HRT Ford Racing enters the final round of the 2026 Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS in Portugal focused on closing the year with its first victory in the Pro Cup class. The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão hosts five Ford Mustangs during the weekend, headlined by HRT Ford Racing and its two-car Mustang GT3 program, October 16 - 18. Adding to the weekend, the SRO GT4 European Series takes to the Portuguese track, spearheaded by three Mustang GT4s across Academy Motorsport and TeamFloral. These entries feature five members of the Ford Racing Driver Development team, gaining invaluable wheel-to-wheel experience on one of motorsport's most challenging circuits.
FAST FACTS
- Queenslander Cameron McLeod returns to the Academy Motorsport line-up to compete alongside Erik Evans.
- Sam Paley ranks fourth in the Silver Drivers’ Championship entering the GT4 finale, competing for the title alongside Kiano Blum. Blum completed his ADAC GT Masters campaign in Mustang GT3 with a race victory last week.
- Niklas Kalus, Nicolas Baert, Eduardo Coseteng helped HRT Ford Racing to its first GT World Challenge Europe victory in August at the Nürburgring. The Silver Cup class finish highlights the growth of the program, as both Mustang GT3s were also awarded pole position in their respective classes in Monza.
- Portimão’s signature elevation changes and high-speed technical layout make it one of Europe's primary proving grounds for aerodynamic setup, tire endurance, and brake testing. Ford Racing has used the circuit extensively for its sports car platforms including the development of the Ford Mustang GT3 and its evo performance package.
DRIVER QUOTES
ARJUN MAINI, No. 64 HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3 (Pro Cup) – “I’m really looking forward to the final round of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup in Portimão. It’s been a bit of a roller coaster season for us. We’ve shown incredible pace at times, but unfortunately, we haven’t managed to turn that potential into a podium finish or a win yet. After a strong sixth-place finish in our last race, we’re determined to build on that performance and hopefully end the season with the result we’ve been working so hard for with the Ford Mustang GT3.”
THOMAS DROUET, No. 64 HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3 (Pro Cup) – “It’s been a challenging season so far, but we’re determined to give it everything we’ve got and achieve the result we deserve. Our Ford Mustang GT3 is ready to go, and so are Arjun, Fabio, the entire HRT team and I. We’re going to push like hell.”
FABIO SCHERER, No. 64 HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3 (Pro Cup) – “I’m really excited to race at Portimão this weekend. I love this track, and I think its characteristics suit the Ford Mustang GT3 really well. Our goal is to carry the momentum from the Nürburgring into the weekend, keep pushing hard and fight for another.”
MAXIME OOSTEN, No. 65 HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3 (Silver Cup) – “I’m super eager to get going for the last event of the GT World Challenge in the Ford Mustang. It's going to an awesome track with a great team. Let’s try to repeat [the win at] Nürburgring to end the season on a high.”
NICOLAS BAERT, No. 65 HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3 (Silver Cup) – “I’m really excited to be back in HRT colors this weekend. After a successful first outing, our goal is to build on that performance and achieve another strong result in the final endurance race weekend of the season. We’ll give it everything we’ve got and do our best to finish the season on a high note.”
EDUARDO COSETENG, No. 65 HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3 (Silver Cup) – “It’s been a long season, and now we’re heading into the final race weekend of the year. Our motivation and determination are just as strong as they were at the start of the season. The entire HRT team and I are ready to give it everything we’ve got and make one final push to finish the year on a high note. Let’s go!”
