May 11, 2026
MISANO, ITALY
Rafael Duran opened his Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo Endurance campaign this weekend at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, sharing the #50 Spirit of Race Ferrari 296 GT3 with David Perel for Round 1 of the 2026 season - a weekend that delivered serious promise before being cut down in heartbreaking fashion in the closing hour.
The Spanish-American driver showed strong pace from the outset, helping the #50 entry qualify P5 overall and P2 in class, putting the squad firmly into podium contention for the three-hour race. The crew's preparation translated immediately into performance once the lights went out, with Duran and Perel running at the sharp end throughout the race in tricky, ever-changing conditions on the Romagna circuit.
At the halfway mark the #50 Ferrari was leading its class, with the duo in genuine contention for an overall podium and banking valuable points in the championship standings. However, motorsport's unpredictable nature struck twice in the final hour - both times in the form of contact from another competitor - sending the #50 down the order and ending what had been a podium-bound run. The crew salvaged what they could, ultimately taking the chequered flag in P7 in class.
"Heartbreak in the final hour," said Duran. "It was a strong weekend alongside David. We qualified P5 overall and P2 in class, fought at the front for most of the race, ran in podium contention and even led the class halfway through to take home some extra points in the standings. Unfortunately, we were taken out by another competitor - twice - which cost us dearly as we crossed the line P7 in class. Gutted, but the pace was there and the team was on point. The future looks promising and we'll be back stronger for Round 2."
Despite the disappointing final result, the underlying performance offers plenty to build on, with both driver and team showing the speed and execution required to challenge for podiums across the season. Duran and the Spirit of Race squad now turn their attention to Round 2 of the CIGT Endurance Championship, determined to convert this weekend's pace into the silverware the performance deserved.
Race Results - Spirit of Racing #50:
About Rafael Duran
Born to a Spanish mother and an American father, Rafael Duran grew up surrounded by international motorsport culture. He is part of the Ferrari Corsa Clienti and progressed through the Ferrari Driver Academy, competing in the Ferrari Challenge before stepping up to endurance racing in 2024. Rafael is currently active across multiple international GT championships, marking a decisive step toward a professional career in top-tier GT racing.
About Spirit of Race
Spirit of Race is the gentleman-driver programme operated by AF Corse, one of the most successful Ferrari customer teams in international motorsport. With a strong presence across the Italian GT Championship and other premier GT series, Spirit of Race combines AF Corse's technical expertise with a passion for developing driver talent at the highest level of GT competition.
