Porsche Supercup - Round 3

The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Round 3 took place at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmeló, Spain. This race served as a support event for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix. Alessandro Ghiretti claimed victory in this 15-lap contest, marking his first win of the 2025 season while driving for Schumacher CLRT. Flynt Schuring secured pole position and also took the Rookie classification win. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya returned to the Porsche Supercup calendar in 2025 for the first time since 2020.

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Overview

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is located 25 km north of Barcelona in Montmeló, Catalonia. The circuit opened on September 10, 1991, and has maintained FIA Grade 1 status. The track measures 4.657 km in length and features 16 corners, comprising 9 right-hand turns and 7 left-hand turns. The layout combines high-speed straights with technical corner sequences, creating a comprehensive test for drivers and teams.

The circuit accommodates around 140,700 spectators across its facilities. Popular overtaking opportunities exist at Turns 1-2, Turn 4, Turn 5, Turn 10, and Turn 14. Turn 1, known as Elf, provides the primary overtaking zone due to the long straight leading into it. The track underwent modifications in 2021 when the La Caixa bend was redesigned as a sweeper, with additional safety improvements made in 2023 to the final two turns.

Porsche Supercup Series Technical Details

The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup uses identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars based on the Type 992 chassis. Only cars from model years 2021 through 2025 are permitted to compete. All vehicles must comply with technical, sporting, and environmental regulations approved by the DMSB and FIA for the 2025 season.

Car Specifications

Each Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car features a 3.8-liter flat-six engine. The series maintains strict technical parity through regulations covering minimum weight requirements, specified tire and rim sizes, fuel standards, and braking systems. All cars must include fire extinguisher systems and meet comprehensive safety requirements. The technical equality ensures competition focuses on driver skill and team strategy.

Race Format and Classification

The Porsche Supercup competition includes multiple championship classifications. Teams and drivers compete in Overall, ProAm, Team, and Rookie categories. Rookie drivers must be 25 years of age or younger to qualify for the Rookie's Championship. Approximately 24 race cars typically participate in each round.

Teams competing in Round 3 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya included Schumacher CLRT, BWT Lechner Racing, Team GP Elite, Martinet by Alméras, Target Competition, and Proton Huber Competition. The race covered 15 laps of the Spanish circuit, totaling nearly 70 kilometers of racing.

Circuit History in Motorsport

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hosted its first Spanish Grand Prix in 1991, the same year it opened. The facility quickly became a popular venue for off-season testing due to its variety of corner types and favorable weather conditions. The track serves as a development tool for teams and drivers across multiple racing series.

The Porsche Supercup has a long association with the circuit, having raced there during 1993-1995, 1999-2011, 2013-2020, and returning in 2025. The series itself began in 1993 as a support series for the FIA Formula One World Championship. Prior to 1993, the championship was known as the Porsche Carrera Cup.

International Competition Platform

The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup serves as a development series for drivers pursuing careers in international motorsport. The series travels to premier racing venues across Europe, providing drivers with experience at circuits that host major racing events. The competitive environment and technical regulations create opportunities for emerging talent to demonstrate their abilities.

Round 3 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya showcased the international nature of the series. Multiple teams and drivers from different countries participated in the event. The combination of identical cars and high-level competition creates close racing throughout the field.

What Makes This Round Notable

The 2025 race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya marked the circuit's return to the Porsche Supercup schedule after a five-year absence. Alessandro Ghiretti's victory provided his first win of the season and demonstrated the competitive balance within the series. Flynt Schuring's pole position and Rookie class victory highlighted the opportunities available for younger drivers in the championship.

The Spanish circuit offers a unique challenge within the Porsche Supercup season. Its combination of high-speed sections and technical corners requires balanced car setup and precise driving. The track's status as a testing venue means many teams and drivers have extensive data about the circuit, making small performance differences crucial to race results.