The 2026 International GT Open season reaches its conclusion at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 23–25 October, with a 35-car field preparing for a decisive weekend that will settle all four championship titles. The Spanish circuit returns to its traditional position as the season finale after renovation work disrupted the arrangement during the previous two years.
For the twentieth time in the championship’s 21-season history, the overall Drivers’ Championship remains undecided heading into the final round. Elite Motorsport’s Tom Emson and Tom Lebbon lead the standings by 16 points, but Greystone GT’s Zac Meakin and ZRS Motorsport’s Pietro Armanni and Alex Fontana remain mathematically capable of taking the crown.
Meanwhile, the Pro-Am, Am and Teams’ Championships also remain open, with eight points separating the leading Pro-Am contenders, ten points dividing the Am title rivals and nine points between the leading teams. With 13 Pro, 14 Pro-Am and eight Am entries confirmed, Barcelona promises a competitive conclusion to an unpredictable season.
Barcelona returns as traditional International GT Open finale
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has played an important role in International GT Open since the championship’s introduction in 2006, providing a familiar setting for several decisive title battles.
However, renovation work at the venue prevented the circuit from hosting the traditional season finale during the previous two campaigns. Its return in 2026 restores one of the championship’s longstanding arrangements, with Barcelona and Monza remaining the only two circuits to feature in every season.
The 4.657km circuit combines a lengthy main straight with technical corners and high-speed sections, placing considerable emphasis on aerodynamic balance, tyre management and traction.
Furthermore, the variety of corner speeds requires teams to find an effective compromise between outright performance and consistency throughout the races.
With 35 GT3 cars competing across three categories, traffic management will also influence the outcome. Drivers must balance their individual championship ambitions against the risks of navigating a competitive field, particularly as the final two races determine the season’s remaining titles.
Emson and Lebbon carry 16-point advantage into Barcelona
Emson and Lebbon arrive at Barcelona leading the overall Drivers’ Championship with 138 points, holding a 16-point advantage over their nearest challenger.
The Elite Motorsport with Entire Race Engineering pairing has established itself as the benchmark throughout 2026, securing five victories aboard the #17 Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO.
Their campaign has included dominant performances at Misano, where they completed a double victory, alongside important wins at Paul Ricard and Hockenheim. However, their consistency has proved equally valuable, allowing them to maintain their championship advantage during more challenging weekends.
The Monza GT Open 500 presented another difficult test, with the British pairing struggling to match the leading contenders. Nevertheless, they recovered to finish fourth, collecting 16 points and retaining the championship lead.
With 30 points remaining across Barcelona’s two races, Emson and Lebbon remain in a favourable position but cannot afford a costly retirement or another difficult weekend.
Meakin’s consistency keeps McLaren in championship contention
Meakin enters the season finale second in the standings with 122 points, having established himself as one of the most consistent competitors throughout the campaign.
The Greystone GT driver has secured one victory and eight podium finishes in the McLaren 720S GT3, regularly challenging the leading Ferrari, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche entries.
Although the British driver has not matched the outright victory totals of his principal rivals, his consistency has allowed him to remain firmly involved in the championship fight.
At Monza, Meakin and regular teammate Dean Macdonald finished second behind Scuderia Villorba Corse’s Lamborghini, collecting 24 points and reducing the championship deficit to 16.
Macdonald sits five points behind Meakin after missing the Paul Ricard round, where Joseph Loake substituted in the #33 McLaren.
Consequently, Meakin enters Barcelona needing to make substantial gains on Emson and Lebbon. However, his recent performances suggest the McLaren pairing has the pace to challenge for the victories required.
Armanni and Fontana face difficult Porsche title challenge
Pietro Armanni and Alex Fontana remain mathematically involved in the championship battle, although the ZRS Motorsport pairing faces a considerably larger deficit.
The Italian-Swiss combination sits on 112 points after an impressive debut campaign with the Porsche 911 GT3 R, during which it has secured four victories.
Their performances have repeatedly established ZRS Motorsport among the leading Pro contenders, demonstrating the team’s ability to challenge established GT3 operations despite its relative inexperience in International GT Open.
At Monza, Armanni and Fontana finished third, securing another valuable podium after a race dominated by the strategic battle between Team Motopark and Villorba Corse.
However, Emson and Lebbon’s fourth-place finish limited their championship gains.
The Porsche pairing consequently enters Barcelona 26 points behind the championship leaders, with only 30 available. They therefore need an exceptional weekend alongside significant difficulties for both Elite Motorsport and Greystone GT to overturn the deficit.
Mansell and Götz seek redemption after Monza heartbreak
Although Christian Mansell and Maximilian Götz can no longer win the overall championship, the Team Motopark pairing remains among the most competitive entries heading into Barcelona.
The Mercedes-AMG drivers entered Monza as serious title contenders and appeared capable of delivering a crucial victory after dominating much of the weekend.
However, an apparent suspension failure forced Götz into retirement at Ascari with just three laps remaining, ending their championship challenge after they had controlled the race for much of its duration.
The retirement left Mansell and Götz on 99 points, 39 behind the championship leaders.
Nevertheless, their two victories earlier in the season, including a commanding performance at the Spa GT Open 500, demonstrate their ability to challenge for outright honours.
Motopark will also field Marcelo Ramírez and Dominik Baumann in another Pro Mercedes, while Nikita Mazepin returns alongside César Gazeau in the team’s third entry.
Villorba Corse arrives following consecutive victories
Scuderia Villorba Corse heads into Barcelona with considerable momentum after Leonardo Moncini and Rodrigo Testa secured consecutive victories at Hockenheim and Monza.
The young Italian-Portuguese pairing endured several near misses earlier in the campaign before claiming its maiden International GT Open victory during the opening race at Hockenheim.
However, its performance at Monza proved particularly impressive. Moncini and Testa overcame penalties and strategic complications to secure the 500km victory following Motopark’s late retirement.
The result added 30 points to their championship total, moving them to 94 and strengthening their position among the leading Pro combinations.
Although the pair cannot challenge for the overall title, their recent performances suggest they could influence the championship outcome by taking valuable points from the remaining contenders.
Furthermore, their growing confidence with the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 gives Villorba an opportunity to conclude its breakthrough season with another strong performance.
Ferrari and McLaren strengthen competitive Pro field
Beyond the championship contenders, several experienced combinations will aim to conclude the season with victories or podium finishes.
AF Corse continues with Rafael Durán and Tommaso Mosca in its Ferrari 296 GT3, with the pairing still searching for its maiden victory of the campaign despite several competitive performances.
The Italian team will also field Yaroslav Veselaho and Lorenzo Ferrari, while supporting the Double TT Racing entry of Lorenzo Colavita and Gilles Renmans for their second appearance of the season.
Meanwhile, Greystone GT expands its McLaren representation with another 720S GT3 for McKenzy Cresswell and British GT racer Callum Davies.
The additional McLaren could influence the championship battle, particularly if the pairing challenges the leading contenders for significant points.
With multiple competitive Ferrari and McLaren entries, the Pro field offers considerably more than a direct contest between the championship’s leading three driver combinations.
Optimum Motorsport returns as SMC Motorsport makes debut
Two additional McLaren programmes will attract attention during the Barcelona finale, with Optimum Motorsport returning for a one-off appearance and SMC Motorsport making its championship debut.
Optimum will field a 720S GT3 for American Ford Koch and experienced British driver Joe Osborne, who returns to competition in a championship where he previously enjoyed considerable success.
Osborne has also established himself as a motorsport commentator, although his return to Barcelona provides an opportunity to revisit a circuit where he previously secured two victories.
Meanwhile, Spanish outfit SMC Motorsport will make its first International GT Open appearance under the leadership of Emilio de Villota Jr.
The team has confirmed Alejandro Geppert and Ben Dörr for its McLaren entry, combining recent GT Open experience with additional GT racing expertise.
Neither team faces championship pressure, allowing both combinations to concentrate on achieving competitive results during their respective appearances.
Bateman leads closely contested Pro-Am championship
The Pro-Am Championship remains closely contested, with Blackthorn’s Charlie Bateman holding an eight-point advantage over Fach Auto Tech’s Alexander Fach.
Bateman enters Barcelona with 88 points after securing four class victories throughout the season. The British driver will again share his Aston Martin Vantage GT3 with former International GT Open champion Henrique Chaves, who partnered him for two of those wins.
Their most recent success came at Monza, where the pairing claimed the Pro-Am victory in the GT Open 500, overturning Fach’s championship advantage.
The result moved Bateman into the lead after he entered the Italian round four points behind his Swiss rival.
However, with 20 Pro-Am championship points remaining across Barcelona’s two races, the title remains far from secure.
Bateman and Chaves must therefore maintain their recent momentum while avoiding costly mistakes, particularly as their principal rivals have demonstrated comparable race-winning pace throughout the season.
Fach targets late Pro-Am championship fightback
Fach enters Barcelona on 80 points, trailing Bateman by eight following a campaign that has also produced four class victories.
The Swiss driver has impressed during Fach Auto Tech’s first full International GT Open season, regularly competing near the front of the Pro-Am category aboard the team’s Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Alexander Schwarzer has partnered him for much of the campaign, and their performances have established the family-run outfit as a serious championship contender.
However, the Monza GT Open 500 proved costly. While Bateman and Chaves secured maximum class points, Fach failed to match their result and surrendered the championship lead.
Nevertheless, the deficit remains recoverable with two races remaining.
Fach must now outscore Bateman significantly to reclaim the advantage, while the presence of several other competitive Pro-Am combinations could influence the final standings.
The battle therefore remains open as both drivers attempt to secure their first International GT Open Pro-Am title.
Olimp Racing and experienced rivals strengthen Pro-Am field
Although Bateman and Fach will contest the championship, the remaining 12 Pro-Am entries provide additional competition for victories and podium finishes.
Olimp Racing’s Marcin Jedliński and Karol Basz enter Barcelona third in the standings with 68 points, aiming to secure their first victory of the season while protecting their championship position.
Meanwhile, former class champions Dexter Müller and Yannick Mettler return with SPS automotive performance in a Mercedes-AMG GT3. Team Motopark also introduces an additional Pro-Am Mercedes for Dutch pairing Nigel Schoonderwoerd and Yelmer Buurman.
Ferrari representation includes Norik Racing’s Norikazu Shibata and Charlie Fagg, AF Corse’s Laurent De Meeus and Vincent Abril, and Into Africa Racing by Dragon’s Xolile Letlaka and Stuart White.
The Audi R8 LMS GT3 also remains competitive, with ISR Racing’s Libor Milota and Filip Salaquarda and Saintéloc Racing’s Michaël Blanchemain and Jim Pla having each secured victories during 2026.
Schubert Motorsport joins expanded Pro-Am grid
Barcelona will also welcome another established German GT3 operation, with Schubert Motorsport making its International GT Open debut.
The team will field a BMW M4 GT3 EVO for Hubert Darmetko and Fabian Dybionka, allowing the Polish pairing to return following the destruction of their PTT Racing BMW during private testing at Monza.
Schubert brings extensive experience from the DTM and other GT3 championships, strengthening an already competitive Pro-Am field.
Meanwhile, Pedersen Racing continues with Danish drivers Lars Pedersen and Mikkel Pedersen, while Greystone GT fields Andrei Borodin and Ollie Webb in another McLaren.
Track Focused also retains Darren and James Kell, who will continue their campaign in the team’s McLaren 720S GT3.
The category consequently features 14 entries, making Pro-Am the largest class at Barcelona and adding another layer of uncertainty to the championship battle.
Monegro Reyes takes ten-point advantage into Am finale
The Am Championship will feature another direct battle between Porsche and Ferrari, with Joel Monegro Reyes leading Adrian Lewandowski by ten points.
The Dominican driver enters Barcelona on 92 points after securing four victories throughout the campaign, including an important triumph at Monza.
That result allowed Monegro Reyes to overturn the ten-point deficit he carried into the penultimate round, reclaiming the championship lead after Lewandowski’s Baron Motorsport Ferrari suffered a technical retirement.
The Fach Auto Tech driver will share his Porsche 911 GT3 R with Thomas Kiefer at Barcelona, aiming to convert his advantage into the championship title.
Success would also carry historical significance, potentially making Monegro Reyes the first driver from the Dominican Republic to win a European GT championship.
However, with 20 Am points remaining, his ten-point lead does not guarantee the title, particularly if Lewandowski returns to winning form.
Lewandowski seeks Am championship recovery with Baron Motorsport
Lewandowski enters the season finale second in the Am standings on 82 points after losing the championship lead at Monza.
The Polish driver had previously established a ten-point advantage through consistent performances with Baron Motorsport, but the Ferrari’s retirement during the endurance race allowed Monegro Reyes to move ahead.
Unlike his rival, Lewandowski will contest Barcelona alone, placing the responsibility for both races entirely on his own performance.
Nevertheless, the Austrian team’s Ferrari has demonstrated competitive pace throughout the season, providing encouragement as Lewandowski attempts to recover the championship deficit.
The 20 points still available mean the title remains mathematically open, although Lewandowski must outscore Monegro Reyes by more than ten points to guarantee the championship outright.
Consequently, qualifying performance and race consistency will prove particularly important as the two drivers prepare for their final opportunity to secure the Am crown.
Hahn and Osman lead additional Am contenders
Although the championship battle centres on Monegro Reyes and Lewandowski, the eight-car Am field includes several combinations capable of influencing the outcome.
AF Corse’s Marcelo Hahn and Galid Osman enter Barcelona following a campaign that has produced three victories, while Olimp Racing’s Stanisław Jedliński and Krystian Korzeniowski have also claimed a class win.
Meanwhile, Förch Racing’s Jakub Dwernicki and Tomasz Magdziarz will seek another strong performance after securing victory during their team’s Hockenheim debut.
Goodspeed Racing continues with Piotr Wira and Denis Waszek in its Aston Martin, while Sendom Racing fields Seweryn Mazur in a Lamborghini.
Mexican driver Alfredo Hernández completes the field aboard the Grupo Prom Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, contesting the finale without a teammate.
With several previous race winners competing, both title contenders will need to maximise their results. Even drivers outside championship contention could play an important role by taking podium positions and points away from the leading pair.
Greystone GT leads Elite Motorsport in Teams’ Championship
The Teams’ Championship also remains undecided, with Greystone GT entering Barcelona nine points ahead of Elite Motorsport.
Greystone strengthened its position at Monza after Meakin and Macdonald finished second, increasing its championship total to 95 points.
Meanwhile, Emson and Lebbon’s fourth-place finish moved Elite Motorsport to 86, leaving the two British outfits separated by nine points with 20 still available.
Consequently, the Teams’ Championship closely mirrors the overall Drivers’ title battle, with Ferrari and McLaren competing for both honours.
Team Motopark sits third on 74 points, but its deficit to Greystone exceeds the maximum remaining score. ZRS Motorsport follows on 67, while Villorba Corse holds fifth with 53 following its Monza victory.
Greystone therefore enters the finale with the advantage, although Elite Motorsport still has an opportunity to overturn the deficit through strong performances in both races.
Barcelona restores traditional two-race weekend format
Following the double-points GT Open 500 at Monza, Barcelona returns to the championship’s regular two-race format.
The weekend begins with Free Practice on Friday, providing teams with opportunities to refine their setups before the championship’s final qualifying sessions.
Saturday will feature the opening qualifying session followed by a 70-minute race, while Sunday’s second qualifying session determines the grid for the final 60-minute contest.
The revised format places renewed emphasis on qualifying performance, with both races offering opportunities to secure individual championship points.
Furthermore, teams must manage their compulsory pit stops and driver changes carefully, particularly as success handicaps and strategic decisions could influence the final order.
With multiple titles still available, even small mistakes during either race could have significant championship consequences.
2026 International GT Open Barcelona weekend schedule
The final round takes place from Friday, 23 October, to Sunday, 25 October, with two qualifying sessions and two championship races.
Friday, 23 October — Free Practice
- 10:46–11:46 — Free Practice 1
- 14:18–15:18 — Free Practice 2
- 17:14–17:54 — Bronze Driver Free Practice
Saturday, 24 October — Qualifying and Race 1
- 10:40–11:05 — Qualifying 1
- 15:10 — Race 1 (70 minutes)
Sunday, 25 October — Qualifying and Race 2
- 09:00–09:25 — Qualifying 2
- 13:30 — Race 2 (60 minutes)
All times are local Spanish time. Spain changes from CEST to CET overnight on Sunday, 25 October.
Fans can follow the weekend through the official International GT Open website, which provides event information, live timing, results and championship updates. The championship will also stream its races through its official YouTube channel.
Four championship titles await decisive Barcelona finale
Barcelona concludes a 2026 International GT Open season that has produced closely contested races, changing championship leaders and several unexpected results.
Emson and Lebbon enter the final weekend with a 16-point advantage in the overall standings, but Meakin remains within striking distance after another consistent campaign. Meanwhile, Armanni and Fontana retain a mathematical chance of securing the title, although they require an exceptional outcome.
The Pro-Am and Am championships offer equally compelling battles. Bateman holds an eight-point advantage over Fach, while Monegro Reyes leads Lewandowski by ten following their contrasting fortunes at Monza.
Greystone GT and Elite Motorsport will also contest the Teams’ Championship, adding further significance to the performances of the leading Ferrari and McLaren entries.
Beyond the title battles, several established teams and newcomers will seek strong results, with Villorba Corse, Motopark, AF Corse and the expanded McLaren contingent all capable of challenging for outright honours.
With 35 cars, four championships and two races remaining, the return to Barcelona provides an appropriate conclusion to the 2026 International GT Open season.
