Porsche Supercup - Round 1

Round 1 of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup takes place at Circuit de Monaco as the season opener for 2026. This race serves as a support event to the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix and marks the beginning of the series' 34th season. The event runs across four days and features competition on the famous street circuit that winds through Monte Carlo and La Condamine around the harbour of the principality.

Circuit de Monaco

Circuit de Monaco is a street circuit that measures 3.337 kilometers (2.074 miles) in length. The track features 19 turns and presents a significant challenge to drivers due to its narrow width and tight corners. The circuit includes many elevation changes, with a 42-meter variation from the lowest to highest points. Run-off areas are minimal, which places emphasis on driver precision rather than raw power.

The Fairmont Hairpin stands as the slowest corner in Formula 1, with drivers navigating it at approximately 48 km/h (30 mph). In contrast, the tunnel section features a flat-out kink where cars approach at around 260 km/h (160 mph). The tight nature of the circuit makes overtaking extremely difficult. Six weeks are required to transform the public roads into a race-ready circuit, with an additional three weeks needed for dismantling after the event concludes.

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars complete laps at Circuit de Monaco approximately 20 seconds slower than Formula 1 cars. The drivers attack the kerbs aggressively, which creates memorable moments throughout the race. The circuit presents 15 braking zones per lap and is classified as medium-demanding for brake usage. Turn 10, the chicane after the tunnel, represents the most challenging braking point where cars experience extreme deceleration.

The Competition

The 2026 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season comprises eight races across seven weekends, all held alongside European Formula 1 rounds. The Monaco event is exclusive to permanent Supercup teams and drivers, with guest drivers typically not permitted to compete at this venue. The series features several classifications including Overall, ProAm, Team, and Rookie categories.

The ProAm classification is available for drivers aged 35 or older who do not have a professional racing background. The Rookie classification is for drivers aged 25 or younger. Each classification brings different levels of competition and strategy to the racing weekend.

Teams and Drivers for 2026

BWT Lechner Racing fields Robert de Haan from the Netherlands, Marcus Amand from Finland, and Caleb Sumich from Australia. Schumacher CLRT enters Flynt Schuring from the Netherlands and Chester Kieffer from Luxembourg. Martinet by Alméras brings Theo Oeverhaus from Germany and Jaap van Lagen from the Netherlands. Team GP Elite runs Sam Shahin from Australia, Gustav Burton from the United Kingdom, and Matheus Ferreira from Brazil.

Additional teams and drivers continue to be announced as the season approaches. The diverse international lineup represents the global appeal of the porsche-supercup series.

Technical Specifications

The 2026 season introduces the new Porsche 911 Cup (992.2) race car. A water-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine with 3,996 cm3 displacement powers the vehicle, producing approximately 382 kW (520 hp). The car features a Porsche six-speed sequential dog-type transmission and weighs approximately 1,288 kg with rear-wheel drive configuration.

All cars must adhere strictly to the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup 2026 regulations published by Porsche AG before each season. These race cars are not road-legal and are built specifically for competition purposes.

History and Heritage

The Porsche Supercup has raced at Circuit de Monaco since 1993, creating a long-standing tradition between the series and this venue. The circuit itself hosted its inaugural race in 1929 and was part of the very first Formula One World Championship in 1950. The venue has produced many challenging races with unpredictable outcomes throughout its history.

The Monaco Grand Prix forms one-third of the Triple Crown of Motorsport, alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The circuit is the shortest on the Formula 1 calendar and maintains a layout very similar to its original 1929 configuration. Larry ten Voorde holds the distinction of being the only driver to win the Monaco race three times in Supercup competition.

Fans at Circuit de Monaco can position themselves exceptionally close to the racing action, which contributes to the unique atmosphere of the event. The 1996 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix holds the record for the fewest finishers in F1 history, with only three cars completing the race, demonstrating the demanding nature of this circuit.

Round 1 of the porsche-supercup at Circuit de Monaco promises intense competition as teams and drivers begin their championship campaigns on one of the most demanding circuits in motorsport. The combination of the new Porsche 911 Cup car and the challenging street circuit creates compelling racing conditions for fans following the series.