Maserati Returns to Sports Car Racing With New GT2

Maserati is set to return to open-wheel racing later this year by way of the 2023 Formula E World Championship, but the automaker isn't stopping its motorsport efforts there. The House of Trident announced Tuesday that it will be entering the GT2 European Series with the all-new Maserati GT2 racer, marking a return to the world of sports car racing.

The Maserati GT2 is based on the automaker’s MC20 supercar, complete with that car’s carbon monocoque chassis and 3.0-liter Nettuno V-6 engine out back. That motor provides the roadgoing MC20 with 621 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque, though Maserati promises that the racer’s powertrain will be taken to “higher level.” Series regulations and balance of performance rules will ultimately determine the output of the GT2 racer, so don't expect the 740 hp we've seen from the brand's previous one-off racer. Regardless of output, Maserati pairs the engine with a six-speed sequential racing gearbox with wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The entire suspension system is also bespoke to the race car, complete with fully adjustable shocks and anti-roll bars front and rear. Maserati engineers spent a ton of time developing the aero balance for the GT2, which is achieved via an aggressive front splitter and adjustable rear wing combo. The body panels themselves are made of lightweight composite, and are equipped with quick-release hardware for speedy repairs in the pits. The aggressive yet sculpted shape is very reminiscent of the race-ready MC12 that came before it.