PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EAST GEARS UP FOR SECOND STELLAR APPEARANCE AT FORMULA 1® QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2025

As anticipation builds for the thrilling conclusion to the FORMULA 1® 2025 season, Lusail International Circuit (LIC) is proud to confirm the return of the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East (PCCME) as one of two electrifying support races for the FORMULA 1® QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2025.

Running from Friday 28 November to Sunday 30 November, the one-make series will once again join forces with the FIA Formula 2™ Championship, delivering non-stop wheel to wheel racing on the penultimate weekend of the year. This marks the PCCME's second consecutive outing as an official F1® support race at LIC, building on the resounding success of its 2024 debut that saw German driver Janne Stiak dominate proceedings with a double victory.

Porsche's flagship one-make series, now in its third season under the Carrera Cup banner, unleashes the full potential of the iconic 911 GT3 Cup (type 992) cars. With identical machinery ensuring no technical edges, the focus is purely on driver skill, strategy, and teamwork in intense, sprint style battles across the 5.38 km circuit. The series features three main classes, Pro, Pro Am, and Masters plus GCC and Rookie classifications, providing a level playing field for emerging talents from the region and beyond. Qatari driver Abdulla Al Khelaifi returns this year, stepping up from Pro Am class to the Pro category with QMMF. After his standout P3 overall and class victory in last year’s Race 2 at LIC, exemplifies the home-grown potential the series nurtures.

Rooted in a rich legacy, the PCCME enters its 17th year of collaboration between Lechner Racing and Porsche in the Middle East. Launched as the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East in 2009, it evolved into the Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East in 2019 before ascending to full Carrera Cup status. Over the years, it has launched careers of regional stars like Abdulaziz Al Faisal, Khaled Al Qubaisi, and Al Faisal Al Zubair, offering unparalleled coaching, testing, and race experience to nurture local talent alongside international pros.

After a commanding double victory in Bahrain’s season opener, newcomer Taichi Watarai and the Seven X Seven team from Japan have set an early benchmark for the season, while Caleb Sumich showed impressive pace despite a weekend of misfortune. In ProAm, Cedric Chassang, Australia’s Sam Shahin, and Japan’s Bankcy delivered standout performances, immediately positioning themselves as key contenders in a fiercely competitive field. With strong GCC momentum from Khaled Alahmadi, Masters leader Krister Andero, and local hero Abdulla Al Khelaifi—a breakout star of 2024—expected to return, the championship is gearing up for a thrilling season filled with raw speed, class battles, and rapidly emerging rivalries.

The PCCME slots perfectly into a stacked support race calendar. These high stakes, one make single seater showdown with 22 identical cars gives tomorrow's F1® hopefuls a global stage to impress.

Fans can refer to the below schedule for PORSCHE CARRERA CUP MIDDLE EAST 2025:

Friday

First Practice Session 12:50 – 13:35

Second Practice Session 18:00 – 18:45

Saturday

Qualifying Session 15:20 – 15:50

First Race 22:45 – 23:15

Sunday

Second Race 13:50 – 14:20 

Fans eager to immerse themselves in the FORMULA 1® QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2025 should act fast as only limited tickets are available at https://tickets.lcsc.qa.