A fresh line-up, fresh season and a fresh machine set the stage for an intriguing weekend at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, where GRS Team begins its 2026 Eurocup-3 campaign. The Spanish Winter Championship not only launches the competitive year but also introduces the all-new Dallara 326, ushering in a significant reset across the grid.
Because the winter series precedes the main Eurocup-3 season, the three rounds carry strategic importance. Teams must extract maximum mileage, refine set-ups and fast-track driver adaptation. Consequently, preparation will prove just as decisive as outright speed when the lights go out on 21–22 February.
Giovanelli steps onto the European stage in 2026 with Eurocup-3 winter debut with GRS Team
For Gianni Giovanelli, this weekend represents more than a season opener; it marks his first competitive appearance in Europe. The Argentine arrives after a steady rise through national categories in his homeland.
He launched his career progression in 2023 by contesting the closing rounds of the Sport Prototipo championship, where he immediately delivered eye-catching performances. One year later, he mounted a full campaign and narrowly missed the SP3 title by only a few points, underlining both his consistency and composure.
At the same time, Giovanelli competed in F3 Metropolitana, widely considered Argentina’s most competitive single-seater championship. That experience sharpened his racecraft and prepared him for the next leap.
During 2025, he combined a partial F3 Metropolitana programme with extensive Eurocup-3 testing alongside GRS Team. As a result, he heads into the winter series already acquainted with both the previous-generation car and the Dallara 326. In addition, he has tested at two of the three circuits on the Spanish Winter Championship calendar, giving him valuable reference points before his debut weekend.
“I am very happy to be competing in one of the best categories in the world. It has undoubtedly been a long preparation process and a huge collective effort to reach this day. I would like to thank my team for this great project and my family for always being by my side. Let’s go, Argentina!”.
Stevenheydens returns with confidence for 2026
In contrast, Yani Stevenheydens returns to a familiar environment determined to build on previous progress. After finishing runner-up in the 2024 French Formula 4 Championship, the Belgian stepped up to Eurocup-3 with GRS and quickly demonstrated his potential.
He impressed during his first weekend with the team in the closing round of the winter series, showing both pace and maturity. When the main season began, he strengthened that impression at the Red Bull Ring by qualifying inside the top three and scoring points in both races.
Although he did not contest the full campaign, he maximised every opportunity and consistently delivered competitive performances. Moreover, his pre-season form with the Dallara 326 has underlined his readiness for the new era.
“I am really happy to be back with GRS for the start of the 2026 season. It feels great to return to a familiar environment where we already have strong foundations, which will only help us keep improving. With the new Dallara car putting everyone on a level playing field, I’m confident that together we can fight for strong results and push the car to the front”.
GRS leadership backing a balanced line-up for 2026
GRS Team enters the season with clear belief in its driver pairing. Both Giovanelli and Stevenheydens have integrated into the squad’s daily operations over the past year, contributing to testing, feedback and development work. Therefore, the team views continuity as a competitive advantage during this transitional phase.
CEO and Team Manager, Josep Trinidad said, “We head into the 2026 season with a very strong driver line-up. Both Gianni and Yani have been integrated into the team’s day-to-day operations for the past year, so having them debut the new Eurocup-3 car is the right decision. Gianni has made significant progress since joining us in March 2025, and we believe this is the ideal moment for his debut, while Yani has proven to be a guarantee of performance and professionalism. It is a pleasure to count on both of them for this new challenge, and we are ready for the season to begin”.
As the 2026 winter campaign begins, GRS Team combines continuity, youth and preparation in pursuit of a strong start to this new Eurocup-3 era.
