JEREZ LEAVES THREE DRIVERS IN THE FIGHT FOR THE BMW M2 CUP IBERIA TITLE

The BMW M2 Cup Iberia held the third round of its season at the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto, with a weekend featuring intense racing and battles that went down to the closing stages. Francisca ‘Kika’ Queiroz was one of the standout performers, securing a victory and a second place to keep herself firmly in contention for the trophy ahead of the season finale at Estoril. Diego Sirgado and Bernardo Passanha also impressed, winning the second race and strengthening their title ambitions.

Designed to provide a platform for young drivers to develop their skills, while also offering gentleman drivers an accessible yet demanding racing experience, the BMW M2 Cup Iberia continues to attract international interest. At Jerez, the grid featured Dutch youngster Valentijn Greven, who made his debut in the series at the wheel of Promotion Motorsport’s BMW M2 Racing, experiencing first-hand the high level of competition.

Following the test sessions, which allowed drivers to familiarise themselves with the circuit, qualifying provided the first competitive encounter of the weekend. The FPAK Junior Team youngsters made a particularly strong impression, with Diego Sirgado and Bernardo Passanha, sharing one of the team's BMW M2 Racing cars, securing pole position for the two races.

In the first race, Francisca ‘Kika’ Queiroz moved into the lead following the pit stops, but had to withstand strong pressure from Diego Sirgado and Bernardo Passanha, who demonstrated a highly competitive pace.

The LOB Motorsport driver nevertheless maintained her composure to secure her second victory of the season. Nathan Corbet and Gonçalo Moura, also representing the FPAK Junior Team, finished third, while Valentijn Greven confirmed fourth place.

The second race once again produced an intense battle for the leading positions. Diego Sirgado and Bernardo Passanha converted the pace they had shown throughout the weekend into victory, putting themselves in a very strong position to fight for the trophy at the final round. Francisca ‘Kika’ Queiroz returned to the podium, this time finishing second, while Nathan Corbet and Gonçalo Moura repeated their third-place finish. Valentijn Greven again crossed the line in fourth, confirming his progress over the two races.

Francisca ‘Kika’ Queiroz's performance at Jerez was particularly significant, as she also secured the Spanish Turismos title in the Campeonato de España de Supercars, underlining the excellent competitiveness and reliability of the BMW M2 Racing cars.

Her victory in the first race and second place in the second also kept her firmly in contention for the BMW M2 Cup Iberia trophy, following a season in which she has demonstrated consistent progress. The LOB Motorsport driver believes that the preparation and confidence gained throughout the year were key factors behind her results in Spain.

"It was a very positive weekend! We arrived at Jerez aiming to fight for the top positions and managed to demonstrate a very competitive pace. I think consistency, preparation and the confidence I have been building with the car were the most important factors. I felt very comfortable behind the wheel and managed to stay focused at the decisive moments. These results are also the reward for the work of the entire team, which has given me the right conditions to improve with every race. Winning is always special, but doing so in such a competitive championship makes it even more satisfying," said the young driver.

The young driver has closely followed the BMW M2 Cup Iberia's growing competitiveness and believes that the level of the participants provides an important incentive for individual development. "The level of competition has increased considerably, and that is excellent for all of us. There are more and more quick drivers, the gaps are very small and every detail can make the difference between winning and missing out on the podium. Competing in this environment is very important to me because it forces me to keep improving, set higher standards for myself and get better with every race. I believe this level of competitiveness is precisely what makes the BMW M2 Cup Iberia so interesting and such an excellent platform for driver development."

The 2026 season has already represented an important milestone in Francisca ‘Kika’ Queiroz's career, with her victory in the Turismos category of the Campeonato de España de Supercars at Jerez. It is a particularly special achievement for the driver, who credits the work carried out alongside her team and the people supporting her.

"It was an incredible feeling! Becoming Spanish champion is a very special moment in my career and a reward for all the work, dedication and sacrifices that go into every race. This has been a very special season, with several important achievements. Every title means something different, but they all represent many hours of work, learning and overcoming challenges. It is an achievement I share with my team, my family and everyone who believes in me and supports me. Above all, these results show me that we are on the right track and give me even more motivation to keep improving. I am very happy with everything we have achieved so far, but I feel I still have a great deal to learn and many goals to pursue," emphasised the LOB Motorsport driver.

With the BMW M2 Cup Iberia now preparing for its season finale, the battle for the trophy promises to be one of the main highlights of the final round. Francisca ‘Kika’ Queiroz heads to Estoril with ambition and confidence, fully aware that she will need to perform at her best once again if she is to fight for victory.

"It will be a very interesting finale and certainly a closely contested one. Reaching the final round with a chance to fight for the title is a huge motivation. This has been a fantastic season, including the Campeonato de España de Supercars title. These achievements make me very proud, but also make me even more determined to keep winning. I will go to Estoril feeling confident, but fully aware that nothing is guaranteed. I want to stay focused, make the most of everything I have learnt and fight for the victories. It would be incredible to end the season with another title. I have plenty of ambition and many more goals to achieve. I don't intend to stop here."

The BMW M2 Cup Iberia season finale will take place at the Autódromo do Estoril from 4 to 6 December. The winner of the 2026 trophy will be decided at the Portuguese circuit, bringing to a close a season of growing competitiveness in which three drivers remain in contention heading into the final round.