– Max Ratel made a successful debut with Ginetta at Brands Hatch in the 2023 Ginetta GT Academy
– Ginetta GT Academy is a key step in Ginetta’s motorsport ladder, bridging the gap between Ginetta Juniors and the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT Championship
– Ratel debut hints at a promising motorsport career as he looks forward to potentially joining the 2024 season grid
Making a thrilling debut in the UK motorsport scene, Max Ratel, the son of renowned global motorsport figure Stephane Ratel, Chairman of SRO Motorsports Group, entered competitive racing this weekend with British motorsport brand Ginetta. Ratel’s debut race unfolded during the penultimate round of the 2023 Ginetta GT Academy at Brands Hatch, leaving a trail of anticipation for his future in the sport.
Taking on the challenging Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, Ratel finished fifth in the rookie class in the grid totalling 19 cars – racing with Want2Race. Ratel’s entry into the world of motorsport marks an exciting glimpse at the next generation of racing talent, following in the footsteps of his father, Stephane Ratel.
With the 2023 Ginetta GT Academy championship series drawing to a close, Max Ratel is already setting his sights on the 2024 season. The upcoming final round of the championship promises to be a thrilling climax with the GT Academy title decider scheduled to take place at Donington Park on October 21st and 22nd, promising more exciting racing action.
Max Ratel said: « I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to complete my competitive debut with Ginetta at the iconic and demanding Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit layout. The experience has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m grateful for the support from my family and the entire team at Ginetta. Looking ahead, I am excited to continue my journey in motorsport and hope to join the grid for the 2024 season. The final round of the Ginetta GT Academy is a fantastic chance for me to further develop my racing skills, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. »
Amy Tomlinson, MD, Ginetta Cars, said: « The Ginetta GT Academy serves as a bridge between young drivers’ early development in Ginetta Juniors and their progression to higher-level competition, making it a vital step in the motorsport pathway. Ginetta championships offer an unmatched racing platform, fostering the growth and mastery of racing skills for drivers of all experience levels. Through our progressive championship structures, Ginetta has the capability to transform passionate racing enthusiasts like Max Ratel into professional championship racing drivers.”
The Ginetta GT Academy, featuring both professional and amateur classes, is a key component of Ginetta’s motorsport ladder. Starting with Ginetta Juniors, the UK’s longest-running junior racing series for 14-17-year-olds, it offers young aspiring racers valuable experience with the Ginetta G40. This series has launched successful careers, including those of Lando Norris and Jamie Chadwick. The ladder reaches its pinnacle with the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT Championship, featuring the UK’s major single-make championship grids, GT5 and GT Pro.