View Photos of the Maserati GT2 Race Car

maserati gt2 track drive — View Photos of the Maserati GT2 Race CarMaserati

Based off the MC20 and MCXtrema, Maserati's GT2 marks the automaker's return to racing in the Fanatec GT2 European Series. As you might imagine, this one is not homologated for street use.

The GT2's downforce-generating dive planes, three-position adjustable front splitter, and 10-position rear wing force the Pirellis into the tarmac.

The steering is seriously quick with a tremendous amount of feel and feedback. The electronically assisted steering rack even offers five settings of assistance, controlled through a dial on the center console.

For those not interested in traveling to Europe to race, Maserati will deliver a car to the United States for $522,000 to use at track days.

The roof snorkel delivers a steady breeze to the engine and transmission coolers. Within the rear quarters are intercoolers from the production car, mounted a bit more vertically in the GT2.

The front bumper and splitter assembly, louvered hood, engine cover, rear bumper, and diffuser are all easily removed via quick-release latches in case of any on-track incident.

Before being unleashed in the GT2, we strapped in with decorated racer and Maserti reference driver Andrea Bertolini at the wheel for some familiarity laps of Autodromo di Modena's 1.3-mile configuration.

All the controls and buttons of the steering yoke and center console are intuitive and clearly labeled. On the latter, any buttons with related functions live in the same row and are given matching colors. Lights are greens, rain-related controls are blue, and so on.

The engine’s vitals and just about any other sensor's data can be displayed in the Bosch digital instrument cluster.

The heart of the GT2 is the same Nettuno twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that powers the MC20. Maserati claims the engine is about 80 percent the same as the street car, with GT2-specific exhaust manifolds and larger turbos.

With the brakes and Pirelli P Zero race slicks up to temperature, the 15.4-inch iron rotors and six-piston calipers up front and 14.0-inch, four-piston rears really start to show their true capabilities.