QUALIFYING HEATS UP AS TITLE CONTENDERS BATTLE FOR POLE

Qualifying at Jerez de la Frontera perfectly reflected the intensity that defines the Supercars Endurance in this final stretch of the season. On a day marked by blistering pace and razor-thin margins, the main title contenders lived up to expectations, securing pole positions in fiercely contested sessions decided by thousandths of a second.

This Spanish round, which also counts towards the Iberian Supercars, Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade, and Supercars España, plays a decisive role in the outcome of all championships. In the case of the Spanish series, the titles will be settled here. And as if the pressure were not enough, Jerez also witnessed a new record fall. Francisco Mora, at the wheel of the Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 from Toyota Gazoo Racing Caetano Portugal, set a blistering lap of 1m49.469s, beating Jan Durán’s previous benchmark of 1m51.388s by almost two seconds — establishing a new outright reference for GT4 cars at the circuit.

GT4 – QUALIFYING 1: MATHIEU MARTINS SETS THE PACE

The opening qualifying session confirmed the strength of the GT4 Pro front-runners, with Mathieu Martins putting the Racar Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 at the top of the timesheets. The young Luso-French driver, who is in direct contention for the Spanish title, clocked 1m49.952s, securing not only pole position for Race 1 but also an important step towards the GT4 Pro crown in Supercars España.

Behind him, César Machado placed the Speedy Motorsport Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 on the front row, just 0.082s adrift, followed by Francisco Abreu, also in a Toyota, resulting in a top three entirely made up of title contenders.

Fourth quickest was Gonzalo de Andrés in the McLaren Artura GT4 of McLaren Barcelona – SMC Motorsport, the fastest among the GT4 Bronze runners, while Luís Tavares, in the Speedy Motorsport Porsche Cayman RS CS and in only his second outing in a GT4, completed the top five.

José Cautela contributed decisively to McLaren Barcelona – SMC Motorsport’s strong performance, placing the Artura GT4 he shares with Lourenço Monteiro in sixth, and topping the GT4 Pro-Bronze division.

The BMW M4 GT4 EVO of BMW España Motorsport, driven by Nerea Martí in the first session, fell short of expectations, finishing only 15th — a result that complicates the duo’s challenge for the GT4 Pro title in Supercars España.

In the GT4 Am battle, Rúben Vaquinhas, in the Gianfranco Motorsport-run Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4, was quickest, edging out Javier Macias, who placed the Promotion Motorsport BMW M4 GT4 EVO in second by just 0.088s.

GT4 – QUALIFYING 2: FRANCISCO MORA STRIKES BACK

In the second session, Francisco Mora underlined his superiority by setting the new GT4 lap record at Jerez with a time of 1m49.469s, a lap that secured pole position and confirmed the pace of the Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO from Toyota Gazoo Racing Caetano Portugal.

Lourenço Monteiro, in the McLaren 570S GT4 of McLaren Barcelona – SMC Motorsport, was second fastest, leading the GT4 Pro-Bronze class and highlighting the impressive competitiveness of the Woking-built machines.

Adrián Ferrer, in the number 4 Toyota from Speedy Motorsport, finished just half a second off the top, consolidating the team’s strong form and keeping his teammate, César Machado, in contention for the crown. Henrique Ventura Oliveira, in the Aston Martin from Racar Motorsport, set the fourth-fastest time, leaving his teammate, Mathieu Martins, well-placed to fight for the Supercars España title. Tomás Guedes, in the number 5 Toyota of Speedy Motorsport, completed the top five in a session where the top seven were covered by just 1.009 seconds.

Álvaro Lobera, like his teammate in the first qualifying session, was the fastest in GT4 Bronze, confirming the strong pace of the McLaren Artura GT4s from McLaren Barcelona – SMC Motorsport on Andalusian soil.

The BMW España Motorsport team continued to struggle, with José de los Milagros managing only 12th, more than a second and a half off pole, further complicating their fight for the Supercars España title.

Once again, in the GT4 Am class, the Gianfranco Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 came out on top, this time driven by Pedro Bastos Rezende, who outpaced the BMW M4 GT4 EVO piloted by Smörg.

GTC/TOURING – QUALIFYING 1: IMPRESSIVE DEBUTS

Himar Acosta made a strong debut in the championship, putting the Chefo Sport Petrogold Ligier JS2 R at the top of the timesheets and claiming the GTX class with a best lap of 1m51.438s. Just behind came another newcomer, André Fernandes, who, at the wheel of the AF & V Motorsport Porsche 911 Cup, secured second overall and pole position in the Cup division, only 0.193s behind the leader.

Without taking unnecessary risks, Rui Miritta, in the Monteiros Competições Porsche 911, recorded the third-fastest time, while Duarte Camelo, in the Speedy Motorsport Porsche Cayman CS, and António Almeida, in the Tockwith Motorsport Ginetta G55, completed the top five.

Reigning Touring Car Champion Daniel Teixeira’s return was less fortunate, as the JT59 Racing Team Hyundai Elantra N suffered brake issues and was unable to complete a competitive lap.

Among the young drivers of the FPAK Junior Team, the Ginetta G40 shared this weekend by Tomás Martins and Tomás Gomes came out on top in this opening session, followed closely by the pairings of Diogo Castro and João Faria, and Martim Romão and Rodrigo Vilaça — all separated by less than a second and a half on their first visit to Jerez.

GTC/TOURING – QUALIFYING 2: FAMILIAR NAMES ON TOP

In the second qualifying session, André Fernandes capped off an excellent Saturday by claiming overall pole with a 1m51.506s lap, once again leading the Cup category and beating Gabriel Caçoilo’s Ligier, the fastest among the GTX cars. Competitiveness remained fierce, with Rui Miritta again in third, ahead of the two Ginetta G55s of British drivers Thomas Roche and Gracie Mitchell, both from Tockwith Motorsport, who completed the top five.

Among the Monteiros Comptições-run FPAK Junior Team Ginetta G40s, it was the car of Diogo Castro and João Faria that set the pace, ahead of the pairings of Tomás Martins and Tomás Gomes, and Martim Romão and Rodrigo Vilaça, in that order. The Spanish trophy for these young drivers will also be decided tomorrow.

A SUNDAY TO DECIDE SUPERCARS ESPAÑA

Sunday at Jerez promises full-on excitement, with four races that could reshape the championship standings and determine the outcome of Supercars España.

The GT4 races will take place at 10:15 and 14:40, while the GTC/Touring cars will hit the track at 09:05 and 13:30. All races will last 50 minutes and can be followed live on  DAZN Spain, DAZN Portugal, and the Race Ready YouTube channel, giving fans the chance to experience every second of what promises to be an unforgettable weekend.