Grant takes class win, podiums for Camps, Sanchez and Danielsson as Queiroz claims female trophy title
- RACERS
- 5 hours ago
- 6 min read
The Porsche Sprint Challenge Iberica season finale at Estoril saw strong performances from Chloe Grant and new teammate Alexia Danielsson, who collected a class win in the second sprint and second in the endurance race - as well as Laura Camps and Maria Sanchez who battled for the 991 podiums, while Francisca Queiroz cemented the Female Trophy title with a win in the 992 AM class in the endurance.
The season finale at Estoril delivered a dramatic and eventful weekend for the women of the Porsche Sprint Challenge Iberica, marked by car and line up changes, chaotic sprint races, and a red-flagged endurance finale.
Chloe Grant and newcomer Alexia Danielsson however showed strong potential together despite some early technical setbacks; Laura Camps and Maria Sanchez continued their development with more 991 AM podiums, and Francisca Queiroz wrapped up her consistent season by securing the Female Trophy title.
The final round of the Porsche Sprint Challenge Iberica brought in fact another line-up change for recent race winner Chloe Grant, who had claimed victory last time out at Jerez with a perfect weekend and now shared the #37 machine with Swedish racer Alexia Danielsson.
Danielsson arrived in Estoril off the back of a brilliant debut in Porsche Sprint Challenge Scandinavia—winning on her first weekend in the series and in her first GT outing—while racing at the same time in single-seaters in Nordic4.
Grant and Danielsson geared up to take on the weekend aboard the Monteiro Competições machine, with Danielsson stepping in for the first practice session as she drove the GT3 Cup for the first time. However, the weekend started on a difficult note as technical issues halted the pair for the rest of Friday. Despite the team’s efforts, repairs could not be completed, forcing the all-female duo to jump in a 991.2 GT3 Cup car from AF Motorsport for the remainder of the event.
Spanish driver Laura Camps returned to the Porsche Sprint Challenge Iberica grid after making her GT racing debut only a few weeks earlier at Jerez, where she stood on the class podium in her first races in the Porsche. Camps then impressed with a one-off appearance in the Ultimate Cup GT Endurance round at Le Castellet, taking a class win in a Porsche Cayman GT4 in her first ever four-hour race. Back in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Iberica, she once again shared the #36 Porsche 991 GT3 Cup with compatriot Maria Sanchez.
Meanwhile, Canadian rookie Brieana Macdonald, who had shown major progress over just two weekends, was forced to miss the season finale. After her contact with the barriers in the closing minutes of the final Jerez race, her car could not be repaired in time, ending her season prematurely—though she is expected to target a return with a full program next year.
In qualifying, Danielsson was out on track first and delivered a strong first session, clocking a 1:36.823 that placed her third among the 991 entries and ninth overall. Francisca Queiroz secured 13th overall with a 1:38.220, ranking tenth among the 992 cars. Maria Sanchez opened the weekend for the #36 crew with a 1:48.415, taking fifth in the 991 class and third in the AM sub-category.
In Q2, it was Grant’s turn to shine, as the former F1 Academy driver put in a positive 1:36.656 to take eighth overall and top position among the 991 runners. Queiroz recorded a 1:39.310 for P11 overall, while Camps was left at the back after all her representative lap times were deleted for track limits.
Race 1Â opened with dramatic scenes at sundown, as the first sprint began with a heavy multi-car accident on the main straight that sent several cars into the pit wall and immediately triggered a safety car. Rookie Danielsson, taking the start for the #37 crew, survived the chaotic opening and climbed from ninth overall to fifth, running second among the 991 competitors. Queiroz gained two spots to P11, and Sanchez emerged 17th overall, all avoiding the initial carnage.
After a brief clean-up, racing resumed with just under 12 minutes left. Danielsson maintained her position behind the #97 of Barros, but another accident involving Hernandez brought a second caution on lap four. Queiroz slipped behind Leandro Martins, while Sanchez held P17 overall and fourth in 991 as Hernandez dropped out of the class top five.
A final restart with two minutes remaining saw Danielsson come under pressure from faster 992 machinery; after a brief trip through the gravel she fell to eighth overall but remained second in 991 and top-placed female driver. Post-race, however, she was disqualified for being underweight at scrutineering, a harsh conclusion after a standout debut run. Queiroz completed the race in P10 overall, eighth in 992, while Sanchez finished 16th overall and fourth among the 991 entries, securing second in her sub-category.
For Race 2Â on Sunday morning, Grant took over the #37 Porsche from seventh overall, while Camps started from the pit lane at the back of the 991 group after losing her Q2 laps. Queiroz lined up sixth in 992 AM and tenth overall for the second 20-minute sprint.
Grant’s launch was clean and decisive, slotting into eighth overall while retaining the 991 class lead. Queiroz held P11 overall, and Camps immediately began a remarkable charge from the rear. The Spanish teenager carved her way through Fonseca, King, Carvalho and Nascimento, climbing to fifth in the 991 order by lap four and 16th overall as she chased Rocha.
Grant maintained strong pace in the mid-1:37s and managed her two-second margin over Mora, who had risen to second in the 991 class. Camps continued her progress, passing Rocha’s 992 machine and climbing to 15th overall. Grant meanwhile claimed ninth overall and victory in the 991 AM class, also securing the Female Trophy win.
Queiroz finished 11th overall, tenth in 992 and sixth in AM. Laura Camps completed an excellent comeback with six positions gained, finishing fifth among 991 cars and second in the 991 AM category, earning a well-deserved podium.
The final race of the season, the 50-minute endurance contest, featured a driver change and one more opportunity for championship positions to be settled. Queiroz started from P9 overall, having already clinched the Female Trophy title. Danielsson took the opening stint for the #37 entry from tenth overall and third in the 991 category, while Sanchez began 18th overall in the #36 Porsche.
The race opened with intense battles throughout the field; Danielsson was briefly forced into the gravel and fell to 15th overall, though she quickly recovered a spot from Zouani and held third in 991. Queiroz stayed inside the top ten until Barros overtook, while Sanchez dropped to 19th but soon repassed the 992 of Martins. Ahead, Danielsson continued to charge, clearing Garcia’s 992 on lap two before passing Miritta for second in 991 with her personal best times.
A massive crash for Barros brought out the first safety car, with barrier repairs required. Under caution, Danielsson had climbed to the 991 lead in 11th overall, in an impressive recovery. Queiroz sat tenth overall, leading the female rankings, while Sanchez held fourth in 991 and 17th overall.
With 29 minutes to go, the race resumed just as the pit window approached. Danielsson made a superb restart, passing Queiroz and re-entering the overall top ten. Staying out, she cycled up to sixth overall before pitting on lap 12. Queiroz extended her stint further, briefly taking the overall lead before stopping on lap 13. Danielsson then handed the #37 car to Chloe Grant, while Camps climbed aboard the #36 Porsche.
The race soon saw a crucial title fight at the front between Menendez and Alves, as Queiroz rejoined in fifth overall. Grant emerged second in the 991 class after serving the pit-stop handicap due to the previous podium, with Inocencio now leading the category in eighth overall. Camps returned to the track in 17th overall and fourth among the 991 entries.
Another heavy crash—this time for Rocha’s #13 Porsche—scattered debris across the circuit and brought out the safety car, followed by a red flag. With repairs impossible before time expired, the race was not restarted, ending the season under neutralization.
Queiroz secured fifth overall and won in the AM category, capping her year as the Female Trophy champion. Grant and Danielsson wrapped up their first weekend together with P11 overall and second in the 991 class, delivering a double podium for Grant, who would have possibly caught back the class lead without the red flag.
Camps and Sanchez finished fourth in 991, narrowly missing a podium but again securing second in the 991 AM sub-category.
The season finale showcased the strong potential of the Grant-Danielsson partnership, both displaying closely matched pace through a challenging weekend. Camps continued to accumulate valuable mileage and deliver convincing performances in her early GT career, while Queiroz concluded a consistent campaign with a well-deserved female trophy title. All women competing in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Iberica closed the year with encouraging pace and a foundation to build on as they look ahead to their next steps in sportscar racing.
