The 2026 GT Cup Europe officially started today with the free practice day at the Autódromo do Algarve, which hosts the season-opener. In perfect and almost summer conditions, the Dutch package formed by Paul Meijer and Jurriaan de Back, in the Hans Wijs Motorsport Porsche, proved fastest in both sessions, finishing the day with a best time of 1.44.374, posted in the morning session, which proved faster for most contenders, given the evolution of temperatures.
Second-fastest in both sessions was the FAEMS by Ebimotors Porsche of Matteo Luvisi and Pietro Delli Guanti, 0s778 behind. These two pairs also dominated Thursday’s day of private testing, with the Pro-Am reigning champion car and the duo of Italian youngsters taking one session each.
Third-fastest and best among Pro-Am cars was the debuting 992 of Spanish squad GT Corse, with Alejandro Barambio and Borja García (+1s005), right ahead of Niccolò Schirò-Ludovico Longoni (ZRS, +1s088). Followed another new entry, Diego Stifner-Lodovico Laurini (BiRace Motorsport, +1s448) and the LMR car of Bernardo Pinheiro (who better than anyone can claim the title of ‘local hero’ here at Portimão) and Flávio Sampaio (+1s603).
There was more satisfaction for HWM with the top position in Am (and seventh overall) for Rick Van Zijverden and Hans Wijs himself (+1s631). No particular issues were to report, with the only absence of the Villorba Lamborghini #8 because of professional commitments preventing Luciano Privitelio from attending.
Alejandro Barambio (GT Corse) was fastest in the Bronze session 1.46.747.
