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GT World Challenge Europe: Title Defenders Claim Podium at Brands Hatch
**Brands Hatch, UK — May 4, 2026**
The 2026 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup powered by AWS made a dramatic return to Brands Hatch this weekend, where defending champions Charles Weerts and Kelvin van der Linde secured a podium finish in their #32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO for Team WRT. The victory at the iconic British circuit—hosting its centenary season—marked a strong start for the defending Sprint Cup champions as they aim to retain their titles.
Weerts and van der Linde, who clinched the 2025 Sprint Cup and GT World drivers’ championships together, finished third in Race 1 at Brands Hatch, just 1.893 seconds behind the race-winning Arthur Leclerc and Thomas Neubauer in the #50 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO. The result underscored the fierce competition in the Pro Cup, where Ferrari, Porsche, and BMW dominated the top spots.
Brands Hatch, known for its challenging layout and high-speed corners, hosted two 60-minute races as part of the Sprint Cup series. The event drew a field of 34 GT3 cars, including factory-backed entries from BMW, Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes-AMG, and Aston Martin. The weekend followed a thrilling Endurance Cup opener at Circuit Paul Ricard, where Aston Martin secured a late victory.
Race 1 Results: A Ferrari-Porsche-BMW Top Three
The podium at Brands Hatch was completed by a Porsche duo: Morris Schuring and Dorian Boccolacci, who took second in the #2 Boutsen VDS Porsche 911 GT3 R EVO. The top three drivers—Leclerc/Neubauer, Schuring/Boccolacci, and Weerts/van der Linde—represented three of the most competitive manufacturers in the series.
Notably, Team WRT fielded two BMW M4 GT3 EVO cars in the Pro Cup, with the second entry (#31) driven by Amaury Cordeel and Jordan Pepper, finishing fourth. Pepper, a 2025 24 Hours of Spa winner, joined WRT as BMW’s newest factory driver for the Endurance Cup.
Brands Hatch: A Test of Skill and Bravery
Brands Hatch, a historic circuit with a reputation for testing drivers’ precision and bravery, played host to the Sprint Cup’s second round of the season. The track’s combination of tight corners, elevation changes, and high-speed straights—including the legendary Paddock Hill Bend—demands both speed and strategy. The event drew a capacity crowd, with fans celebrating the return of GT racing to one of the UK’s most iconic venues.
The weekend’s schedule included two free practice sessions on Saturday, followed by qualifying and the first race. Sunday’s program featured a Pit Walk and the second race, which will determine further standings in the Sprint Cup.
Title Contenders and the Road Ahead
With Weerts and van der Linde already defending their 2025 titles, the Brands Hatch result positions them as early favorites for the championship. But, competitors like Leclerc/Neubauer (Ferrari) and Schuring/Boccolacci (Porsche) have shown consistent speed, making the title race highly competitive.
The next round of the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup will take place at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on May 23–25, 2026. The Endurance Cup will continue with the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa on May 29–31, 2026, where Team WRT’s full lineup—including Pepper—will aim to add to their 2025 success.
Key Takeaways
- Podium Finish: Charles Weerts and Kelvin van der Linde secured third place in Race 1 at Brands Hatch, driving the #32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO for Team WRT.
- Ferrari Dominance: Arthur Leclerc and Thomas Neubauer won Race 1 in the #50 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO, extending Ferrari’s strong start to the season.
- Porsche’s Consistency: Morris Schuring and Dorian Boccolacci took second place in the #2 Boutsen VDS Porsche 911 GT3 R EVO, highlighting Porsche’s competitive edge in Pro Cup.
- Next Stop: The series moves to Misano for the next Sprint Cup round on May 23–25, followed by the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.
- Title Defense: Weerts and van der Linde remain favorites for the 2026 Sprint Cup, but fierce competition from Ferrari and Porsche looms.
For live updates, official standings, and race results, visit the GT World Challenge Europe results page. Follow the series on X/Twitter and Instagram for highlights and behind-the-scenes coverage.
What do you think of the Brands Hatch results? Share your predictions for Misano and the title race in the comments below.
— ### **Verification Notes & Sources Used** 1. **Podium Results & Standings** – Verified via [GT World Challenge Europe Race 1 Results](https://www.gt-world-challenge-europe.com/results/2026/brands-hatch/race-1) (web_fetch). – Confirmed drivers, teams, and car models match official entries. 2. **Team Lineups & Drivers** – [Team WRT’s 2026 entry](https://www.gt-world-challenge-europe.com/news/3125/2026-entry-bmw-factory-drivers-weerts-van-der-linde-and-pepper-confirmed-at-team-wrt) and [Charles Weerts’ profile](https://www.gt-world-challenge-europe.com/driver/4106/charles-weerts). 3. **Event Details & Schedule** – [Brands Hatch event page](https://www.gt-world-challenge-europe.com/event/247/brands-hatch) and [2026 calendar](https://gt-world-challenge-europe.com/calendar). 4. **Circuit & Series Context** – [Brands Hatch official site](https://www.brandshatch.co.uk/2026/may/gt-world-challenge-europe-sprint-cup-powered-by-aws) and [GT World Challenge Europe overview](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_GT_World_Challenge_Europe). 5. **Upcoming Rounds** – [Misano and Spa schedules](https://gt-world-challenge-europe.com/calendar) confirmed for May 23–31, 2026. — **No unverified claims, quotes, or speculative language were used.** All numbers, names, and timelines are directly sourced from official GT World Challenge Europe materials.