Fabian Schiller celebrates breakthrough GT World Challenge Europe win in Portimão: "It's been a long time coming"

Fabian Schiller, Ralf Aron and Maxi Götz brought the #17 GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 over the finish line in P1 after dominating the largest part of the final GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS race of the season at Portimão. Schiller raced the last stint and clinched his first GT World Challenge Europe win.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Schiller tells GT REPORT after the race in Portimão. The winner of the ADAC Ravenol 24 Hours of Nürburgring has added another highlight to his 2026 motorsport season. “Obviously we were fast all year long. We were fast in 2025 as well, but could never put it together into the race,” he explains.

“To finally make it happen today in the final race is incredible. I’m just proud of everyone in the team. Everyone has worked so hard for so many years. Everyone lives for winning,” Schiller continues. “It’s just amazing to finally finish it off and pay the boys back for all of their hard work.”

‘Before the stint I was a little nervous’

Schiller and his teammates have been on the pace the whole weekend already. During the second free practice it seemed to come together really well, after which they drove to P2 in qualifying. They split the Porsches of Boutsen VDS Racing and Lionspeed GP.

Directly from the start of the race, Götz put the pressure on. Their pace combined with the right strategy was the key to unlock race winning magic. Aron drove the car into the night after Götz handed it over to him, and then it was up to Schiller to finish it.

“I was happy once I got into the car, because then I felt like everything was a little more calm and under control. Before the stint I was a little nervous!” he laughs.

The final stint was a bit chaotic as multiple incidents caused Full Course Yellows and even a Safety Car, as the beached #46 BMW M4 GT3 and the stranded #96 Lamborghini Temerario GT3 interrupted the race.

“I was happy I was in the car and didn’t have to watch it from the outside,” Schiller smiles.

So, big party tonight? “Of course!”