Leung Tackles Double Duty in Barcelona and Portimão
Darren Leung is set to compete in a demanding double-header this weekend, participating in both the 6 Hours of Barcelona and the GT World Challenge Europe season finale at Portimão. Leung, the sole FIA Bronze ranked driver among his quartet, is bracing for a challenging endeavor with distinct technical specifications at each venue.
“I thought I’ll just try my best,” Leung stated, reflecting on his decision to undertake both races. “It’ll be an exciting challenge.” He races a BMW M4 GT3 Evo, with the setup varying significantly between the two events—at Portimão, his entry will be handled by Paradine Competition on Pirelli tires, while in Barcelona, it will be under Team WRT with Goodyear tires and running in LMGT3 specification.
“It’s like driving two different cars,” Leung explained, noting the differences in tire compounds and performance attributes. “Adapting quickly and understanding the fundamentals is crucial.”
His schedule includes two days in Portimão followed by FIA WEC Free Practice 3 and qualifying in Barcelona, where he maintained a perfect record of qualifying for Hyperpole this season. Following Qualifying, he faces a tight transfer to the GT World Challenge race with less than six hours in between.
Leung’s performance this season has kept him in contention for two championships: the Endurance Cup and the Bronze Cup Drivers’ Championship. Currently, he trails Kessel Racing’s Dustin Blattner by 15 points in the Endurance Cup, while just four points separate him from Winward Racing’s Rinat Salikhov and Marvin Dienst for the full-season title.
“We’re here to try and win that thing,” said Leung, emphasizing his commitment to end the season with a strong finish.
Alongside Leung, 20-year-old Robert de Haan joins as a third driver for the Portimão event, where he clinched Bronze Cup pole position during the evening qualifying. Leung praised de Haan’s talent and seamless integration into the team, noting, “He’s a phenomenal talent and a pleasant guy to have around.”
Additionally, Daryl De Leon makes his GT3 debut at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, sharing the #992 BMW with Christian Hahn and Josh Rowledge. “I’ve been super excited since it got confirmed,” De Leon said about his transition from the British Touring Car Championship.
With Leung’s dual-role strategy and promising performances from his teammates, all eyes will be on Paradine Competition in both races as they look to secure valuable standings in their respective titles.
