The Final Showdown: 2025 Prototype Winter Series
The 2025 Prototype Winter Series is set to reach its climax at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, following an intense and dramatic weekend at Aragon. The series has been dominated by Konrad Motorsport’s Danny Soufi, but the final event promises a thrilling conclusion with all eyes on whether Soufi can secure the championship.
Race 1: Soufi’s熟悉的胜利模式
The first 50-minute race of the Aragon weekend unfolded in a familiar pattern for Soufi. Starting from pole position in his Ligier JSP320, he led from the start, establishing a strong early lead. High Class Racing’s Philip Lindberg settled into second place, with CLX Motorsport’s Quentin Joseph in third. However, the race was not without its challenges. DKR Engineering’s Jon Brownson had a difficult start, spinning at Turn 1 on the first lap, and later colliding with Racing Experience’s Wolfgang Payr at Turn 16, sending Payr into a spin just before the pit window.
A communication issue between High Class Racing and Lindberg cost the team a podium, as they missed the pit window and received a penalty. Lindberg found himself just ahead of Soufi after the pit stop, nearly catching the American off guard at Turn 3, where Soufi locked the front axle while braking harder than expected. Despite the close call, Soufi managed to maintain his lead, taking another win and extending his championship lead over the CLX Motorsport pair to 41 points. CLX Motorsport’s David Droux brought the #87 Ligier home in second place after taking over from Joseph, while Matthias Jakobsen of Racing Experience secured the third spot, marking the team’s first podium of the season.
Race 2: DKR Engineering’s Surprise Victory
Sunday morning’s second race brought a rare defeat for Soufi, as DKR Engineering emerged victorious. The race was contested in slippery conditions, with DKR’s Laurents Horr driving solo as Jon Brownson sat out due to illness. Starting from pole, CLX Motorsport’s David Droux led the early stages, but the treacherous weather made traction a challenge. Horr quickly made progress, passing Soufi and then Droux to take the lead.
Horr’s mastery of the Duqueine in the wet conditions was evident as he built a significant advantage during the first stint. Despite the longer pit stop due to the pitstop handicap system, Horr returned to the circuit in a strong position, just a few seconds behind Joseph. CLX Motorsport’s Joseph briefly led the race, but Horr and Soufi soon overtook him. Despite Soufi’s best efforts, Horr maintained a lead of more than a dozen seconds for the final phase of the race, securing the first Prototype Winter Series victory for DKR Engineering.
Soufi finished second, further extending his points lead over the CLX Motorsport pairing of Joseph and Droux. Joseph drove the car home in third, while Lindberg of High Class Racing came in fourth, followed by the Payr/Jakobsen duo.
Barcelona: The Ultimate Test
Soufi heads into the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya finale with a 44-point advantage and just 50 points left to score. His closest rivals, Joseph and Droux of CLX Motorsport, will need a combination of Soufi’s misfortune and their own strong performance to secure the championship. The pair will also need to remain vigilant to stay ahead of DKR Engineering in the points standings, particularly after Horr’s victory at Aragon.
The competition is set to intensify at Barcelona, with a second Konrad Motorsport car joining the grid, alongside the return of SPV Racing for the final two races of the 2025 season. DKR Engineering remains optimistic that Jon Brownson will be fit to race again, adding another layer of complexity to the championship battle.
The Road Ahead
As the teams and drivers prepare for the final event, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is known for its challenging layout and can be unpredictable, particularly in varying weather conditions. Soufi’s dominance has been a hallmark of the series, but the victories by Horr and the consistent performance of CLX Motorsport have shown that the championship is far from a foregone conclusion.
The final race will be a test of skill, strategy, and resilience. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely as the 2025 Prototype Winter Series heads towards its thrilling conclusion. Will Soufi’s strong form continue, or will the pressure of the championship lead to a different outcome? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is set to witness an unforgettable finale.
A Season of Highlights
The 2025 Prototype Winter Series has been a season of highs and lows, with Soufi’s consistent performance standing out as a highlight. However, the unexpected twists and turns, such as DKR Engineering’s victory and the challenges faced by other competitors, have made the series all the more exciting. As the teams and drivers prepare for the final event, the anticipation is palpable. The championship battle is far from over, and the circuit at Barcelona will provide the perfect stage for a dramatic conclusion to a remarkable season.
