This weekend marked the start of the 2025 Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux season – and what better place to kick things off than the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit? As a support series for the FIA World Endurance Championship, the stage was set for a spectacular debut.
New faces on the grid
For our team, this round also meant the debut of two rookie drivers: Alexandra Vateva and Frank Porte Ruiz. Both entered the series with great determination, ready to prove themselves on one of the most demanding tracks in Europe.
The first laps of 2025
Thursday saw the first official practice sessions, followed by qualifying and Race 1 on Friday. In qualifying, our drivers immediately showed their potential. Frank secured an impressive P2 in the rookie classification, while Alexandra claimed P6.
Race 1 – Promise and penalties
As the lights went out for the season opener, nerves were high. The first points were on the line. Frank drove a strong race and initially crossed the line with a podium finish in the rookie class. Unfortunately, a post-race penalty for track limits, combined with the race finishing under Safety Car conditions, pushed him down the order. Alexandra delivered a solid drive, fighting her way forward and finishing just off the podium in P4.
Race 2 – Sunday storm
Sunday was all about the 6 Hours of Spa, but before the endurance giants took to the track, we opened the day with Race 2. It turned into a chaotic event, with multiple Safety Car interruptions due to crashes and debris. Alexandra was on a strong run and looked set for a podium charge, but was taken out through no fault of her own just after a restart. The incident resulted in a penalty for the other driver, but it was a bitter end to what had been a promising race.
Frank once again fought at the front in the rookie battle. Despite the stop-start nature of the race, he managed to hold on and secure another P2 finish in the rookie standings.
With an action-packed season opener behind us, we’re already looking ahead to the next challenge: DTM Zandvoort. The potential is clear, the motivation is high – and this is just the beginning.
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