Round 3

Round 3 of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup takes place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. This race serves as a support event to the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix. The Porsche Supercup stands as the premier one-make racing series supporting Formula 1, featuring identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars in close competition.

Red Bull Ring Circuit

The Red Bull Ring measures 4.318 kilometers (2.683 miles) and includes 10 turns. The circuit features significant elevation changes across the Styrian hills. Long straights and heavy braking zones define the track layout. Teams typically opt for low downforce setups to maximize speed on the straights.

The circuit opened in 1969 as the Österreichring. After hosting Formula 1 from 1970 to 1987, it was rebuilt and shortened to become the A1-Ring from 1997 to 2003. Red Bull funded extensive renovations, and the track reopened as the Red Bull Ring in 2011. Formula 1 returned in 2014. The first turn bears the name "Niki Lauda Turn" in honor of the three-time Formula One World Champion.

The Red Bull Ring has the fewest corners of any Formula 1 circuit, which contributes to its high-speed character. The track has hosted Porsche Supercup races since 1997 under various names.

The New Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

The 2026 season introduces the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992.2). This car is based on the 992.2 generation of the Porsche 911 road car.

Engine and Performance

A water-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine powers the car. The 4.0-liter engine produces approximately 520 bhp (388 kW). This represents a slight increase from the previous 992 model. The engine sits at the rear of the car.

Chassis and Body

An aluminum-steel composite forms the lightweight body. A welded-in roll-cage provides driver protection. The wider body derives from the Porsche 911 Turbo. The car weighs approximately 1260 kg dry.

Aerodynamics

An adjustable spoiler lip at the front allows teams to tune the setup. The rear wing uses "swan-neck" mounting and offers eleven adjustment positions. These elements help teams optimize downforce for different circuits.

Transmission and Drivetrain

A Porsche six-speed sequential dog-type gearbox transmits power to the rear wheels. Paddle shifters control gear changes through an electronic shift barrel actuator. A mechanical limited-slip differential and three-plate sintered metal racing clutch complete the drivetrain.

Technology and Sustainability

A fully digital cockpit provides drivers with race data. The car features a computer-aided safety cell. The racing exhaust system includes a DMSB certified catalytic converter. All Supercup cars run on e-fuel derived from the Haru Oni project in Chile. Michelin supplies slick tires for the series, with 30/65-18 front tires and 31/71-18 rear tires.

Teams and Competitors

The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup attracts top drivers and teams from various national and regional Carrera Cups. The series typically features 24 to 32 identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars on the grid.

Expected teams for 2026 include BWT Lechner Racing, Schumacher CLRT, Martinet by Alméras, and Team GP Elite. Drivers Robert de Haan, Marcus Amand, Flynt Schuring, Theo Oeverhaus, and Sam Shahin are among those provisionally entered. The series is known for extremely close racing, with qualifying sessions often showing multiple drivers within one second of each other.

Supercup History and Organization

The Porsche Supercup began in 1993 as a support series for the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Porsche Motorsport GmbH organizes the championship and provides complete factory support. This includes technical assistance, spare parts, and driver coaching. Porsche distributes approximately €700,000 in prize money each season.

The 2026 season features eight races across seven race weekends. Red Bull Ring hosts Round 3 of the championship. The agreement for the Supercup to remain a Formula 1 support series extends until at least 2030.

Past winners at the Red Bull Ring include Matt Campbell and Larry ten Voorde. The circuit has become a regular fixture on the Supercup calendar, providing close racing on its fast layout.

The new generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car makes its debut in 2026, offering teams and drivers a fresh platform for competition. The Red Bull Ring's combination of long straights and technical sections provides an excellent test for these purpose-built racing machines. Each weekend includes practice sessions, qualifying, and a single sprint race, where drivers compete for championship points and prize money.