Steller Motorsport ready to unleash new Corvette Z06 GT3.R at season-opener

Steller Motorsport ready to unleash new Corvette Z06 GT3.R at season-opener

Steller Motorsport is set to embark on a bold new chapter this weekend, as it prepares to debut its brand-new Corvette Z06 GT3.R in the opening round of the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup at Circuit Paul Ricard, France.

The six-hour endurance race, taking place on Saturday 12 April, marks the team’s first competitive outing with the highly anticipated GT3 machine, following an intensive preseason testing program across Europe, including circuits in Spain, France, Germany, and the UK.

Behind the wheel of the team’s Corvette will be three rising stars of the motorsport world. Talented Belgian Matisse Lismont brings GT racing experience and a background in prototype racing. He will be joined by former British F4 champion and a race-winner at the opening British GT round of 2025, Kiern Jewiss, and Lorcan Hanafin, known for his speed in Porsche Carrera Cup and international GT competition.

After months of preparation with the Corvette Z06 GT3.R, the team is optimistic but realistic about the challenges ahead.

Matisse Lismont said, "I am extremely excited for this coming season. Taking the experience I gained last year, I am aiming high and chase as many good results together with the Steller Motorsports team. Having driven the Corvette at the Nürburgring I am filled with confidence for the season; it was an amazing car to drive."

Kiern Jewiss commented, "Really looking forward to getting going this weekend, and really appreciate the opportunity Steller Motorsport have given me; it'll be a new experience in the Corvette, with two new teammates. I'm obviously coming off the back of a good weekend last weekend in British GT, and hopefully I can carry the momentum forward into this weekend and help the team get a great result."

Lorcan Hanafin added, "I'm excited to being joining Steller Motorsport for the first race of the GT World Challenge Europe season. We've had an extensive testing programme with the new Corvette, and I think everyone is looking forward to finally getting the season underway."

Team manager Max Daymond said ahead of round one, “Switching to a completely new car is never easy, especially in a championship as competitive as GT World Challenge Europe. We’ve been working flat-out since the cars arrived, covering hundreds of laps in testing. The learning curve has been steep, but fruitful, and now it’s time to go racing, which is the reason we do this. We’ve got three young and talented drivers in the car this weekend, and everyone is incredibly excited to get the season underway.”

Steller Motorsport will be on track on Friday 11 April, with free practice from 14:20–16:20, followed by a pre-qualifying night session from 20:00–21:00. Saturday 12 April sees qualifying from 11:50–12:50, with the headline six-hour endurance race starting at 18:00 under the lights.

Located in the South of France, Circuit Paul Ricard is renowned for its 5.8km layout, incorporating high-speed straights and technical corners. The track's unique blue and red striped runoff areas and the iconic Mistral Straight are famous in motorsport circles and make it a fitting setting for the season’s curtain-raiser.

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Photos: SRO / Jakob Ebrey