Countdown to the 2025 Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux Season Opener

• The fastest one-make series in the Benelux promises another season of top-tier motorsport action 

• Comprehensive testing opportunities boost driver and team readiness ahead of a thrilling campaign 

Zonhoven, 12 April 2025 – Following the official Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux test day at Circuit Zandvoort and a productive ProSpeed test at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps, anticipation is building for the kick-off of the 2025 season. The fastest brand cup in the Benelux is almost ready to roar into action. 

Since its inception in 2013, the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux has featured a season opener in the Belgian Ardennes, a tradition continuing in 2025. Once again, the championship will launch alongside the FIA World Endurance Championship during the Belgian round on 8, 9 and 10 May. 

“For our championship, opening the season during the incredible FIA WEC weekend is a major milestone,” explains Olivier Aerts. “This event truly reflects our values: international flair, elite competition, and a clear connection to the broader Porsche motorsport pyramid. This year, we’re pushing boundaries with no fewer than eleven nationalities on the starting grid, further underlining our commitment to global talent development. With three F1 circuits on the calendar, we’re providing a top-class platform for young drivers on the path to the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.” 

Consistency and continuity 

The proven format of the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux remains unchanged: six race weekends, each featuring two flat-out 30-minute sprint races plus one lap. Four of those six events will be hosted at Formula 1 venues – Spa-Francorchamps, Zandvoort (twice), and the Hungaroring – while the Benelux staples of Assen and Zolder complete the calendar. 

“This structure supports the international character of our series and makes it even more attractive to rising stars,” Aerts adds. “For example, our Spa-Francorchamps opener features 21 cars, representing eleven nationalities across a variety of top-tier teams. Among them: Dutch outfits GP Elite, PG Motorsport, Team Race Art and MDM Motorsport; Belgian squads Q1 Trackracing (reigning champions), Redant Racing, NGT Racing and D’Ieteren Luxury Performance; German newcomer Kurt Ecke Motorsport; Finnish entries Team Korainen and 39 Racing; Estonia’s EST1; and Serbian debutants Spark Racing Team.” 

Nurturing the next generation 

Talent development has always been a core focus of the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux. The 2024 champion, young Dutchman Dirk Schouten, captured the title with Q1 Trackracing and now steps up to compete in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. 

“We wish Dirk the best in the next chapter of his career — his journey fuels our passion for supporting the stars of tomorrow,” continues Aerts. “Thanks to the continued backing of D’Ieteren, six young drivers (aged 16 to 21) are part of our Talent Pool for 2025. Among them is 21-year-old Bulgarian Alexandra Vateva, the first-ever female rookie in the history of our championship. In total, seven rookies will line up at Spa for the opening round.” 

Boosted testing programme 

To give competitors every advantage, the organisation has expanded testing availability for 2025. “Track time before race weekends is key, not just for fine-tuning car setups, but also for gaining confidence and collecting crucial data,” says Aerts. “That’s why we’ve scheduled pre-event test days at four of our venues: Zandvoort (2 June), the Hungaroring (3 July), Assen (7 August), and Circuit Zolder (11 September).” 

Next stop: Spa-Francorchamps! 

 The countdown is officially on for the opening races on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 May. With a high-calibre grid ready to compete, fans can expect thrilling on-track action. “It’s set to be a battle between experienced front-runners and fresh young talent,” says Aerts. “Among the veterans are Bertrand Baguette (D’Ieteren Luxury Performance), Niels Langeveld (Redant Racing), and Porsche specialist Jaap van Lagen (Team Race Art). They’ll face off against seven new rookies and a hungry pack of young drivers returning from last season’s rookie title fight. And let’s not forget the fiercely competitive Pro/Am class, where reigning champion Jani Käkelä is back to defend his crown.” 

Stay tuned for more sporting updates as we approach the season launch.