The opening round of the 2026 TCR European Endurance season is set to feature 20 drivers on the starting grid of its third installment – the first one together on track with the brand new GTC Endurance Challenge.
Ahead of the first race in Vallelunga, home team Brothers In Arms announced its fourth driver who will be competing in the opening round. Leonardo Leone joins the team to make his TCR European Endurance debut, as the Italian is set to partner his fellow countryman Dario Caso at the wheel of one of the team’s Cupra TCR DSG. Leone is the reigning RS Cup champion, a title he took after a fantastic run that included a win in Vallelunga, the track where he is set to make his first appearance in TCR European Endurance later this weekend. The Italian brings his experience in touring car racing to the table, in the hopes of helping Brothers In Arms to fight for podiums and race wins in the DSG class, as they gear up for their first full season in the championship promoted by Riza International.
Drivers will hit the ground running in Vallelunga on Friday 17 April, with two 40-minute free practice sessions scheduled at 14:10 and 16:50 local time respectively. Qualifying will instead take place on Saturday 18 April, with the first session scheduled at 9:00 local time and the second at 9:50 – both lasting 15 minutes. Stage-1 is set to begin later that day at 13:55 local time, whereas the second stage takes place on Sunday 19 April, when the green flag will be waived at 15:30 local time. Both stages will be broadcast live on the official YouTube channel of TCR TV and GO-TV, as well local channels such as Brazil’s Acelera GP and Germany’s PitwallTV, thus showcasing the captivating product of Riza International on a global scale.
