GT World Challenge (GTWC) Europe has cancelled the remainder of Saturday’s running at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya after persistent heavy rain left conditions unsafe for further track activity.
Race directors made the decision following a rain-affected opening Sprint Cup race, which officials had already stopped temporarily as conditions deteriorated. Organisers have also confirmed that a local government directive will prevent any activity at the circuit between 20:00 on Saturday and 14:00 on Sunday, forcing significant changes to the final day of the Barcelona weekend.
As a result, Sunday’s programme will not begin before 14:00 and will feature races for GT World Challenge Europe, Lamborghini Super Trofeo, McLaren Trophy Europe and the GT3 Revival Series. However, organisers have warned that the remaining qualifying sessions may be cancelled as they work to accommodate the revised schedule.
Heavy rain ends Saturday running early
Persistent rain has affected the Barcelona weekend since Friday afternoon, with difficult conditions already playing a significant role during Free Practice 2. The weather intensified further on Saturday and contributed to an eventful opening Sprint Cup race.
Race Control stopped Race 1 shortly after the halfway point as worsening rainfall and standing water made conditions increasingly difficult. Racing eventually resumed, with Alex Aka and Dylan Pereira taking victory for Tresor Attempto Racing after starting 14th.
The official GTWC Europe Race 1 report confirmed that Ricardo Feller and Bastian Buus finished second for Lionspeed GP, putting the championship leaders on the brink of securing the Sprint Cup title. Luca Engstler and Patric Niederhauser completed the podium for Rutronik Racing.
However, the weather continued to cause problems after the race. With the rain showing no sign of easing sufficiently, race directors subsequently determined that the circuit could not safely host the remainder of Saturday’s scheduled activity.
The official Barcelona event update therefore confirmed the cancellation of all remaining Saturday sessions.
Government directive forces Sunday schedule changes
In addition to the decision taken by race officials, a local government directive has further restricted the event timetable. The directive prohibits all circuit activity from 20:00 on Saturday until 14:00 on Sunday.
Consequently, organisers must restructure the final day of the Barcelona weekend around a significantly reduced window. GT World Challenge Europe currently plans to begin Sunday’s programme at 14:00, although the timetable remains subject to further alterations.
The revised programme will focus exclusively on races. GT World Challenge Europe will join Lamborghini Super Trofeo, McLaren Trophy Europe and the GT3 Revival Series on the shortened schedule, while organisers have confirmed that no additional activities will take place.
The restriction creates a particularly significant challenge for the Sprint Cup because the second qualifying session has yet to take place. Organisers have stated that the remaining qualifying sessions may be cancelled, although they have not yet confirmed the final format for Sunday’s GTWC Europe running.
Qualifying 2 remains uncertain
Under the original weekend format, Qualifying 2 would determine the starting order for the second and final Sprint Cup race of the season. However, the severe weather and revised timetable have now placed that session in doubt.
Any cancellation would require officials to establish the grid for the finale through an alternative procedure. At the time of the event update, GT World Challenge Europe has not confirmed whether Qualifying 2 will take place or how officials will determine the Race 2 starting order if the session cannot run.
That uncertainty adds another element to an already tense championship finale. Buus and Feller entered Barcelona at the head of the Sprint Cup standings after taking the championship lead during Race 2 at Zandvoort, before Buus strengthened their position by taking pole for Saturday’s opening Barcelona contest.
Their second-place finish in Race 1 has now moved the Lionspeed GP pairing to the brink of the drivers’ championship. Nevertheless, with the final race still to come, the title remains unresolved while teams wait to learn how Sunday’s shortened programme will proceed.
Barcelona finale set for delayed Sunday start
Despite the disruption, organisers still intend to complete the racing programme on Sunday once the government restriction ends at 14:00. The Sprint Cup finale therefore remains scheduled to take place, although its exact timing and the status of Qualifying 2 remain uncertain.
GT World Challenge Europe has stated that the revised timetable remains subject to further changes and that organisers will provide additional information when it becomes available.
For now, teams and drivers face an extended wait before the Barcelona season finale can resume, with persistent rain having transformed both the weekend schedule and preparations for the final Sprint Cup race of 2026.
