The recent round at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve crowned champions in both the Iberian Supercars and Supercars Jarama RACE series. However, there was much more to talk about in the paddock.
Set Their Sights on 2025
While the season isn't over yet—with the final round of the Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade (CPV) still to come at the Estoril Circuit—teams and drivers are already reflecting on their progress and planning for 2025, with several debuts seen in the Algarve.
Gonçalo Fernandes was a pleasant surprise alongside Francisco Mora, helping the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 team from Veloso Motorsport secure two second-place finishes at the Portimão circuit. The former Junior Portuguese Rally Champion is set to be a valuable asset in the driver market during the off-season.
Bailey Voisin, an Aston Martin driver competing in the LMP3 class of the European Le Mans Series this year, strengthened Araújo Competição in the absence of Gonçalo Araújo, teaming up with Bruno Pereira in the team’s Aston Martin Vantage GT4. The British driver demonstrated solid pace, remarking on the high calibre of competitors in this well-organised championship.
Lourenço Monteiro, a former FPAK Junior Team driver and nephew of former F1 driver Tiago Monteiro, teamed up once again with Spanish youngster Álvaro Gutierrez in one of McLaren Barcelona – SMC Motorsport's McLaren 570S GT4 cars, while Salvador Tineo from Team VRT shared his usual Mercedes AMG GT4 with series newcomer Jeremie Lesoudier, who sought his first taste of Iberian competition.
For the first time this year, the Spanish team fielded a second Stuttgart-made car with British duo Nigel Greensall and Harry Barton at the wheel. Both showed strong competitiveness and were impressed by the high standards they encountered in Iberian Supercars.
Portuguese Bronze driver Bruno Pires also had a new teammate, Mark Kastelic, who demonstrated a competitive level. The 17-year-old Slovenian, currently competing in GT4 Italia, has strong prospects of stepping up in 2025 to race in Iberian Supercars.
The Return of JC Group Racing Team
Following a brief hiatus, the JC Group Racing Team returned to the Iberian Supercars grid with full force, fielding a Mercedes AMG GT4 for Gabriela Correia and a shared Cupra TCR for daughter and father Beatriz Correia and José Correia.
Hillclimb race winner Gabriela, piloting the AMG GT4, faced challenges in the Algarve due to technical issues that affected her pace and qualifying results, although she managed to find better form in Sunday’s second race. The Cupra TCR duo, marking their first appearance in Iberian Supercars this year, performed well, achieving two second-place finishes in the overall Touring Car class.
JC Group Racing Team is expected to compete with two cars once again in the Estoril round, which will bring the season to a close.
New Entry with 2025 Ambitions
In the GTX division, the new entry was the Porsche Cayman GT4 CS run by Speedy Motorsport, driven by Pompeu Simões and Duarte Camelo, a former FPAK Junior Team member.
The pair made their division debut, and for Simões, it was an inaugural experience in the championship. The Portuguese duo showed competitiveness from the outset, battling for podium positions and showcasing potential for the future. After securing two second-place finishes in the Algarve, they are now gearing up for the Estoril round with a view towards 2025.
Simon Moore Wins Title Despite Struggle
Simon Moore had a challenging weekend at Portimão but managed to clinch the GTX titles in both Iberian Supercars and Supercars Jarama RACE.
The British driver, who partners with Tomás Pinto Abreu in a Ginetta G50 fielded by Tockwith Motorsports, was involved in a road car accident the week before the event, casting doubt on his participation.
However, determined to pursue the two titles, Moore persevered through the weekend despite pain and discomfort, particularly during the races. His efforts paid off, and with a fifth and fourth place, he secured the GTX division title in both championships alongside his Portuguese teammate.
All Eyes on Estoril CPV Season Showdown
As the Iberian Supercars and Supercars Jarama RACE seasons draw to a close, the CPV’s season finale approaches with all titles still up for grabs—except in the TCR division, where Daniel Teixeira is the virtual winner. This sets the stage for an action-packed weekend.
While this Portuguese-only event won’t feature the forty-car grid seen regularly in the bustling Iberian series, a starting lineup of over twenty-five cars is anticipated, promising an exciting conclusion to the Portuguese national season. The CPV round, set for the historic Portuguese circuit on 30 November and 1 December, is expected to draw a large crowd and offer various activities in the paddock.
The Estoril Endurance Festival programme will also include the 250 km of Estoril, the season finale of the Iberian Historic Endurance, alongside races in the Single Seater Series, Carrera Los 80, and the 2 Hours of Group 1 Portugal and Troféu Mini.
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