From the season opener at Mugello to the final showdown in Barcelona
Some championships explode into life from the very first race.
This isn’t one of them.
This one has been built race after race, round after round, until arriving at that final event where a single detail can change everything.
That is exactly what the Michelin 24H SERIES European Series has become as it heads into the most important race of the season.
Four events held at some of Europe’s most iconic circuits.
Mercedes-AMG, Audi, Porsche and McLaren all have genuine reasons to believe they can win. And interestingly, outright speed matters far less than many people think.
Strategy.
Reliability.
Traffic management.
Those are the factors that separate first place from second after twelve or even twenty-four hours of racing.
There has been no dominant force.
The 2026 season has been one of those campaigns where one manufacturer wins one weekend, another takes the next, and then an unexpected contender suddenly steals the spotlight.
Every race has written a different chapter, leaving Barcelona with absolutely nothing decided.
Consistency has been the defining factor of the season
Everything began at Mugello.
A demanding, technical circuit where Mercedes-AMG immediately looked competitive.
GetSpeed Team PCX Racing secured pole position and seemed ready to dominate.
But endurance racing rarely follows the script.
Instead, Haas RT shocked everyone by taking control of the race with its Audi.
Their execution was almost flawless, delivering a textbook strategic performance while proving just how evenly matched the leading manufacturers really were.
Position changes became a constant throughout the event.
In the closing hours, however, Saintéloc Racing managed traffic, pit strategy and tyre degradation better than anyone else.
They claimed victory after a tense finish and delivered the season’s first major message:
Nobody was going to dominate this championship.
The next stop was the legendary Spa-Francorchamps.
This time, it was McLaren’s turn to step into the spotlight.
Optimum Motorsport enjoyed an almost perfect weekend.
Consistent pace.
Zero mistakes.
Outstanding strategy.
The reward was McLaren’s first-ever victory in the Michelin 12H Spa.
Perhaps even more importantly, they proved they could challenge Mercedes-AMG, Audi and Porsche on equal terms.
The championship fight suddenly had a fourth serious contender.
Three different manufacturers winning the opening two races.
The parity wasn’t just a theory anymore.
It had become reality.
Paul Ricard proves that strategy wins endurance races
Round three took place at Circuit Paul Ricard, the former French Grand Prix venue.
A completely different challenge.
Long straights.
Extreme temperatures.
Tyres capable of disappearing if not managed carefully.
With the championship becoming increasingly tight, every single point began to carry enormous value.
While several fast teams lost time through small mistakes, HOFOR Racing took the conservative approach.
Their race was built from the pit wall rather than on outright pace.
Every strategic window was perfectly timed.
Every unnecessary risk avoided.
They didn’t need to set the fastest laps.
They simply executed the perfect endurance race.
Victory once again reinforced one of the oldest truths in motorsport:
The fastest car doesn’t always win.
The team that makes the fewest mistakes usually does.
After three rounds, the championship remained completely open.
No manufacturer had managed to establish clear supremacy.
Nürburgring adds another chapter to the championship battle
The penultimate race of the season was one of the most anticipated.
For the first time, the Michelin 24H SERIES visited the Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit, introducing a brand-new challenge to the European calendar.
The race fully lived up to expectations.
During the opening hours, the surprise package was UP2Race.
The debuting team found itself leading the race ahead of far more experienced organisations, confirming what had already become evident throughout the season:
This championship was competitive enough for newcomers to dream big.
As the race unfolded, however, GetSpeed Team JR286 gradually took control.
Mercedes-AMG capitalised on every opportunity, established a comfortable lead and eventually secured victory in the inaugural Michelin 12H Nürburgring.
A historic success.
For GetSpeed, it represented a major boost in confidence.
For Mercedes-AMG, it confirmed they would arrive in Barcelona with valuable momentum.
Meanwhile, Porsche quietly did what Porsche has always done.
No headlines.
No unnecessary drama.
Just remarkable consistency.
The German manufacturer remained firmly in contention throughout the season, steadily collecting the points that often make all the difference when a championship reaches its conclusion.
Everything is Set for Barcelona
After four rounds, one thing is certain: the 2026 season has been one of the closest in Michelin 24H SERIES history.
Mercedes-AMG has demonstrated impressive qualifying pace and consistency throughout the races.
Audi has once again confirmed why it remains one of endurance racing’s benchmark manufacturers.
McLaren made history with its breakthrough victory at Spa.
And Porsche has quietly remained one of the strongest contenders, always in the fight when it matters most.
Unlike previous seasons, no manufacturer has managed to dominate.
Every circuit has produced a different winner.
Every race has rewarded a different quality—raw speed, strategy, consistency or adaptability.
That’s endurance racing.
With the championship still completely open, the series now heads to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the longest and most demanding event of the calendar.
Twenty-four hours that will decide not only who wins one final race, but who becomes the 2026 Michelin 24H SERIES European champion after a season that has remained unpredictable from the very first green flag.
As always in a 24-hour race, absolutely anything can happen.
Mechanical failures.
Punctures.
Changing weather conditions.
Strategic mistakes.
Poorly timed pit stops.
Even the smallest incident can completely transform the championship fight.
With that in mind, here are the teams you should be watching closely throughout the race.
They are fighting not only for victory at Barcelona, but also for the championship itself.
Before looking at each category individually, it’s important to understand one key difference in the points system.
Unlike the 12-hour races, the 24H Barcelona awards points twice.
Half points are awarded after the first 12 hours (20 points for the leader, 18 for second, 16 for third, and so on), while full championship points are awarded at the finish (40 points for the winner, 36 for second, 32 for third, etc.).
This means that the battle for the title effectively has two decisive moments during the weekend.
GT3 Overall Championship
GetSpeed Team JR286
Championship position: 1st – 103 points
What do they need?
The championship leaders simply need to manage the race intelligently without taking unnecessary risks.
They arrive in Barcelona as the team to beat and, more importantly, their title hopes are largely in their own hands.
Saintéloc Junior Team
Championship position: 2nd – 92 points (11 points behind)
What do they need?
Saintéloc must find stronger race pace than GetSpeed while avoiding costly mistakes.
Consistency throughout the 24 hours will be essential, as will keeping the pressure on the teams ahead in the standings.
HOFOR Racing
Championship position: 3rd – 88 points (15 points behind)
What do they need?
They need to repeat the formula that earned them victory at Paul Ricard.
A smart race.
No mistakes.
Take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself.
That has been HOFOR’s greatest strength throughout the season.
GetSpeed Team PCX Racing
Championship position: 4th – 86 points (17 points behind)
What do they need?
Stay within striking distance of the leaders.
Execute clean driver changes.
Control traffic efficiently.
And hope that one—or more—of the three teams ahead encounter problems during the race.
Proton Competition
Championship position: 5th – 80 points (23 points behind)
What do they need?
A near-perfect race.
They also require several of their direct championship rivals to suffer setbacks.
It won’t be easy, but in a 24-hour endurance race, scenarios that seem unlikely on paper often become reality.
Being 23 points behind the championship leader means victory may realistically be their only route to the title.
The Teams That Need a Miracle
Viper Niza Racing (76 points)
26 points behind the leader
Viper Niza Racing has been competitive throughout the season, scoring points at every event.
Their best result came at the 12H Nürburgring, where they claimed third place after consistently finishing close to the podium during the previous rounds.
However, sitting 26 points behind means they now need almost everything to go in their favour.
They must win.
Their rivals must struggle.
The odds are heavily against them, but mathematically, the championship is still alive.
Ajith RedAnt Racing (72 points)
Ajith RedAnt Racing finds itself in a very similar situation.
In fact, they have arguably been even more consistent than Viper Niza Racing.
However, a disappointing result at the 12H Nürburgring—where they scored just four points—left them with a significant gap to recover.
They remain mathematically in contention, but only a major result combined with problems for the championship leaders will keep their hopes alive.
Continental Racing by Simpson Motorsport (68 points)
The British squad still has mathematical chances, although they are now heavily dependent on the results of others.
As endurance racing has shown time and again, anything can happen over 24 hours.
But realistically, their championship hopes are now hanging by a thread.
GT3 Pro/Am: Four Teams Still in the Title Fight
This is arguably the closest battle of the championship, with four teams arriving in Barcelona still holding realistic title ambitions.
GetSpeed Team PCX Racing (136 pts)
The championship leaders head into the final round with a 12-point advantage.
While it’s a useful cushion, it is by no means decisive in a 24-hour race.
They have been the most consistent team throughout the season, which is exactly why they lead the standings.
The objective is simple: focus on their own race and avoid unnecessary risks.
If they execute another clean weekend, the title is theirs to lose.
Proton Competition (124 pts)
Just 12 points adrift, Proton remains firmly in contention.
Their challenge is straightforward on paper but difficult in practice.
They need GetSpeed to stumble while delivering an almost flawless performance themselves.
A clean strategy, consistent pace and mistake-free execution over 24 hours will be essential if they are to overturn the deficit.
Ajith RedAnt Racing (120 pts)
Only 16 points separate them from the championship lead.
They may not arrive as the favourites, but they are certainly one of the strongest outsiders.
If they can combine solid pace with a trouble-free race, they have every chance of putting themselves in contention for the title during the closing hours.
Saintéloc Junior Team (112 pts)
The French squad has the least room for error.
Barcelona demands almost the perfect race if they want to become champions.
Every point scored during both the intermediate and final classifications could prove decisive.
GT3 AM
GetSpeed Team JR286 (130 pts)
The current championship leaders also arrive as the favourites in GT3 AM.
Their season has been remarkably consistent.
Victory at Nürburgring, combined with second-place finishes at Spa and Paul Ricard, has placed them in the strongest position ahead of the season finale.
Their only disappointing result came in Mugello, where they finished seventh.
Even so, they remain the benchmark entering Barcelona.
HOFOR Racing (124 pts)
Only six points behind, HOFOR Racing is perfectly positioned to challenge for the title.
A victory in Barcelona could easily be enough to secure the championship.
And as endurance racing constantly reminds us, twenty-four hours create endless opportunities.
One mistake.
One puncture.
One poorly timed Safety Car.
Any setback for GetSpeed could dramatically shift the balance in HOFOR’s favour.
Viper Niza Racing (116 pts)
Just 16 points behind the leaders, Viper Niza Racing remains a genuine championship contender.
Arguably one of the most consistent teams throughout the season, their results speak for themselves:
- 4th at Mugello
- 4th at Spa
- 5th at Paul Ricard
- 2nd at Nürburgring
If they can maintain that consistency while adding a victory—or at least another podium—they could still complete a remarkable championship comeback.
Continental Racing by Simpson Motorsport (110 pts)
Two podium finishes in four races have kept Continental Racing within touching distance of the championship battle.
However, their task is now extremely difficult.
Three teams remain ahead of them, meaning they not only need an exceptional result but also favourable outcomes elsewhere.
Their title hopes remain alive, but only just.
E2P Racing (94 pts)
The only Spanish team competing in the top GT3 category faces perhaps the toughest challenge of all.
With four teams ahead of them in the standings, only an almost perfect race will keep their mathematical hopes alive.
Still, racing on home soil often brings an extra level of motivation, and in endurance racing, surprises are never impossible.
Porsche 992 Category
Red Camel-Jordans.nl (140 pts)
The Dutch outfit arrives in Barcelona holding a comfortable 24-point advantage over its closest rival.
Consistency has been the foundation of its championship campaign, and unless something unexpected happens, the title remains entirely in its own hands.
Their priority will be to avoid unnecessary risks and manage the race with patience and experience.
Mühlner Motorsport (116 pts)
The gap to Red Camel leaves the German squad with little choice.
They need an excellent result of their own while hoping the championship leaders encounter problems somewhere during the 24 hours.
As long as the mathematics allow it, they remain a serious threat.
HRT Performance (88 pts)
Their chances are slim.
Only a near-perfect race combined with significant setbacks for both teams ahead would allow them to fight for the championship.
It is an unlikely scenario, but endurance racing has repeatedly shown that impossible situations sometimes become reality.
Porsche 992 AM
HRT Performance (112 pts)
HRT Performance arrives in Barcelona with a narrow championship lead.
Like several other category leaders this weekend, the title largely depends on their own performance.
Keeping calm, avoiding mistakes and staying out of trouble will be the priorities throughout the race.
RPM Racing (108 pts)
The gap is minimal.
If RPM Racing manages to finish ahead of HRT Performance, its chances of lifting the championship increase dramatically.
This battle could easily go down to the very final hours of the race.
Chazel Technologie Course (104 pts)
The French team needs another consistent weekend while taking advantage of any problems suffered by the two teams ahead.
The competitiveness of the Porsche 992 AM class means their title ambitions remain very much alive.
SebLajoux Racing (102 pts)
Although they arrive with the smallest margin for error, SebLajoux Racing is still firmly in the championship fight.
Barcelona will almost certainly require a more aggressive approach than their rivals if they hope to finish the season as champions.
TCE / TCX
Not Only Motorsport (152 pts)
Not Only Motorsport has been the benchmark team throughout the season.
Consistency has been their greatest strength, allowing them to arrive in Barcelona as championship leaders.
The equation is simple: another clean race, free of major mistakes, could be enough to secure the title.
But in endurance racing, nothing is guaranteed until the chequered flag falls.
asBest Racing #102 (148 pts)
Only four points separate them from the championship lead.
One position gained over Not Only Motorsport could completely change the outcome of the season.
Given the narrow margin, this promises to be one of the closest championship battles of the entire Barcelona weekend.
What About GTX and GT4?
GTX
Unlike the other categories, the GTX championship has already been decided.
Vortex has mathematically secured the title with 120 points, holding an unassailable 80-point advantage over its nearest rival.
Barcelona will therefore be about finishing the season on a high rather than fighting for the championship.
GT4
The GT4 situation is rather unusual this year.
Only two different teams have competed during the season, each participating in separate events.
As a result, HOFOR Racing and Circuit Toys arrive in Barcelona tied on 40 points.
HOFOR Racing claimed victory at Paul Ricard as the sole GT4 entrant, while Circuit Toys repeated the feat at the Nürburgring.
Everything will now depend on the final entry list for Barcelona to determine whether either—or both—teams return for the season finale.
Championship Snapshot Ahead of Barcelona
As the Michelin 24H SERIES heads into its final round, this is how each championship stands:
GT3 AM
Only 20 points separate first from fourth.
GT3 Pro/Am
Four teams still have realistic championship ambitions.
Porsche 992
Red Camel-Jordans.nl holds the advantage but has yet to secure the title.
Porsche 992 AM
Just 10 points cover the top four teams.
GTX
Vortex has already wrapped up the championship.
GT4
A limited number of entries throughout the season leaves the title battle dependent on Barcelona’s final grid.
TCE / TCX
Only four points separate the top two teams heading into the finale.
Twenty-Four Hours to Decide Everything
After Mugello.
Spa-Francorchamps.
Paul Ricard.
And Nürburgring.
Only one challenge remains.
The 2026 24H Barcelona Trofeo Fermín Vélez.
Twenty-four hours stand between several teams and championship glory, while others risk seeing an entire season’s work slip away at the final hurdle.
Every driver change, pit stops. strategy decisions. Safety Cars / Code 60 period. Every drop of rain.
Each one could prove decisive in determining who lifts the Michelin 24H SERIES trophies.
Because endurance racing has always rewarded more than outright speed.
Championships are rarely won by the fastest car alone.
They are won by the team that performs with the greatest consistency, executes under pressure, and keeps fighting until the very last lap.
Barcelona is ready.
Now, it’s time to find out who will become the 2026 Michelin 24H SERIES champions.
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