Carrera Cup Provides “Unique Opportunity” for F1 Events

Photo: Jessica Johnk/Porsche

In the midst of a milestone fifth season, Porsche Carrera Cup North America is back for a third season as a support series to Formula 1 races in North America. This year, all three of the championship classes will appear in doubleheader rounds at Miami, Montreal and Austin.

Carrera Cup North America’s first foray into the Formula 1 paddock came in May 2023 when it ran a doubleheader at Miami International Autodrome.

Miami and Circuit of The Americas were on the calendar during that 2023 season, and the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal was added to the calendar for the 2024 season.

In 2025, all three events return, providing an unmatched calendar for a North America-based championship.

That includes this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 13-15 and the U.S. Grand Prix at COTA on Oct. 17-19.

All three events are part of the eight round, 16-race schedule for the season.

“Our goal has always been to put together the best possible schedule that brings the most interest to our championship,” said Porsche Motorsport North America President and CEO Volker Holzmeyer.

“These races bring an additional element of competition on the track and provide a special opportunity off the track. It’s a unique opportunity, and one we’re happy to provide for our competitors.”

The Carrera Cup North America races are a variation on a European standard, where the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup has long been a support series of Formula 1 weekends.

The 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars are the same platform used in Supercup, and have proven to be a launching pad for successful sports car racing careers.

In total, four drivers this season have a chance to add to their win total at F1 rounds.

Riley Dickinson swept the rounds at both Miami and COTA during his 2023 championship, giving him four wins, and once again leads the 2025 title hunt with his Kellymoss team.

Zachary Vanier and JDX Racing grabbed two wins last year, the first in race two at Miami and the second during race one at COTA.

Yves Baltas earned a rainy win at Montreal a season ago, while Ryan Yardley and Topp Racing are the defending Race 2 winners at COTA.

Class winners take on extra importance during these weekends as well.

The races take on extra stature for Pro-Am and Masters class drivers who wish to maximize their race seasons.

Though he only ran select events in 2024, Scott Blind and his Ruckus Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup scored a Masters class victory in the finale at COTA.

“I’ve always loved my time racing Porsche single-make Championships, but one of the reasons I put a focus on Carrera Cup North America this season was the schedule,” Blind said.

“We get the best IMSA races but we also get three opportunities to step into the Formula 1 paddock. As a race fan first, that’s a really special opportunity.

“I’ve probably missed my chance to be a Formula One driver, but running on those weekends in front of those crowds in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is the next best thing and I hope I can earn some more wins this year.”

Blind swept the season opener at Sebring and has an excellent chance to add to his total this week.