Race winning team Volante Rosso has commited to competing in the 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS, but will miss out on the opening round of the season at Phillip Island this weekend.
The most successful AMG team from last year's Fanatec GT Australia has elected to miss the first round after driver Chris Batzios was found to have a medical condition during his mandatory Motorsport Australia licence medical assessment.
The first round for this year was planned as a one-car entry for Volante Rosso, but driver Chris Batzios has had a setback on his health flagged at his Motorsport Australia which has ruled our entry out of Round 1 at Phillip Island.
Volante Rosso was one of the stars of 2023 Fanatec GT Australia, taking a pole position and race win at Phillip Island, another pole and a second place finish at Sydney Motorsport Park and reguarly challenging for podiums.
The Sydney-based team is planning to be ready to compete in Round 2 of Fanatec GT Australia at The Bend Motorsport Park in May.
QUOTES
Chris Papadopoulos
Team Principle, Volante Rosso
"Of course our first thoughts go to Chris and we wish him a speedy recovery," said Papadopoulos.
"It’s disappointing for the team because we have a great package for Phillip Island and were outright race winners and pole there last year. We haven’t missed a round since we joined the championship in 2022 so I’m sure it’ll be tough watching the others leave pit lane without us.
"We’ll still be at Phillip Island with our squad defending last years’ Radical Cup Championships, and we’ve got some incredibly exciting things coming in GT for the rest of the season, plus Chris Batzios’ return as soon as he’s able to get on track again."
Chris Batzios
Driver, Volante Rosso
"It is unfortunate that due to a medical condition diagnosed only a month or so ago I won't be able to make it to our opening round of GTWC Australia at Phillip Island," said Batzios.
"My aim is to get back in the car to test ASAP and back on the grid mid-year.
"I'm already on the mend and cannot wait to get back out on track.
"I am forever grateful that the sport we love has the mechanisms and processes in place with our annual detailed medical assessments to pick things up early. Had I not done these assessments who knows what the outcome could have been.
"Thank you to the amazing support and well wishes from my extended motorsport family and look forward see you all back out on track!"