Porsche Sprint Challenge Iberica started with official Warmup in Estoril The historic Portuguese circuit was the stage chosen by P21 Motorsport, Porsche’s official partner in the organization of the Porsche Sprint Challenge Iberica (PSCI), for the start of the season.
A dozen drivers, representing several of the teams that have already confirmed their presence in the championship, took advantage of the opportunity for their first competitive contact, and several showed up at Estoril with new cars, with the 992 GT3 Cup model now prevailing. Several 991.2 and 991.1 models were also on track, as well as the first appearance of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. We remind you that one of the major regulatory changes for the 2025 season was the new alignment of categories that will award the most important titles.
Drivers competing in the Porsche 991.1 and 991.2 GT3 Cup will compete in Category 1, with Category 2 entirely reserved for the Porsche 992 GT3 CUP. These two categories will have 3 different classes, PROAM, AM and GD, with the drivers being ranked here based on their sporting record. Category 3 was created to host the new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Ibérica and is the only category in which there will be no different classes.
Throughout the Warmup, the work carried out by all the drivers and teams present was intense, in front of a large audience that attended the Estoril Circuit and that did not want to miss the opportunity to experience all the emotions in the stands and in the paddock, as P21 Motorsport prepared a program for the spectators that allowed them to be in direct contact with the protagonists, in an important action for the promotion of the championship, which included a hospitality area and the offer of many ‘co-drives’ with some of the drivers present.
In this Warmup, the highlight is the debut of Luís Rocha and Diogo Rocha, the pair of northern pilots who will compete as part of Monteiros Competições, where Vítor Osório Costa will also make his debut. Also in Estoril was the young Spanish Maria Sanchez who had her first contact with the PSCI and could join the squad, as well as the presence of the Brazilian Leandro Martins who could return to the championship. Among the regular drivers, Manuel Alves debuted his new 992 GT3 Cup and saw Borja Garcia and Alejandro Barambio on the track, the two Spanish rivals from GT Corse who are presenting themselves as his rivals in the fight for the top spots. Highlighting the presence of Francisca Queiroz in the LOB Motorsport pits, Alves’ team, which will register the current holder of the Ladies Cup in 2025. Rui Mirita, also one of the defending champions, drove his usual 991.1 GT3 Cup, but could switch to a 991.2 GT3 Cup. Some of the usual drivers were also on the track, such as Alexandre Fonseca, Nuno Inocência and Filipe Nascimento.
At the end of the day, José Monroy, PSCI Series Manager, was “very happy with how this Warmup unfolded. We had excellent participation from drivers and teams. We knew in advance that we wouldn’t have everyone who has already been confirmed for the season, in some cases due to the distance between the circuit and the teams’ headquarters or the drivers’ homes. It was a day of hard work for everyone, which went very well and allowed the teams to gather a lot of information to prepare for the season. On the other hand, the public’s participation exceeded our expectations, and it was an excellent day for activating our sponsors’ brands.” Monroy also emphasize that the 2025 season “has everything to be even more successful than the previous two.
The changes in the regulations, the introduction of new categories and three races per weekend have stimulated interest and we have already confirmed almost two dozen drivers to take part in the entire season, and it is worth noting that we also know that others will take part in some races. In the first stage in Portimão, everything indicates that we will have a strong delegation from the Porsche Cup Brazil that will take advantage of the weekend to compete, get to know the track and gather information that will allow them to be very competitive in the stage they will dispute there for their championship.
Also in the following races, in Spain, we already know that we will have drivers competing punctually. It’s going to be a fantastic season!” The countdown to the first round now begins. From April 25 to 27, the circuit of Autodromo Internacional do Algarve (AIA), in Portimão, will be the stage for the first intense duels of the Porsche Sprint Challenge Iberica 2025.