Barcelona markedGian Luca Tüccaroglu'sfirst real test of endurance in 2026.
He competed in a one-off race weekend as part of thePorsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe– specifically as preparation for the upcoming season in the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Germany.
At the same time, it was his first race weekend with his new team:Team75 Motorsport. The long-established German racing team has stood for professionalism, structure, and experience in Porsche motorsport for years. Expectations were correspondingly high—and the response was correspondingly strong.
Free practice – Immediately on par
It was already apparent during the training sessions that the driver and team had quickly found common ground. The coordination work was precise, the feedback was clear, and the setup developed in the right direction.
The pace was right from the start. The car felt stable and controllable, especially on the long runs – an important basis for the upcoming qualifying session.
Qualifying – Double start from the top 3
Gian Luca impressively confirmed his strong form in qualifying.
He securedsecond place on the grid for the first race andthird place for the second race.
In a closely contested international field, such a double placement is a clear sign that the overall package is working.
The collaboration with Team75 Motorsport already paid off during their first race weekend together.
Race 1 – Leading into Turn 1 and sending a strong message
The first race got off to a spectacular start.
Starting fromsecond on the grid, Gian Luca got off to a perfect start, pulling up right alongside the pole sitter and decisively taking the lead before the first corner. It was a precise and confident maneuver—exactly the momentum you need in a tight sprint field.
He then confidently controlled the race from the front. Together with his closest rival, he pulled away from the rest of the field. Gian Luca crossed the finish line first – a clear victory in his first race weekend with Team75 Motorsport.
However, after the race, a5-second time penaltywas imposed. Since Gian Luca and his closest rival had already pulled away from the rest of the field, the penalty only cost him one position – he was officially classified assecond.
Nevertheless, the positives outweigh the negatives: this race showed what Gian Luca and the new team are capable of. The pace was competitive, the teamwork was effective, and the message was clear.
Race 2 – Strong comeback after setback
In the second race, Gian Luca started fromthird placeand was once again in the thick of the battle for the top positions.
However, in an intense duel, he veered off the ideal line and had to swerve into the gravel trap. This meant a bitter setback – back to18th place.
But this is precisely where his mental strength came to the fore. Lap after lap, he worked his way back to the front, executing several clean overtaking maneuvers and consistently exploiting every opportunity that presented itself.
In the end, they finished ineighth place– an impressive comeback after falling behind at one point.
Conclusion – A clear signal for 2026
Barcelona was more than just a guest appearance. It was a statement.
- First race weekend with Team75 Motorsport
- Double top-3 qualifying
- Lead in turn 1
- Victory on the track
- Officially second place after time penalty
- Catching up from P18 to P8
This weekend has shown that Gian Luca is ready for the new season. The collaboration with Team75 Motorsport is working well, the speed is right, and he has the confidence he needs.
