Iberian Supercars: Double GTX podiums and superb pace for Alba Vaquez at Jarama

Alba Vazquez continued her strong start to the 2026 Iberian Supercars season with arguably her most competitive weekend yet in the #22 Petrogold Ligier JS2R, securing GTX podium finishes in both races and demonstrating race-winning pace throughout the Jarama round.

Photo credits: Pedro Pinto

Alba Vazquez continued her strong start to the 2026 Iberian Supercars season with arguably her most competitive weekend yet in the #22 Petrogold Ligier JS2R, securing GTX podium finishes in both races and demonstrating race-winning pace throughout the Jarama round.

Building on her promising debut weekend with the Ligier at Portimão, the Spaniard immediately emerged among the GTX frontrunners at the second round.

Qualifying already hinted at what was to come: Vazquez set an excellent lap of 1:41.439 in Q1, securing third in GTX and seventh overall, while new teammate Txus Jalo Arrizabalaga qualified fifth in GTX in Q2 with a 1:43.018.

Starting Race 1 from third in GTX, Vazquez quickly settled into a strong rhythm: after a clean opening lap, she moved back into third in class by passing Rodrigo Pires' Porsche Cayman GT4 and immediately began setting competitive 1:44 lap times. As Antonio Almeida spun, Vazquez capitalized to climb into second in GTX by lap seven while continuing to pull away from her pursuers.

Her pace remained exceptional throughout the stint: Vazquez gained significantly on André Ferreira and inherited fifth overall when Ferreira pitted. Matching the pace of GTX leader Alejandro Iribas in the leading Ligier, she remained in contention before the pit window opened. Staying out longer than her rivals, she briefly inherited the GTX lead during the pit cycle before eventually pitting from fourth overall and first in class on lap 14.

Arrizabalaga rejoined third after the stops and faced late pressure from the recovering McLaren of Ivo Prada. An off-track excursion halved his advantage, but he stabilized the gap in the closing laps and successfully secured third in GTX and fifth overall, giving Vazquez her first GTX podium of the season.

Photo credits: Pedro Pinto

Race 2 began more dramatically as Arrizabalaga spun on the opening lap and dropped to the rear of the field, though fortunately avoided contact. He nevertheless fought back, climbing to fifth in GTX before the pit stop sequence and handing over to Vazquez.

Once in the car, Vazquez immediately went on the attack; hunting down Hobeika's McLaren for class position, Vazquez worked through traffic and Cup cars, passing Raposo and continuing to post highly competitive lap times. Running consistently in the 1:46 range, she eventually caught Hobeika and executed a decisive pass for third in GTX on lap 18.

Despite traffic from Porsche Cup machinery, Vazquez remained one of the fastest GTX runners in the closing stages, applying pressure to the cars ahead. She ultimately secured another third-place GTX finish and seventh overall, completing a superb double-podium weekend that puts her as one of the championship's leading contenders.

The championship now heads to the Vila Real street circuit in Portugal for the next round on 10-12 July.