View source for GT4 European Series

{{Short description|Sports car championship}}
{{Infobox motorsport championship
| logo            = 
| image-size      = 
| caption         = 
| category        = [[Grand Tourer]] ([[SRO GT4]])
| country/region  = [[Europe]]
| inaugural       = 2007
| folded          = 
| GT classes      = GT4
| drivers         = 49
| teams           = 27
| tyres           = [[Pirelli]]
| current_season  = {{CURRENTYEAR}} GT4 European Series
| website         = [http://www.gt4europeanseries.com/ GT4 European Series]
}}

The '''GT4 European Series''' is a [[sports car racing|sports car]] championship created and organised by [[SRO Motorsports Group]]. It is a pro/am championship which utilizes [[SRO GT4]] class cars, and runs alongside the [[GT World Challenge Europe]] as a support series.

==History==
Following the successful introduction of the [[FIA GT3 European Championship]] in 2006, the formula was expanded to include usage by other nationally based professional championships such as the [[British GT Championship]], [[Belcar]], [[Australian GT Championship]] and German [[ADAC GT Masters]]. While the FIA GT3 European Championship continues, the SRO felt that a true amateur championship was needed in order to complement GT3 which allowed a certain level of professional driver to compete. Many national series also adopted the GT4 regulations as a lower class, and the European Cup eventually lacked the competitors needed to continue. During the [[2016 24 Hours of Spa]], the [[Stéphane Ratel Organisation]] (SRO) announced that the European Cup would be divided in 2 different series for 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/sro/gt4-europe/gt4-european-series-splits-extended-calendar-for-2017/ |title=GT4 European Series Splits; Extended Schedule for 2017 |website=sportscar365.com|publisher=Jake Kilshaw|date=December 29, 2016 |access-date=July 29, 2016}}</ref> They are called the [[GT4 European Series Northern Cup]] and the [[GT4 European Series Southern Cup]]. The Northern Cup will be the same as the European Cup, while the Southern Cup will collect forces with the [[FFSA GT Championship]]. Since Stéphane Ratel spoke out about his firm belief in this class, many championships and constructors have followed. In 2018 the Southern Cup was renamed FFSA GT - GT4 France, while the Northern Cup became the sole GT4 European Series again.

===Drivers===
Like GT3, GT4 drivers have a set of criteria which would automatically eliminate them from competition based on their level of experience.  Since GT4 class drivers are meant to be true amateurs, these criteria are tighter than that seen in GT3.

Drivers under the age of 30 are not allowed to have had a top-ten finish in any national or international single-seater championship, nor to have had a distinguishable career in a national or international GT championship.  These drivers are known as Silver drivers.  Drivers over the age of 30 who did not receive their racing licenses until after turning 30 and having no single-seater experience at all are also allowed in the series, under the term Bronze drivers.

===Races===
Just as in GT3, each event would consist of two races of equal distance, usually held on different days.  Teams were not required to have two drivers and could use the same driver for each race.

===Championship===
The championship used the standard FIA point scheme for the top ten finishers: 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.  If a team used different drivers for each race in a single event, both drivers would receive points.  A driver and team championship were both held.

If at least five cars of the same make participate in a race, then a manufacturer cup would also be awarded, similar to the style used in GT3.

==Champions==

===Drivers===
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! GT4
! Light
! Supersport
|-
! [[2007 GT4 European Cup|2007]]
| {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Eric De Doncker]]
|align=center| ''Not awarded''
|rowspan=2 align=center| ''Not awarded''
|-
! [[2008 GT4 European Cup|2008]]
| {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Eric De Doncker]]
| {{flagicon|DEU}} [[Christopher Haase]]
|-
! [[2009 GT4 European Cup|2009]]
| {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Joe Osborne]]
|rowspan=3 align=center| ''Not awarded''
| {{flagicon|AUT}} Augustin Eder
|-
! [[2010 GT4 European Cup|2010]]
| {{flagicon|NLD}} [[Paul Meijer]]
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Gianni Giudici]]
|-
! [[2011 GT4 European Cup|2011]]
| {{flagicon|NLD}} [[Ricardo van der Ende]]
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Gianni Giudici]]
|-
! Year
! Silver Cup
! Pro (2013–2016)<br>Pro-Am Cup (2017–present)
! Am (2013–2016)<br>Am Cup (2017–present)
|-
! [[2013 GT4 European Trophy|2013]]
|rowspan=4 align=center| ''Not awarded''
| {{flagicon|NLD}} [[Ricardo van der Ende]]
| {{flagicon|DEU}} Jörg Viehbahn
|-
! [[2014 GT4 European Series|2014]]
| {{flagicon|NLD}} [[Prince Bernhard of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven|Bernhard van Oranje]]<br>{{flagicon|NLD}} [[Ricardo van der Ende]]
| {{flagicon|FRA}} André Grammatico
|-
! [[2015 GT4 European Series|2015]]
| {{flagicon|NLD}} Jelle Beelen<br>{{flagicon|NLD}} Marcel Nooren
| {{flagicon|AUT}} Daniel Uckermann
|-
! [[2016 GT4 European Series|2016]]
| {{flagicon|DEU}} [[Peter Terting]]<br>{{flagicon|DEU}} Jörg Viebahn
| {{flagicon|FRA}} Jérôme Demay
|-
! [[2017 GT4 European Series Northern Cup|2017]]
| {{flagicon|NLD}} [[Ricardo van der Ende]]<br>{{flagicon|NLD}} Max Koebolt
| {{flagicon|NLD}} Luc Braams<br>{{flagicon|NLD}} [[Duncan Huisman]]
| {{flagicon|ITA}} Giuseppe Ghezzi
|-
! [[2018 GT4 European Series|2018]]
| {{flagicon|NLD}} Milan Dontje<br>{{flagicon|DNK}} Nicolaj Møller Madsen
| {{flagicon|DEU}} Markus Lungstrass
| {{flagicon|SUI}} Niki Leutwiler
|-
! [[2019 GT4 European Series|2019]]
| {{flagicon|NLD}} Simon Knap<br>{{flagicon|USA}} [[Alec Udell]]
| {{flagicon|NOR}} Marcus Påverud<br>{{flagicon|DEU}} Luca Trefz
| {{flagicon|CHE}} Pascal Bachmann<br>{{flagicon|LUX}} Clément Seyler
|-
! [[2020 GT4 European Series|2020]]
| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Valentin Hasse-Clot]]<br>{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Théo Nouet]]
| {{flagicon|DNK}} [[Bastian Buus]]<br>{{flagicon|DEU}} Jan Kasperlik
| {{flagicon|FRA}} Nicolas Gomar<br>{{flagicon|FRA}} Gilles Vannelet
|-
! [[2021 GT4 European Series|2021]]
| {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Charlie Fagg]] <br>{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Bailey Voisin]]
| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Grégory Guilvert]] <br>{{flagicon|FRA}} Fabien Michal
| {{flagicon|FRA}} Michael Blanchemain <br>{{flagicon|FRA}} Christophe Hamon
|-
![[2022 GT4 European Series|2022]]
|{{flagicon|ISR}} [[Roee Meyuhas]]<br>{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Erwan Bastard]]
|{{flagicon|FRA}} Jean-Luc Beaubelique<br>{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Jim Pla]]
|{{flagg|cnxa|Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|nodata=1|image=Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile flag.svg}}Mikhail Loboda<br>{{flagg|cnxa|Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|nodata=1|image=Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile flag.svg}}Andrey Solukvtsev
|-
![[2023 GT4 European Series|2023]]
|{{flagicon|DEU}} Michael Schrey<br>{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Gabriele Piana]]
| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Grégory Guilvert]] <br>{{flagicon|FRA}} Christophe Hamon
| {{flagicon|FRA}} Alban Varutti
|-
![[2024 GT4 European Series|2024]]
|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Tom Lebbon]]<br>{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Josh Rattican]]
| {{flagicon|DEU}} Max Kronberg <br>{{flagicon|DEU}} Finn Zulauf
| {{flagicon|FRA}}  Pascal Huteau<br>{{flagicon|FRA}} Laurent Hurgon
|}

===Teams===
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
!colspan=3| Overall
|-
! [[2007 GT4 European Cup|2007]]
|colspan=3 align=center| ''Not awarded''
|-
! [[2008 GT4 European Cup|2008]]
|colspan=3| {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Eric De Doncker|Motorsport98]]
|-
! [[2009 GT4 European Cup|2009]]
|colspan=3| {{flagicon|GBR}} [[RJN Motorsport]]
|-
! [[2010 GT4 European Cup|2010]]
|colspan=3| {{flagicon|NLD}} Rhesus Racing
|-
! [[2011 GT4 European Cup|2011]]
|colspan=3| {{flagicon|NLD}} Ekris BMW/Racing Team Holland by Ekris Motorsport
|-
! [[2013 GT4 European Trophy|2013]]
|colspan=3| {{flagicon|NLD}} Ekris Motorsport
|-
! [[2014 GT4 European Series|2014]]
|colspan=3| {{flagicon|NLD}} Racing Team Holland by Ekris Motorsport
|-
! [[2015 GT4 European Series|2015]]
|colspan=3| {{flagicon|NLD}} V8 Racing
|-
! [[2016 GT4 European Series|2016]]
|colspan=3| {{flagicon|DEU}} PROsport Performance
|-
! Year
! Silver Cup
! Pro-Am Cup
! Am Cup
|-
! [[2017 GT4 European Series Northern Cup|2017]]
| {{flagicon|NLD}} Ekris Motorsport
| {{flagicon|NLD}} Las Moras Racing
| {{flagicon|ITA}} Autorlando Sport
|-
! [[2018 GT4 European Series|2018]]
| {{flagicon|DEU}} [[Phoenix Racing (German racing team)|Phoenix Racing]]
| {{flagicon|DEU}} Racing One
| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[TFT Racing]]
|-
! [[2019 GT4 European Series|2019]]
| {{flagicon|NLD}} MDM Motorsport
| {{flagicon|DEU}} {{ill|Leipert Motorsport|de}}
| {{flagicon|BEL}} Street Art Racing
|-
! Year
!colspan=3| Overall
|-
! [[2018 GT4 European Series|2018]]
|colspan=3| {{flagicon|DEU}} Racing One
|-
! [[2019 GT4 European Series|2019]]
|colspan=3| {{flagicon|DEU}} {{ill|Leipert Motorsport|de}}
|-
! [[2020 GT4 European Series|2020]]
|colspan=3| {{flagicon|FRA}} AGS Events
|-
! Year
! Silver Cup
! Pro-Am Cup
! Am Cup
|-
! [[2021 GT4 European Series |2021]]
| {{flagicon|GBR}} [[United Autosports]]
| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Saintéloc Racing]]
| {{flagicon|FRA}} Team Fullmotorsport
|-
![[2022 GT4 European Series|2022]]
|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Saintéloc Racing]]
|{{flagicon|FRA}} AKKodis ASP Team
|{{flagicon|FRA}} AKKodis ASP Team
|-
![[2023 GT4 European Series|2023]]
|{{Flagicon|CHE}} Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport
|{{Flagicon|FRA}} [[Saintéloc Racing|Saintéloc Junior Team]]
|{{Flagicon|FRA}} AVR-Avvatar
|-
![[2024 GT4 European Series|2024]]
|{{flagicon|GBR}} Elite Motorsport with Entire RE
|{{flagicon|DEU}} W&S Motorsport
|{{Flagicon|FRA}} Schumacher CLRT
|}

==Similar series==
Since the introduction of the GT4 European Cup, the GT4 class of cars have been expanded to various national series.  The [[British GT Championship]] and [[Belgian GT Championship]] allow GT4 and Super Sport class cars to compete alongside the GT3 class, while the stand-alone [[Dutch GT4 Championship]] ran its first season of competition 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gt4cup.com/newsitem.php?key=68 |title=GT4 European Cup - News |publisher=Gt4cup.com |date=2008-06-25 |access-date=2011-08-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807134658/http://gt4cup.com/newsitem.php?key=68 |archive-date=2011-08-07 }}</ref> The Spanish [[GT Cup Open Europe]] series also allows GT4 cars to compete with one-make cars. A GT4 championship plans to be run in Brazil in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fiagt.com/newsitem.php?key=2283 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123043607/http://www.fiagt.com/newsitem.php?key=2283 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-23 |title=FIA GT Championship - News |publisher=Fiagt.com |access-date=2011-08-08 }}</ref> Norway introduced a national championship called GTF in 2014 featuring GT4 regulated cars. The [[Super Taikyu Series]] in Japan also includes a GT4 class called ST-Z.  The United States–based ACCUS offers the [[GT4 America Series]] promoted by SRO and sanctioned by the United States Auto Club for one-hour sprint races, and the [[Michelin Pilot Challenge]] sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association for longer races (2-4 hours).

== Circuits ==

'''Bold''' denotes a circuit will be used in the [[2025 GT4 European Series|2025 season]].
<!--* * '''''Italic''''' denotes a future circuit will be used in the [[2026 GT4 European Series|2026 season]].-->

* {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Adria International Raceway]] (2009)
* {{flagicon|POR}} [[Algarve International Circuit]] (2009–2010)
* {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Anderstorp Raceway]] (2013)
* {{flagicon|SVK}} [[Automotodróm Slovakia Ring]] (2017)
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Brands Hatch]] (2017–2019)
* {{flagicon|CZE}} [[Brno Circuit]] (2008)
* {{flagicon|ESP}} '''[[Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya]]''' (2021–2023, 2025)
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours]] (2007, 2010)
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Pau Grand Prix|Circuit de Pau-Ville]] (2016)
* {{flagicon|BEL}} '''[[Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps]]''' (2007–2011, 2013–2016, 2018, 2020–present)
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Circuit Paul Armagnac]] (2007–2008, 2015)
* {{flagicon|FRA}} '''[[Circuit Paul Ricard]]''' (2010, 2014, 2019–present)
* {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Circuit Ricardo Tormo]] (2022–2023)
* {{flagicon|NED}} '''[[Circuit Zandvoort]]''' (2011, 2013–2017, 2019–2021, 2025)
* {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Circuit Zolder]] (2009, 2011, 2018)
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Hockenheimring]] (2022–2024)
* {{flagicon|HUN}} [[Hungaroring]] (2016, 2018)
* {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Imola Circuit]] (2020, 2022)
* {{flagicon|SAU}} [[Jeddah Corniche Circuit]] (2024)
* {{flagicon|ITA}} '''[[Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli]]''' (2014–2015, 2017–2020, 2022–present)
* {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Monza Circuit]] (2008, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2023–2024)
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Motorsport Arena Oschersleben]] (2007–2009)
* {{flagicon|GER}} '''[[Nürburgring]]''' (2010, 2014–2015, 2017–2021, 2025)
* {{flagicon|AUT}} [[Red Bull Ring]] (2015, 2017)
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Silverstone Circuit]] (2007–2011, 2013, 2016)
* {{flagicon|NED}} [[TT Circuit Assen]] (2011, 2013)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|GT4 European Cup}}
* {{Official website|http://www.gt4series.com/|GT4 European Series}}
* {{Official website|http://www.gt4cup.com/|GT4 European Cup}}
* [http://gt-4.nl/ Dutch GT4 Championship]

{{FIA GT Championship Seasons}}
{{Class of Auto racing}}
{{European Championships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gt4 European Series}}
[[Category:GT4 European Series| ]]
[[Category:GT4 (sports car class)]]
[[Category:Sports car racing series]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2007]]