Carla Debard takes class podium in Ultimate GT Sprint Cup finale at Le Castellet

Carla Debard concluded her learning-focused weekend in the Porsche 992 GT3 Cup machine at the Ultimate Cup season finale in Le Castellet with solid pace for the overall top ten, a class podium, and valuable experience to carry forward.

Photo credits: Ultimate Cup

Carla Debard continued her learning journey in the Porsche 992 GT3 Cup car at the Ultimate Cup season finale at Le Castellet, achieving a podium finish in the Porsche Cup class in the final race after showing consistent pace for a top-three result throughout the weekend.

The young French driver has been a prominent competitor in the FFSA GT Championship over recent years, progressing through the ranks from the FFSA TC championship to GT4 machinery in 2023. Driving the BMW M4 GT4 for Debard Automobiles, she finished third in the AM class before moving up to the ProAm category in 2024, teaming up with Simon Gachet.

After claiming a class podium and her first overall podium in the Nogaro season opener, Debard went on to secure five top-10 finishes overall and an additional class podium at Dijon.

Toward the end of the season, she debuted in the Porsche 992 GT3 Cup machine, marking a significant progression from her BMW M4 GT4 experience, especially in terms of the car’s lack of ABS.

Debard in fact joined the Ultimate GT Sprint Cup grid at Magny Cours and immediately proved competitive, consistently running near the top in practice sessions. She scored a third place in class and sixth overall as her best finishes during her debut weekend.

Returning in the #81 Porsche for the season finale at Le Castellet, the event traditionally closing out the Ultimate Cup championships, Carla focused on further developing her skills with the new car and making additional progress.

Debard had a strong start to the weekend, consistently placing in the top 10 overall in practice. After a productive Thursday test session where she ranked in the top five, she maintained momentum into Friday, setting the ninth- and tenth-fastest times in the first two practice sessions, both clocking in at 2:11.4.

In qualifying, she set a time of 2:10.186 in Q1, securing P10 overall, and improved by a tenth in Q2, but ultimately placed P11 for the start of the races.

The first race took place in rainy conditions, with a start behind the safety car due to a wet track. Starting from P10 overall, drivers found the challenging conditions tricky, with multiple cars spinning even before the green flag flew. She initially dropped to 18th overall, but gradually recovered to 16th by lap 3.

After Dominique Guillemaut's #122 Porsche halted in the pits, Carla gained positions but encountered trouble on lap 4 when her car spun in the third sector, dropping her to 20th. She rejoined the race and began to recover, running competitive lap times and steadily improving her position.

By lap 6, Carla set a 2:34.1 lap, gaining over 10 seconds on the car ahead. She passed both Arraou and Marchisio on the same lap, reclaiming P18.

On the final lap, she closed a further 5-second gap to overtake Adrien Stern, finishing in P17 overall and fifth in class in a chaotic first race.

Photo credits: Jules Benichou

In fully dry conditions, Debard started from P11 overall and third in class for race 2. A tricky start saw her drop to P14, but she recovered quickly, lapping faster than the cars ahead and closing in on Georges Cabanne and Eric Mouez, who lost positions on lap 4.

Carla passed Goujat one lap later, advancing to P13 overall and maintaining fourth in class. She then cleared Mouez, continuing to lap under the 2:13 mark, and soon caught Cabanne’s Lamborghini, challenging for her starting position with 10 minutes to go.

Attempting a move on lap 8, Carla had to back off, coming under threat from Mouez’s Mercedes. They traded positions briefly before Carla reclaimed P12. She continued to apply pressure on Cabanne and made her move on lap 10, taking P11.

However, a track limit penalty required her to open a gap to retain the position. With a clear track, she clocked a 2:11 lap, widening the gap. Carla crossed the finish line in P11, later promoted to P10 overall due to Mouez encountering trouble on the final lap, finishing fourth in class.

Race 3 took place in overcast conditions with the sun starting to set. Carla lined up in P11 overall and had a strong start, advancing to P9 on the first lap and holding third in class. Despite her good pace, she slipped to P12 overall and fourth in the Porsche Cup class by lap 2.

Involved in close battles, Carla pursued Michellier, who passed the #89 Porsche of Rigaud ahead of her. Debard, a few tenths behind, was poised to make a move but couldn't complete it in the fast Signes turn. She continued to trail the #89 Porsche closely, now joined by Eric Mouez, who passed her on lap 10 after a small mistake left a gap.

Debard attempted to regain her position but spun at Turn 1, dropping several positions. She rejoined in 18th overall, ultimately finishing fifth in class. Despite a promising start, she was unable to capitalize fully on her pace.

The final sprint race on Sunday morning was Carla’s last opportunity for a top-10 finish, starting from P9 on the grid. A crash at Turn 2 involving Dezoteux and Porsche Cup class leader Vanderwoestyne forced other drivers to take evasive action. Debard managed to avoid the chaos, moving up to fifth overall and second in class as the safety car was deployed at the end of the first lap.

Following the restart on lap 3, Debard pushed for a class podium, with the Ferrari of Lacore behind her and Perrin leading the class. Berthet and Lacore eventually overtook her, both from higher classes, leaving Carla in contention for the Porsche Cup podium with Perrin and Rigaud.

While solidly in second, Carla unfortunately spun at the Virage de l'Hotel corner, dropping her to 15th overall. Nevertheless, she retained third in class, with other Porsches also encountering issues.

Determined to recover, Carla overtook Cioni’s Ligier JS2R for overall position and closed an 11-second gap to pass Pozmentier’s Ligier, finishing P13 overall and securing her first podium finish of the weekend with third in the Porsche Cup class.

With two class podiums in her Ultimate GT Sprint Cup appearances, Carla demonstrated both speed and adaptability, gaining valuable experience in a learning-oriented weekend. She aims to carry this progress forward into her 2025 racing plans.