The Porsche Sprint Challenge Ibérica kicked off its 2026 season at the Circuito de Monteblanco, in Huelva, with a highly competitive weekend marked by a balanced fight at the front of the field and a particularly demanding sporting programme for drivers and teams.
In this opening round, 21 drivers representing 7 teams took to the track, coming from 6 nationalities across 2 continents — figures that reflect the growing international dimension of the championship and the diversity of competitive profiles on the grid. The competitive programme put consistency and adaptability to the test. Saturday was fully dedicated to free practice and qualifying sessions, while Sunday featured an extremely demanding format, with four Sprint races (20 minutes + 1 lap) held within a six-hour window, creating a true physical, technical and strategic challenge. On track, the main highlight was the perfect balance in the fight for victories. José Barros (AF Motorsport) and Borja García (GT Corse) shared the wins, with two victories each, immediately positioning themselves as leading contenders for the Category 2 title.
In Race 1, Borja García claimed victory ahead of Miguel Lobo (RGB Racing Team) and José Barros, who delivered a remarkable recovery after dropping to last place on the opening lap following a spin. In Category 1, María Sánchez Iglesias (AF Motorsport) took the win, finishing eighth overall. In Race 2, held late in the morning, José Barros responded with an overall victory, ahead of Alejandro Barambio (GT Corse) and Álvaro Bajo (GT Corse), with the two teammates engaging in an intense battle throughout much of the race.
In Category 1, João Macedo Silva (AF Motorsport) claimed victory, finishing eighth overall. In Race 3, Borja García returned to the top step of the podium, ahead of José Barros and Miguel Lobo. In Category 1, María Sánchez Iglesias claimed another victory, once again finishing eighth overall. In Race 4, José Barros closed the weekend with another strong victory, ahead of Alejandro Barambio and Álvaro Bajo. João Macedo Silva secured another Category 1 victory, this time finishing sixth overall. Beyond the fight for overall wins, the weekend was marked by intense battles throughout the field, particularly in the midfield, where margins were often minimal.
The fights in the Silver, Bronze and GD classes played a key role in the overall spectacle, with growing competitiveness of several rookies, including portuguese-american driver Mário Reyford Ferreira, who secured a Top 10 finish in Race 4 in his first full season.
The Ladies Cup also delivered a balanced contest, with Francisca “Kika” Queiroz and Chloe Grant sharing the wins, highlighting the increasing competitiveness of the female field. Finnish driver Flame Airikkala was the unluckiest driver of the weekend, losing a potential victory in Race 1 just before the finish. From a disciplinary perspective, penalties applied over the weekend, mainly for track limits, did not affect the leading positions in any of the races.
Off track, a strong crowd attended the event, with significant interaction in the paddock, allowing close contact with drivers, teams and cars, enhancing the overall experience provided by the Porsche Sprint Challenge Ibérica.
According to José Monroy, Series Manager of the Porsche Sprint Challenge Ibérica: “This opening weekend showed exactly what we aim for in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Ibérica: a balanced, competitive and international grid. We had very intense races, with battles across all areas, not only for victory but also within the classes and the Ladies Cup. The demanding format truly tested drivers and teams, resulting in a high-level spectacle. It is an excellent starting point for what promises to be a very competitive season.”
With a season start marked by competitive balance, international diversity and strong fan engagement, the 2026 Porsche Sprint Challenge Ibérica season begins with very positive indicators and promises an intense and unpredictable championship. The next round will take place at the Estoril Circuit on May 8th, 9th and 10th.