Most drivers would relish the opportunity to race a Ferrari at Monza – particularly if they were given the chance to pilot the brand’s Pro car, run by global heavyweight AF Corse. Sean Gelael will do exactly that on Sunday afternoon when the GT World Challenge powered by AWS Endurance Cup resumes at Monza.
The Indonesian is part of the #50 AF Corse line-up, sharing a Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO with Arthur Leclerc and Lilou Wadoux. As Geael explains, the foundations for this were laid at his friend Antonio Giovinazzi's wedding.
"Giovinazzi has been in a part of the Ferrari family for a long time and I've been close to him for basically my whole career. At his wedding, Antonello Coletta [Ferrari's global head of endurance racing] and a lot of the Ferrari guys were there, so we just started talking.
“It took a year for us to put something together and now, in 2026, I have the chance to race with this historic brand. It's a huge honour to drive for them."
Gelael has already run several races aboard the 296, including the GT World Challenge season opener at Circuit Paul Ricard. However, this weekend will be extra special as he gets his first chance to represent the Maranello brand in front of the Tifosi.
"Being in a Pro car with Ferrari, having that opportunity to do well, it gives you a bit of extra motivation. It's like everyone is rooting for you, which is a nice feeling," he says.
"Monza is a very historic track. I think in every sport you have to respect those who paved the way and it's super cool that almost all European tracks have a lot of history. In GT World Challenge, we race at some beautiful circuits – like Monza, Spa, and so on – which also give us good racing."
The combination of Gelael, Leclerc and Wadoux represents a different approach for the #50 Ferrari, which has generally featured long-time factory drivers. This is a crew with an eye on the future, as all three look to prove their credentials at the highest level of GT racing
"I wouldn't say we're underdogs, but we're definitely fresh faces at Ferrari," says Gelael. "Compared to the guys in the #51 car [Alessio Rovera, Nicklas Nielsen and Tommaso Mosca] we're younger and less experienced, but I think this gives us a different perspective.
"My teammates bring professionalism and they're also very hungry. Arthur recently won at Brands Hatch [in the Sprint Cup] so he's proven himself. He's been in the Ferrari family for a while now but he's still young and very motivated. He's got a fresh insight into things that we don't always see.
"And then Lilou, she's super talented. She's smiling all the time but she's also very professional and very focused. It's just cool to be there with them, to learn and to develop together."
This season is Gelael's first in a Pro car. Last year he drove a BMW M4 GT3 EVO, representing Paradine Competition in the Bronze Cup class (below). He also pilots the M4 in the FIA World Endurance Championship, which means jumping between two fundamentally different machines.
"They're total opposites! The BMW has a very high centre of gravity and it's heavier; not technically heavier, but in terms of weight distribution. In the BMW you really need to focus on the corner exit and stopping power, while the Ferrari you need to carry the minimum speeds; that's where you gain time. Thankfully, the team does a good job of helping me to adjust.”
While the transition is not simple, Gelael has the benefit of extensive single-seater experience, including a long stint in Formula 2 and several Formula 1 test outings. With GT3 cars becoming increasingly sophisticated, he has turned this to his advantage.
"Coming from single-seaters, you're used to high speeds. Modern GT3 cars have high downforce, so you have more trust in the car for high-speed corners, you're more confident in carrying the speed. A high downforce car, it's very stiff; small inputs don't really change a lot compared to a heavier car. That's why somehow like Max Verstappen loves it. I think it helps him to drive a Formula 1 car even better, because you develop that sensitivity."
Monza represents the second round of the Endurance Cup campaign. As such Gelael is still early in his relationship with Ferrari, but ahead of his first race on Italian soil he is already hoping to build something substantial with the Prancing Horse.
“I'm in a happy place and I'd like to continue the collaboration with Ferrari. It's such a big brand. We're starting out with GT World Challenge Endurance, so it's a single programme, but if we can continue then I'd like to make it into something bigger."
Gelael is one of the few Indonesian drivers to make a mark on the international stage. He is proud to represent his country, and recently had a chance to race on home soil when he drove a Ferrari in the GT World Challenge Asia round at Mandalika.
"Indonesia is a very big country – it's 290 million people – and racing is growing. We’ve had Rio [Haryanto] and myself, and to represent Indonesia on the big stage has always been an honour. Hopefully I will have the chance to achieve even more and to inspire the younger generation; not just to become drivers, but to join the motorsport industry as engineers, mechanics, journalists – to create an even bigger racing community.
"GT World Challenge Asia was actually my first international race at home. In Italy, for example, there are many drivers who are racing in their home country; or with Ferrari, we see how important Monza is for them. To be able to do this in Indonesia was amazing. I think the fans enjoyed it a lot. The turnout was great and the racing was superb.
"For me, it was nice to be able to take pole and then get a podium. Obviously, I would like to have won, but I was very happy. It was great for my sponsors because they've always wanted me to race at home. They come to some races in Europe, but it's more difficult for them to bring a lot of people and show them what GT3 cars are really like. That was great and hopefully it can help to build Indonesia's racing community.”
From a race on home soil, this weekend he’ll feel the adoration of the Tifosi for the first time. It promises to be a very special experience.