The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve season-finale will be the decisive round for the Iberian Supercars this weekend, with a few favourites emerging and much uncertainty surrounding the numerous titles yet to be decided.
This Algarve event marks the final round of the most important Iberian championship, and with 54 points still up for grabs, much remains unresolved in nearly all categories and divisions.
In the GT4 class, where all cars homologated for the category compete, César Machado and Jan Durán currently lead the standings and are favourites to succeed José Carlos Pires and Francisco Abreu. However, they cannot take the title for granted just yet.
The Speedy Motorsport Toyota GR Supra GT4 duo have secured two victories this season, but it’s their consistent results in non-winning races that give them a 40-point lead over Nerea Martí and José de los Milagros (BMW España Motorsport M4 GT4) and a 42-point margin over Manuel Gião and Mathieu Martins (Racar Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4).
While the Iberian pair are favourites, they can afford to take a more defensive approach. However, any misfortune could complicate matters, as we’ve already seen surprising outcomes this season...
Patrick Cunha and Jorge Rodrigues (Veloso Motorsport Audi R8 LMS GT4), Guillermo Aso and Filip Vava (NM Racing Team Mercedes AMG GT4), Francisco Cruz and Roberto Faria (Racar Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4), and Carlos Vieira (Toyota Gazoo Racing Caetano Portugal Toyota GR Supra GT4) are still in contention for a spot on the championship podium.
In the GT4 Pro division, for driver pairs featuring one Bronze-rated and one Silver or Gold-rated driver, the key contenders are the same, and the situation is very similar. However, the Speedy Motorsport duo’s position is slightly less comfortable.
César Machado and Jan Durán have a 37-point lead over Nerea Martí and José de los Milagros, while Manuel Gião and Mathieu Martins are 39 points behind, leaving the Toyota pair with a bit of breathing room.
The list of potential podium finishers is longer, with Guillermo Aso and Filip Vava, Francisco Cruz and Roberto Faria, Salvador Tíneo (Team VRT Mercedes AMG GT4), and Carlos Vieira and Francisco Mora (Veloso Motorsport Porsche 718 Cayman GT4) all in contention.
In the GT4 Bronze division, contested by experienced Bronze-rated driver pairs, the Valencia weekend allowed Patrick Cunha and Jorge Rodrigues to pull ahead of Nil Montserrat and Alberto de Martín, continuing the season-long battle between these two pairs.
The Audi R8 LM GT4 duo from Veloso Motorsport head to the Portimão round with a 25-point advantage over their Mercedes AMG GT4 rivals from NM Racing Team, giving them some comfort, though they cannot afford to relax entirely.
The Mirage Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT4 series newcomer Stepan Suslov, is an outsider in the title race, sitting 40 points behind the leaders. Nevertheless, his debut season in motorsport has been highly promising, with a victory to his name.
The fight for a top-three finish also includes Héctor Hernández and Borja Hormigos (Autoworks Motorsport BMW M4 GT4), Luís Calheiros and Paulo Macedo (Lema Racing Mercedes AMG GT4), and Luís Pedro Liberal (Speedy Motorsport Toyota GR Supra GT4).
Keith Gatehouse and Igor Sorokin lead the GT4 Am division, reserved for less experienced Bronze-rated drivers, but André Nabais and Miguel Nabais are not far behind, trailing by just 23 points.
The Mercedes AMG GT4 pair from NM Racing Team are favourites, but the Nabais brothers, driving a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 for Speedy Motorsport, have shown strong pace. Only their lack of consistency has kept them from taking the lead. Should they achieve solid results without setbacks, they could be the surprise of the Algarve round.
Javier Macias and Smörg also have a mathematical chance of securing the title, but for the BMW M4 GT4 pair from Promotion Motorsport to win the GT4 Am crown, both leading teams would need to face significant misfortune.
Estoril Race 2 GT4 overall winners Pedro Bastos Rezende and Ruben Vaquinhas (Racar Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4) and Rafael Muncharaz (McLaren Barcelona – SMC Motorsport McLaren 570S GT4) are still in the race for a place at the FPAK gala.
Daniel Teixeira poised to defend Touring Car title
Daniel Teixeira only needs to participate in one of the Portimão races to secure the TCR title, as he leads the overall Touring Car standings with a 26-point advantage over Rodrigo Ferreira and João Oliveira.
Given the technical superiority JT59 Racing Team Hyundai Elantra N TCR of Daniel Teixeira over the Ginetta G40s driven by the young FPAK Junior Team members, it’s unlikely he will be defeated. However, the young drivers, in their first year of motorsport, have shown very promising performances.
In the TC division, the battle is between the FPAK Junior Team drivers, with Rodrigo Ferreira, João Oliveira, and Henrique Moura Oliveira all in the running for the title.
Ferreira and Oliveira are tied on points, while Oliveira is just four points behind, meaning the title is still within his reach.
This battle is one to watch closely, as all drivers depend on their teammates, who will do everything they can to help their colleagues gain the upper hand in the points table. Rúben Silva and Henrique Ventura Oliveira could also finish in the top three of the standings.
GTC decided, but everything to play for in GTX and Cup
Rui Miritta is already the overall GTC champion of the Iberian Supercars, but behind the Monteiros Competições Porsche 911 driver, there is still fierce competition to determine the remaining podium places.
Simon Moore and Tomás Pinto Abreu (Ginetta G55), Marcus Fothergill and Dave Benett (Porsche 911), both Tockwith Motorsports duos, and Andrius Zeimatis (Speedy Motorsport Porsche Cayman GT4 MR) are separated by just six points, setting up a thrilling battle. Steve Kirton (Tockwith Motorsports Ginetta G55), who is planned to partner with Henrique Cruz, could also challenge for a top-three spot, although he is a bit further behind.
In the GTX division, Simon Moore and Tomás Pinto Abreu are set for an intense fight with Andrius Zeimatis, with just 10 points between them. Steve Kirton remains a contender, trailing his Tockwith Motorsports teammates by 28 points, and could still influence the title outcome.
Rui Miritta has had an outstanding 2024 season and is close to securing the Cup division crown. The Porsche 911 driver from Monteiros Competições needs only to finish behind his main rivals, Dave Benett and Marcus Fothergill, in the first race of the weekend to be crowned GTC champion of the Iberian Supercars.
Team championship still wide open
The Iberian Supercars team championship remains undecided, with 90 points still available. Each team can score points through the cars they field or nominate for points, in the case of teams with more than two cars.
Speedy Motorsport leads with 133 points, but their 21-point margin over Racar Motorsport leaves no room for complacency, as the Lisbon-based team is still in control of their own destiny.
Veloso Motorsport, 32 points behind the leaders, also remains in contention, though they will need their rivals to falter in order to secure the team title, meaning they will need a little luck on their side.
Promotion Motorsport and NM Racing Team are not entirely out of the title race either, but with deficits of 40 and 56 points, respectively, they would need everything to align perfectly—a rare but not impossible scenario in motorsport—to claim the Iberian Supercars team championship.
The battle for all titles will begin on Saturday with free practice and qualifying, which can be followed via the official Instagram account of the competition. On Sunday, the races will take place, with the first at 9:00 a.m. (GMT+1) and the second at 4:55 p.m., both of which can be watched on A Bola TV and the official YouTube channel.
For those wanting to experience the action live, tickets are available on the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve’s website. Prices start at €15 (weekend) for the Grandstand, €35 (weekend) for Paddock and Main Grandstand access, and €55 (weekend) for VIP Tower access, which also includes entry to the Main Grandstand and Paddock.
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