GT World Challenge powered by AWS arrives at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend for the concluding round of the Sprint Cup. Two 60-minute races will decide the destination of this year's titles, bringing the curtain down on a season that began at Brands Hatch before visiting Misano, Magny-Cours and Zandvoort.
It has been a remarkably competitive campaign, leading to an incredible eight-way fight for the overall drivers' title. CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa winners Ricardo Feller and Bastian Buus top the table for Lionspeed GP and will bid to become Porsche's first ever Sprint Cup champions.
This has probably been the fastest car in 2026, though not the most consistent. Nevertheless, if they can maintain their record of bagging a top-two finish at each Sprint round, Feller and Buss will probably have enough to seal the title.
Next up is the AF Corse Ferrari duo of Arthur Leclerc and Thomas Neubauer, who are 5.5 points off the top. In contrast with Lionspeed, this car has not been spectacularly fast but has produced a very consistent season, scoring points in seven of the eight races thus far. It's something of a surprise that they arrive at the finale within striking distance of the title, but they stand a real chance.
Barcelona’s own Dani Juncadella sits third, just half a point behind Leclerc/Neubauer. The Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing driver has shared with two different teammates this term – Chris Lulham and Jules Gounon – hence fighting for the title alone. He scored his maiden GT World Challenge victory at this circuit back in 2017 and, with the ultra-fast Lulham alongside him, can be a threat this weekend.
We're starting to get into outsider territory with defending champions Charles Weerts and Kelvin van der Linde. Having looked nailed on for the title after sweeping the board at Misano, the Team WRT BMW drivers have slipped down the order of late. Still, they're only nine points off the top and you should write them off at your peril.
If Weerts/Van der Linde are a long shot, the other four contenders are genuine outsiders. Mathematically, the title is also open to 2024 champions Maro Engel and Lucas Auer (Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG); Thierry Vermeulen and Ben Green (Emil Frey Racing Ferrari); Valentino Rossi and Max Hesse (Team WRT BMW); and Dorian Boccolacci (Boutsen VDS Porsche). Realistically, these hopefuls will need a perfect weekend to snatch the crown.
Indeed, history tells us that the champions will come from the top two. In the previous 12 Sprint Cup title deciders, the crew that began on top has won on six occasions, while the second-place crew has won four times. In 2018 the top two entered level on points, and in 2021 the title was settled early. If this trend holds, either Lionspeed or AF Corse will be celebrating on Sunday evening.
Outside the fight for the drivers' title, there will be a fascinating storyline in the pits. Heading into the finale, the #7 Comtoyou Racing squad is best placed to secure this year's Pit Stop Challenge, which rewards the fastest pit crew in each Sprint Cup race. They hold a 19-point lead over the #31 Team WRT, while four other crews are in contention.
And there is plenty more to be decided on-track this weekend, with titles up for grabs in the Gold Cup and Bronze Cup classes. The former has been led by AF Corse Ferrari drivers Tommaso Mosca and Matias Zagazeta since the opening race of the season, and with a 20.5-point advantage over Tom Fleming and Louis Prette (#58 Garage 59 McLaren) they are hot favourites to finish the job.
Peter Dempsey and Eddie Cheever (Ziggo Sport Tempesta Racing Porsche) took control of the Bronze Cup with a double win at Zandvoort. There are four more contenders for this class crown, but realistically the challenge is likely to come from Rinat Salikhov and Marvin Dienst (#87 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG). 2 Seas Motorsport and Paradine Competition are long shots, while GetSpeed Team Dubai is mathematically eligible.
So that's Gold and Bronze – but what about Silver? This was settled a round early in favour of Matisse Lismont and Ignacio Montenegro. The Team WRT BMW drivers have also sealed the combined title and will race without pressure at the finale.
In addition to the GT World Challenge title fights there are three more high-level series on the programme, bringing the total competitive track time at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to almost eight hours. There will be two races each for Lamborghini Super Trofeo, McLaren Trophy Europe, and the GT3 Revival Series
Tickets start at 25€ with a three-day pass costing 55€. This allows access to the paddock and fan zone, and to the circuit's many spectator areas. A number of supplementary purchases are available, including Pit Walk, Grid Walk and Guided Tour passes. Children aged 12 and under can attend for free when accompanied by a paying adult. Click here for further information.
If you can’t make it to the track, live coverage is available on the GT World YouTube channel. This begins with Qualifying 1 at 09:50 on Saturday, followed later that day by Race 1 at 14:00. The schedule is similar on Sunday with Qualifying 2 at 11:15 and Race 2 at 16:00.