sainero hinted that he would be back in the 24H SERIES for a third season of GT3 racing in 2025, presumably with E2P Racing once again. 

“I close the season with the satisfaction of having given everything, but with the certainty that we will come back stronger for the next one. This is just the beginning, and I'm already looking forward to competing at the highest level again in one of the most demanding championships in the world.”