We have reached the penultimate round of the International GT Open 2024 in which Alex Fontana will be back on track with the Porsche GT3R entered by Car Collection Motorsport. The German car will as usual be driven by the established Fontana/“Hash” duo that will be returning to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
The #12 Porsche, which competes in the Pro-Am class, has recently returned from the last round at the Red Bull Ring where it missed out on a class podium in race 2. The Swiss driver, who is continuing in the dual role of driving coach to his American colleague “Hash”, hopes to find the same pace on a very technical trac that is very different to the Austrian circuit. This is why it will be important to keep an eye on the weather, as rain characterised most of the Austrian weekend and also the previous round at Le Castellet in France.
The 4,657 metres of the Catalan circuit, which is located on the edge of Barcelona’s industrial suburbs, are well suited to the driving style of the Swiss driver, as demonstrated by the results in recent seasons: victory in Race1 of the GT Cup 2022 – one of the GT Sport Organización events – and the great comeback during the GT World Challenge Europe round in 2023. Back in 2011, he also conquered the first title of his career in cars here in Barcelona, in the Formula 3 Open.
The programme involves a first day dedicated to free practice, with racing starting on Saturday 28 September it. The morning qualifying session will be followed by Race1 lasting 70 minutes at 16:15, while Sunday will see the second qualifying session and Race2 lasting one hour at 13:20.
The #12 Porsche, which competes in the Pro-Am class, has recently returned from the last round at the Red Bull Ring where it missed out on a class podium in race 2. The Swiss driver, who is continuing in the dual role of driving coach to his American colleague “Hash”, hopes to find the same pace on a very technical trac that is very different to the Austrian circuit. This is why it will be important to keep an eye on the weather, as rain characterised most of the Austrian weekend and also the previous round at Le Castellet in France.
The 4,657 metres of the Catalan circuit, which is located on the edge of Barcelona’s industrial suburbs, are well suited to the driving style of the Swiss driver, as demonstrated by the results in recent seasons: victory in Race1 of the GT Cup 2022 – one of the GT Sport Organización events – and the great comeback during the GT World Challenge Europe round in 2023. Back in 2011, he also conquered the first title of his career in cars here in Barcelona, in the Formula 3 Open.
The programme involves a first day dedicated to free practice, with racing starting on Saturday 28 September it. The morning qualifying session will be followed by Race1 lasting 70 minutes at 16:15, while Sunday will see the second qualifying session and Race2 lasting one hour at 13:20.
Alex Fontana
“Barcelona is a circuit that brings back a lot of memories for me and fortunately it is a track I like a lot. We’re hoping for decent weather this weekend so that Hash can get some kilometres under his belt and establish a feeling with the Porsche right away. We want to claim that podium finish that slipped away at the Red Bull Ring, confirming the good development work done throughout the season.”