The fourth round of the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup season concluded with Alex Fontana finishing in 9th place at the Nürburgring. The Lugano-born driver was competing in the event at the wheel of the Lionspeed GP team’s #89 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) EVO alongside Bashar Mardini and Patrick Kolb – the same line-up with which he had secured a podium finish at the prestigious 24 Hours of Spa. Alex took to the track for the first of the three qualifying sessions required by the regulations to determine the starting grid for the Nürburgring 3 Hours, his time of 1:55.401 good for 6th place in the Bronze class. After combining the times of his teammates, the crew’s performance earned them 11th place on the grid.
The Nürburgring 3 Hours was marked by numerous full-course yellow periods and safety car outings, complicating race management and strategy. The first driver to take the wheel of the #89 Porsche was Mardini, who immediately set about trying to make up places in the standings. However, the Canadian was involved in a collision that saw him drop down the order. Kolb took over for the middle stages of the race, leaving Alex to drive the final stint. Fontana had to fight his way back to break into the top ten. The Swiss driver’s race pace – he also set the team’s fastest lap with a time of 1:57.853 – allowed him to climb to 9th place in class. The race proved challenging for the #89 Porsche crew and now the hope is that the final round at the Portimao circuit – a track where Alex has historically shown excellent pace – might provide a satisfying end to the year.
The next round of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup will take place on the weekend of 16–18 October 2026 at the Portimao circuit, whilst Alex Fontana will be back in action this coming weekend at Imola in the GT4 Italy series, alongside the AF Academy drivers.
Alex Fontana
“It was by no means easy this weekend, with all the safety car interruptions making it difficult for us to climb the order. Let’s now focus on Portimao in October, aiming to finish the championship in the best possible way, whilst the AF Academy drivers and I will be back at work in just a few days’ time at the Imola circuit for the GT4 Italy series.”