+ All three drivers’ titles on the line across the final two races of 2026
+ Elite steals the Silver advantage, can Schnitzelalm fight back?
+ Schubert still on top in Pro-Am despite Team Speedcar resurgence
+ Huge GT World finale will boast both Max Verstappen and Valentino Rossi
+ Provisional entry list, Portimão
All three GT4 European Series titles will go to the wire in what promises to be a thrilling seasonal showdown at Portimão next weekend (October 16-18).
With the title fights finely balanced ahead of the final two races of the year, the series’ first visit to the Autodromo do Algarve comes at a crucial time. The less familiar Portuguese track should shake things up, with teams and drivers having to learn the 4.6km layout quickly. While this will be Portimão’s first appearance on the GT4 European Series calendar, the track did feature in the old GT4 European Cup, making its last appearance back in 2010, and last hosted a season finale in 2009.
The trip to the Algarve promises to be a huge event, with Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen confirming his participation in the GT World Endurance Cup finale, where the four-time world champion will go head-to-head with nine-time motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi. In support of this, the GT4 European Series will join forces with the GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli and McLaren Trophy Europe to create an event packed with action.
A SHOW OF STARS
GT World events this year have not lacked in star appeal, and Portimão will take this a step further thanks to Verstappen’s high-profile cameo aboard his #3 Team Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3.
He is the latest Formula 1 ace to try his hand at the world’s biggest GT3 championship, with Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll also featuring at the opening round at Circuit Paul Ricard back in April. Verstappen joins a huge 61-car field and a paddock full of talent, and his appearance alongside MotoGP megastar Rossi will make for a real treat for the fans.
GT World will put on a host of fan activations across the weekend, with open paddocks plus pit and grid walks allowing people to get up close to the stars and their cars. The Fan Zone will again prove the centre of attention, featuring multiple food and drink options, merchandise stands, the live GT World DJ and a big screen showing all of the on-track action.
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ELITE GRABS THE ADVANTAGE
Elite Motorsport’s Charlie Hart and McKenzy Cresswell became the first drivers to knock Enrico Förderer and Cedric Fuchs off the top of the Silver points table after a stellar last event for the McLaren pair at Zandvoort.
Two wins and a near maximum score – they only missed out on a single bonus point for pole – catapulted Hart and Cresswell into a 16-point lead. The pair have now won three of the last four races and finished no lower than second in five of the last six, meaning they have title-winning momentum heading to the finale.
In contrast the second half of the year has been a struggle for SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm drivers Förderer and Fuchs, who have racked up just nine points in total from the last four races. Portimão could change that though as the drivers are familiar with the circuit having both raced there in the GT4 Winter Series earlier in the year.
Of the other contenders, Gabriele Piana and Thomas Rackl have kept the top two honest in the #12 Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport BMW. Twice winners this year, a third podium of the year at Zandvoort keeps them third in the standings, 22pts down on Elite and the last of the leading challengers.
Technically, seven crews can still take the Silver crown, but most need a miracle to do so. Sam Paley sits fourth in the TeamFloral Ford Mustang, while reigning champions Robert Consani and Benjamin Lariche have turned their disappointing season around with consistent scores lately, but with 47pts to make up they must hope for major drama. Likewise, Gregory Guilvert and Paul Petit’s sister Team Speedcar Audi has been rapid but unlucky, while Speedy Motorsport’s Lachlan Evennett and Mees Houben are the last pair mathematically capable of stealing the title.
CAN TEAM SPEEDCAR TURN THE TABLES?
Not so long ago the Pro-Am fight looked finished in favour of Schubert Motorsport’s Joakim Walde and Victor Bouveng, but a clean sweep for Viny Beltramelli and Sacha Bottemanne in the Netherlands has closed things up dramatically.
The Team Speedcar duo became the first crew in the class to achieve a perfect score, with their Zandvoort double taking their total to four wins for the season and hacking a chunk of points from Schubert’s lead. In contrast, Walde and Bouveng have won just twice but their greater consistency means they still lead by 30pts in what has become a two-horse race for the title.
Charlie Robertson and Ravi Ramyead’s hopes may have ended at Zandvoort, but the Elite McLaren pair enjoyed their strongest event yet last time out and could disrupt the top two. Razoon – more than racing’s BMW shared by Chris Salkeld and Daniel Drexel will also be one to watch, having won twice this year. There are also new entries from local teams Racar Motorsport, Sports & You and Gianfranco Motorsport.
Daniel Blickle stands on the brink of becoming solo Am champion, with the W&S Motorsport Porsche driver leading his own team-mate Max Kronberg by 36pts after Kronberg missed the season opener in France. In reality, Blickle’s only challenger is the Gazoo Racing Sweden Supra of Mikael and Christoffer Brunnhagen, which runs 46pts behind.
