Paul Ricard: Faisal Al Zubair will compete in the Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO run by Dubai-based Dragon Racing, as Tuck returns to the cockpit for the July 17-19 round. The 29-year-old British driver replaces Italy’s David Fumanelli and will be looking to help the Omani racer push for a podium finish in two highly competitive races at the iconic circuit near Le Castellet.

Faisal Al Zubair recently returned to top-flight professional racing after a short spell on the sidelines. He made his comeback at last month’s International GT Open round in Misano, where he finished sixth and seventh alongside Fumanelli.

The Omani driver has enjoyed strong success with Tuck in the past. The pair finished runners-up in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with Team WRT and also claimed second overall at the 2025 Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi alongside Chris Froggatt in the Al-Manar by Dragon Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO, despite suffering late brake issues.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Faisal Al Zubair said he was excited to return to Paul Ricard and reunite with Tuck.

“Great to be back at Paul Ricard. This is an incredibly challenging circuit steeped in history. I am looking forward to the weekend immensely. I am eager to get back in the 296 GT3 Evo with my team-mate this weekend, Ben Tuck, and to be back behind the wheel,” he said.

“Ben and I have enjoyed a lot of success together, from Dubai 24 last year, to GT World Challenge, finishing second in the Endurance Cup, and then finishing second together on our first run in the Ferrari at the Gulf 12.

“Ben and I get on extremely well. He has proved himself to be a top contender and a top driver. With the package we have, we should be in a strong position to compete for top honours. The goal is to be on the podium and to push for a race win.”

A total of 30 teams have entered the GT3 category across the Pro, Pro-Am and Amateur classes. In the Pro class, Al-Manar by Dragon Racing will face strong competition from Rinaldi Racing, the class-leading Elite Motorsport Ferrari, two Team Motopark Mercedes cars, the Greystone GT McLaren, two AF Corse Ferraris, the Scuderia Villorba Corse Lamborghini and the ZRS Motorsport Porsche.

International GT Open competitors will share the 5.842km Paul Ricard Circuit with entrants from GT Cup Europe, the E4 Championship, FIA Formula Regional and Euroformula Open.

The weekend begins with two one-hour free practice sessions on Friday, with the first scheduled for 10.31am and the second at 3.39pm. The first 25-minute qualifying session for Driver One will take place at 11.35am on Saturday, followed by the opening 70-minute race at 5.40pm.

The second qualifying session is scheduled for 8.30am on Sunday, before the second one-hour race gets underway at 1.45pm.