Mercedes & McLaren Show Speed In Barcelona Practice

GT World Challenge Europe: Barcelona Free Practice and Pre-Qualifying Recap

Barcelona, Spain — Jules Gounon led the final Free Practice session for the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, clocking in a fastest lap of 1:40.793 in his #17 Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed AMG GT3 Evo. Gounon, alongside co-driver Luca Stolz, emerged as a key contender as the team aims to improve upon a challenging season.

Gounon’s blistering pace was highlighted by his first fast lap of 1:40.982, with Augusto Farfus trailing by just 0.265 seconds in the #98 ROWE Racing BMW M4 GT3 Evo, who notably lost time in the final sector. The leading Porsche in the session was Patric Niederhauser’s #96 Rutronik Racing entry, securing third, while Reece Barr’s #23 Team RJN McLaren GT3 Evo took fourth place.

Bronze Cup leader Patrick Kolb managed to finish eighth despite a mid-session off that triggered a red flag for barrier repairs. He was able to return to the track after repairs were completed. Notably, a driver change for the #19 GRT – Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo occurred due to Ivan Ekelchik’s illness, with Isaac Tutumlu Lopez stepping in.

Pre-Qualifying Results

Benjamin Goethe from Garage 59 topped the Pre-Qualifying session with a time of 1:40.870 in the #59 McLaren GT3 Evo. The session was characterized by early quick times, with second-placed Bastian Buus closely following at 1:41.137 in the #888 UNX Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R (992). Dennis Marschall completed the top three for Kessel Racing in the #74 Ferrari 296 GT3.

Goethe mentioned, “It’s looking promising so far,” reflecting on his solid early lap. The session ran mostly incident-free aside from a late interruption caused by the #15 BMW Italia Ceccato Racing M4 GT3 Evo, which stranded on track.

Despite challenges, including a poor showing from Team WRT’s #32 BMW, which finished 59th of 60 entries, the day saw competitive lap times as teams prepare for the upcoming race.

Key Results:

• Free Practice Top 5:

  1. Jules Gounon (GER) – #17 Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed – 1:40.793
  2. Augusto Farfus (BRA) – #98 ROWE Racing – 1:41.058
  3. Patric Niederhauser (SUI) – #96 Rutronik Racing – 1:41.259
  4. Reece Barr (GBR) – #23 Team RJN – 1:41.374
  5. Alessio Rovera (ITA) – #51 AF Corse – 1:41.423

• Pre-Qualifying Top 5:

  1. Benjamin Goethe (GER) – #59 Garage 59 McLaren – 1:40.870
  2. Bastian Buus (DEN) – #888 UNX Racing Porsche – 1:41.137
  3. Dennis Marschall (GER) – #74 Kessel Racing Ferrari – 1:41.301
  4. Louis Prette (ITA) – #58 Garage 59 McLaren – 1:41.404
  5. Fabian Schiller (GER) – #17 Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed – 1:41.533

As teams continue to refine their setups ahead of the race, the stage is set for a competitive showdown in Barcelona.