The Spanish Winter Championship launches its second season this weekend at the spectacular Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, as both E4 and E3 Spanish Winter Championship get their 2026 campaigns underway. Nearly 70 drivers across the two categories will gather at the Portuguese venue, forming a truly international grid and reinforcing the championship’s position as one of Europe’s leading winter development platforms.
Following a successful inaugural edition in 2025, the series now looks for new champions after titles were secured by Strauven in E4 and Maciej Gladyzs in E3. With both champions having moved on, a new generation of talent is ready to step forward and fight for winter glory.
One of the key storylines heading into the weekend is the natural progression within the ladder system, as the 2025 F4 Spanish Championship champion and vice-champion move up to E3. The category is further strengthened by the arrival of four new teams: TC Racing, Tecnicar, Hitech and Double R, adding depth and competitiveness to an already highly competitive field.
The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve provides the perfect setting for the season opener. Designed by Ricardo Pina, the 4.653 km circuit is renowned for its dramatic elevation changes, blind crests and flowing yet technical sections. Fast sequences are combined with heavy braking zones, while the iconic final right-hander reached after a steep downhill plunge completes one of the most demanding laps on the calendar. Portimão consistently challenges both drivers and engineers, making it an ideal benchmark at the start of the year.
Track action begins on Friday with 120 mins of testing for E4 and 80 for E3, giving teams valuable preparation time before competitive sessions start. Saturday will feature Qualifying 1 (09:00 local time for E4 and 10:00 for E3), followed by Race 1 (11:00 E4 and 12:15 E3) and the afternoon Sprint Races (13:50 E4 and 14:55 E3). Sunday will open with Qualifying 2 (09:00 local time for E4 and 9:55 for E3), before Race 2 of E4 at 10:50 and Race 2 of E3 at 12:00, bringing the weekend to a close.
With six races across the two categories, a globally diverse grid and several key storylines already unfolding, Portimão sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and highly competitive second season of the Spanish Winter Championship.
