Kell-Macdonald Dominate GT Open Season Opener at Portimão

The 2025 International GT Open roared to life at the Algarve International Circuit, with the British duo of James Kell and Dean Macdonald delivering a commanding performance to claim victory in the first race of the season. Piloting their Greystone GT McLaren 720S, the pair picked up where they left off after their 2024 Monza 500 triumph, setting a strong tone for their championship ambitions.

“It feels incredible to start the season on top,” Kell said post-race. “We’re laser-focused on the title this year, and this win is the perfect launchpad.”

The race was a thrilling showcase of young talent and fierce competition. Kell and Macdonald faced stiff challenges from the Eastalent Racing Audi of reigning champions Simon Reicher and Christopher Haase, who mounted a late charge to secure second place. The GetSpeed Mercedes of Anthony Bartone and Fabian Schiller rounded out the podium in third after a race filled with intense battles.

The action kicked off with pole-sitter Schiller fending off Macdonald in a wheel-to-wheel duel through the opening corners. Schiller held the lead early, with Macdonald and a pack of contenders, including Mettler, B. Grove, and Neumann, hot on his heels. In the Am class, local favorite Miguel Ramos led the early stint for Garage 59.

A safety car deployment on lap 8, triggered by a collision between S. Jedlinski and Hernández, neutralized the field and erased Schiller’s slim lead. The restart and subsequent driver change window shuffled the order, with Kell emerging in front after the pit stops. Bartone, Haase, and Revesz engaged in a fierce scrap for the podium, with Haase ultimately prevailing for second. Revesz crossed the line third but was demoted to fourth after a 5-second penalty for contact with Bartone.

In the Pro-Am category, Valentin Pierburg and Dominik Baumann steered their SPS Mercedes to a hard-fought victory, holding off the Car Collection Porsche of ‘Hash’ and Fontana. The Am class saw Gino Forgione and Michele Rugolo of AF Corse’s Ferrari 296 overtake Ramos and Mark Sansom’s Garage 59 McLaren to clinch the win.

Revesz-Cairoli Triumph in Thrilling GT Open Race 2 at Portimão

The second race of the 2025 International GT Open at the Algarve International Circuit delivered a masterclass performance by Levente Revesz and Matteo Cairoli, who clinched their maiden series victory in the Team Motopark Mercedes. The Hungarian-Italian duo’s flawless drive propelled them to the top of the provisional championship standings, capping an electrifying weekend in Portugal.

“It’s an unreal feeling to take our first GT Open win,” Cairoli said. “The car was perfect, and we pushed hard to make this happen. Leading the championship is a bonus!”

The podium showcased the series’ rising stars, with British youngsters Zak Meakin and Michael Porter securing second for Optimum Motorsport’s McLaren, followed closely by Tom Lebbon and Tom Emson in the Elite Motorsport Ferrari. The race highlighted a diverse top three, with Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari all represented.

Under sunny skies, the race kicked off with pole-sitter Alex Fontana holding the lead in his Car Collection Porsche, fending off challenges from Aron and Christopher Haase. Fontana built an impressive 8-second gap by lap 10, while Aron and Haase engaged in a gripping duel for second, their cars nose-to-tail for much of the first stint. Behind them, Revesz, Porter, and others kept the pressure on in a tightly packed field.

The driver change window opened on lap 14, shaking up the order. Post-pit stops, ‘Hash’ (Fontana’s teammate) led, but Revesz and Cairoli steadily closed the gap. By lap 27, Cairoli surged into the lead, with Porter hot on his heels. A dramatic finish saw the chequered flag drop just milliseconds before the race time expired, prompting Cairoli to complete an extra lap for safety, though the positions held firm.

In Pro-Am, ‘Hash’ and Fontana celebrated their first class win, outpacing the SPS Mercedes of Valentin Pierburg and Dominik Baumann. Local hero Miguel Ramos thrilled the home crowd, partnering with Mark Sansom to claim Am class honors in their Garage 59 McLaren. The Team Thor Porsche of Audunn Gudmunsson and Thorvaldur Gissurarson, the first Icelandic duo in GT Open history, impressed with a second-place finish in Am.

Championship Picture

After two rounds, Revesz and Cairoli lead the overall standings with 23 points, followed by Race 1 winners James Kell and Dean Macdonald (20 points) and Simon Reicher and Christopher Haase (18 points). In Pro-Am, ‘Hash’-Fontana and Pierburg-Baumann are tied at 18 points, while Ramos-Sansom top the Am class with 18 points.

Photos: Gianluca Sciarra / Fotospeedy / GT Open