As reported by Sportscar365, Augusto Farfus will strengthen Paradine Competition’s 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup programme after agreeing to partner Darren Leung for the full Bronze class season.
The BMW factory driver will share the No. 991 Paradine Competition BMW M4 GT3 EVO with Leung across the four-event Sprint Cup campaign. Their season will begin at Misano on 17-19 July, where the pair will start a programme that builds on their growing relationship in BMW GT machinery.
The move brings Farfus and Leung together in another major international GT3 championship. It also gives Paradine Competition a highly experienced professional driver alongside a Bronze contender who already knows how to win the class title. Leung claimed the 2024 GTWC Europe Sprint Cup Bronze crown with Dan Harper at Century Motorsport, and he will now chase further success with one of BMW’s most accomplished factory drivers.
Farfus commits after positive Zandvoort experience
Farfus and Leung first joined forces in the GTWC Europe Sprint Cup at Zandvoort last year. Although Farfus had not previously raced in the Sprint Cup, the compact format quickly appealed to him. Therefore, the Brazilian left the event open to the idea of returning for more rounds with Leung.
“I really enjoyed it last year when I joined Darren in Zandvoort,” said Farfus, who is also tackling the Endurance Cup this year in a ROWE Racing BMW. I did not know what to expect because it was my first time in Sprint Cup, but I really enjoy the format and sharing the car with Darren is always a pleasure. So I said to Darren I would come if he needed me for other rounds. Unfortunately, it didn’t work then, but this year it will be nice to do a full campaign to try to have a shot at the championship.”
Paradine builds around a proven partnership
Paradine Competition has already seen Farfus and Leung work together in demanding conditions. Earlier this year, the pair teamed up in the Dubai 24H, where they finished fourth overall. That result added another layer of experience to a partnership that has continued to develop across different formats and championships.
In addition, Farfus and Leung share a World Endurance Championship connection. Leung finished fifth at the WEC season opener at Imola alongside Farfus and Sean Gelael in a WRT-run BMW. As a result, their Sprint Cup campaign will not start from scratch. Instead, both drivers will arrive with shared references, clear communication and recent race mileage together.
That continuity could prove crucial in the Sprint Cup. The format places heavy emphasis on qualifying, driver changes, short-run pace and clean execution. Consequently, a driver pairing that already understands each other can gain an early advantage.
Leung looks to build on Bronze Class success
Leung enters the season with strong momentum in GTWC Europe Sprint Cup competition. He won the 2024 Bronze title alongside Dan Harper with Century Motorsport, which proved his ability to deliver across the short-format championship.
However, his move into a full programme with Farfus gives him a fresh opportunity to raise the level again. The extra time alongside a BMW factory driver should help him sharpen both his outright pace and race management. Furthermore, Leung believes the expanded schedule will allow the pair to work through the finer details that often decide Sprint Cup results.
“It’s nice to have a pretty full programme with Augusto this year,” said Leung, who finished fifth alongside Farfus and Sean Gelael in a WRT-run BMW in the WEC opener at Imola. “We are going to have lots of time together to really get into the details.
“He has spent a huge amount of time helping me over the last couple of years, so I’ve no doubt that working with him I’ll be able to learn another thing or two from one of the most experienced and accomplished guys in the paddock.”
Misano opens the four-event campaign
The Farfus-Leung partnership will begin its full-season Sprint Cup programme at Misano on 17-19 July. The Italian venue will provide the first measure of Paradine Competition’s pace against the rest of the Bronze class field.
Misano’s tight layout and intense racing should immediately test the No. 991 BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Qualifying will likely play a major role, while race starts, pit timing and traffic management could shape the final result. Therefore, Farfus and Leung will need to settle into the weekend quickly.
After Misano, the pair will continue across the remaining Sprint Cup rounds with a clear target. Leung has already won the Bronze title once, while Farfus has openly stated his desire to fight for the championship. Together, they give Paradine Competition a line-up with both ambition and credibility.
