LEMA Racing Makes History at Vallelunga with Maiden GTC Endurance Challenge AM Victory

LEMA Racing enjoyed a memorable weekend at Vallelunga as the team emerged from the opening round of the 2026 GTC Endurance Challenge with a landmark result in the AM class. In the championship’s first-ever event, Alberto Antonucci and Christian Mancinelli wrote their names into the history books by securing the maiden AM victory of the new series after a superb performance across both stages of the weekend.

Alberto Antonucci and Christian Mancinelli celebrating on the top step of the podium

The Vallelunga round marked the beginning of a new era for the GTC Endurance Challenge, and LEMA Racing quickly established itself as one of the standout teams in the GT4 field. In qualifying, Antonucci delivered a strong performance to place the car firmly in contention in the AM class, setting the tone for what would become a highly successful weekend for the team.

Stage 1 on Saturday delivered the first major highlight. LEMA Racing ran competitively throughout the race and remained firmly in the AM battle from the outset. After the pit window and late-race restart, Mancinelli produced one of the drives of the race, overtaking the cars ahead and sealing the AM lead in the closing stages. That decisive charge secured the Stage 1 class win for Antonucci and Mancinelli and put LEMA Racing at the top of the AM order.

The number 39 car piloted by Antonucci and Mancinelli in action

The weekend also highlighted the pace and determination of Kornelia Olkucka. As the only female driver on the Vallelunga grid and the only solo driver in the GT4 category, she produced one of the most notable performances of the event. After an explosive start in Stage 1, she ran strongly in the fight for a top result before contact in the closing stages forced her to settle for fourth place. Her Stage 2 race then came to an early end due to mechanical issues, but her efforts were still deservedly recognized with the Best Lady award, adding another positive milestone to LEMA Racing’s Vallelunga campaign.

Kornelia Olkucka celebrating her Best Lady award

On Sunday, Antonucci and Mancinelli backed up their Stage 1 success with another intelligent and composed performance. In a closely contested AM race, the timing of the safety car worked in their favor during the pit sequence, allowing Antonucci to emerge at the head of the class. From there, the pair controlled the race to take a second AM win of the weekend, confirming overall class victory at Vallelunga and cementing their place in GTC Endurance Challenge history.

For LEMA Racing, the result was about more than silverware alone. The team combined speed, consistency and race execution throughout the weekend, while also showing resilience in the face of setbacks. The double AM success of Antonucci and Mancinelli, together with Olkucka’s determined performance and individual recognition, made Vallelunga an ideal way to begin the new season.

Leaving Vallelunga, LEMA Racing can take pride not only in the result, but also in the manner in which it was achieved. In a historic opening weekend for the championship, the team ensured it would be among the first names remembered. With strong momentum now established, LEMA Racing can look ahead with confidence to Round 2 of the GTC Endurance Challenge, which will take place at Slovakiaring on 7 June 2026.