Kornelia Olkucka shows promising pace on GT debut at Vallelunga despite misfortune
- RACERS
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Kornelia Olkucka showcased strong pace and podium potential on her GT4 debut in the GTC Endurance Challenge at Vallelunga, but contact from a competitor ultimately denied her a deserved result.
Kornelia Olkucka made her debut in GT racing during the opening round of the GTC Endurance Challenge at Vallelunga, Italy, marking the transition from single-seaters to GT machinery. The 22-year-old Polish driver stepped up from Formula 4 to compete behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT4 run by LEMA Racing, immediately demonstrating strong pace despite a challenging and ultimately unlucky weekend.
Olkucka entered the Vallelunga round facing a completely new environment: not only adapting to a heavier, more complex GT car, but also tackling a demanding endurance format. Uniquely among the drivers on the grid, she competed solo without a co-driver, meaning she had to complete both 55-minute race segments on her own, in an additional physical and strategic challenge, especially in high temperatures.
After steady progress through practice, where Olkucka improved her lap times consistently, Kornelia qualified ninth and eleventh overall in the two sessions, placing her in a competitive position and setting the stage for a potential class podium result. Notably, she was also the only female driver in the field.
Starting her first-ever GT race from 15th overall and seventh in class, Olkucka made an immediate impression. A strong launch saw her gain positions early, climbing to 13th overall and fifth in class within the opening laps. Settling into a consistent rhythm, she began to close in on the cars ahead, showcasing competitive pace with a best lap of 1:42.960.
As the race unfolded, Olkucka continued her charge, gaining another position when a rival dropped down the order and putting herself in contention for a class podium. A Safety Car period just before the pit window meant that everyone pitted under caution, with Olkucka remaining in the car during the stops as a solo driver.
At the restart, she remained within striking distance of the podium positions, actively chasing the #65 car ahead. With just minutes remaining, however, her race took a dramatic turn when contact from a rival pushed her off track, costing her multiple positions and effectively ending her podium hopes. Although she managed to rejoin, the lost ground proved impossible to recover in the closing stages.
The misfortune from Saturday carried into Sunday’s second race. Despite her determination to bounce back, Olkucka was forced to retire due to a technical issue, likely a consequence of the earlier contact, which prevented her from continuing her fight for positions.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Olkucka’s debut weekend provided clear evidence of her potential in GT racing.
"This race weekend was emotionally difficult for me due to the bad luck I had with a contact on the track. And although I missed out on a podium finish, as Saturday's pace promised a really good result in Vallelunga, I'm glad I had the opportunity to prove what I'm capable of in a new racing series this season", Kornelia emphasized. "I not only showed that I'm fast, but also resistant, competing on my own ​​in a nearly hour-long race in high temperatures," she continued.
Reflecting on the transition from single-seaters, she highlighted the technical and strategic differences of GT racing:
"Moving to GT changes the entire driving experience"; she explained. "In Formula 4, everything happens in a flash – you make split-second decisions, and the car reacts instantly and with great precision. In GT, you have to learn patience – the car is heavier, movements have to be much more deliberate and less abrupt, and every maneuver has to be planned in advance."
"Given the long distances and time spent on the track, strategy is also crucial in GT: you manage the race more than just attack. It's a completely different challenge, but one that's developing me as a driver."
While the results did not fully reflect her performance, Olkucka leaves Vallelunga with valuable experience and clear signs of potential in the new category. Before returning to competition, Olkucka is set to appear as a special guest at the Poznań Motor Show, where she will showcase her 2026 program with the Mercedes-AMG GT4.