July 21, 2026
LE CASTELLET, FRANCE
Rafael Duran returned to International GT Open action this weekend at Round 5 of the championship, taking on a sun-drenched Circuit Paul Ricard alongside AF Corse teammate David Perel in the #51 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo. In blistering summer conditions that pushed drivers, tyres and machinery to the limit, the #51 crew brought both cars home in the points across the two-race weekend.
The famed French circuit delivered every bit of the physical challenge it is known for, with heat radiating off the surface and cockpit temperatures turning every stint into a genuine test of endurance. From the opening practice sessions through qualifying, Duran and Perel worked closely on car balance and tyre management, knowing that consistency and execution would be as important as outright pace in the punishing conditions.
Race 1 on Saturday saw the #51 Ferrari deliver a clean afternoon's work. Duran and Perel navigated the traffic and heat to bring the car home in P6 - a solid points haul that reflected steady pace across the stints and a well-executed driver change under pressure.
Race 2 on Sunday proved a tougher afternoon for the AF Corse pairing. Despite competitive pace at times through the field, a series of small factors combined to leave the #51 crossing the line in P9, adding another points finish to the weekend's tally but well below where the crew felt the car had been capable of running.
"Paul Ricard was quite a fun sauna," said Duran. "A big thank you to AF Corse and my teammate David for all the hard work and support throughout the weekend. We'll take the positives, keep working and come back stronger for the next round."
With two race finishes in the points and valuable data banked from a demanding weekend, Duran and the AF Corse crew now turn their focus to the next round of the International GT Open, determined to convert the weekend's positives into a return to the front of the field.
Race Results - AF Corse #51:
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 AF Corse
AF Corse is one of the most successful Ferrari customer teams in international GT racing. Based in Italy, the squad has built a reputation for technical excellence and a winning culture across endurance and sprint disciplines, fielding a fleet of Ferrari 296 GT3 Evos across the world's leading GT championships in 2026.
