Ultimate Cup Series: 2025 Calendar and Updates

During a press conference held in October 2024 during the fifth round of the year at Magny-Cours, the organizers of the Ultimate Cup Series, represented by Gregor Raymondis, Orion Cabrit, and Tom Turschwel, unveiled the updates for the 2025 season. While there are no major overhauls, there are still some noteworthy changes 😉

To learn more about the championship, you can also check out this article 📃

European Endurance Prototype Cup – Enter the NP02!

In 2022, a new prototype debuted in the Ultimate Cup Series: the Nova Proto NP02. Equipped with a Ford V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and weighing just 765 kg, the NP02 aims to revive interest in sports prototypes, and it has been a real success!

After a few years of coexistence with LMP3 and CN/EVO prototypes, only Nova NP02 cars will now be allowed in the European Endurance Prototype Cup.

The race format remains the same, with events ranging from 4 to 6 hours. Scoring will follow the FIA scale, with a bonus point for pole position and additional points for 6-hour races ⏱️

A new category, the Bronze Cup, dedicated to FIA Bronze-ranked drivers, is introduced. Vehicles competing in this category will display a distinctive "Bronze Cup" sticker.

Rearview cameras will be installed in all cars to improve visibility. Regarding tires, Goodyear replaces Michelin as the exclusive tire supplier for the series.

2024 Standings / Endurance Prototype Challenge

• NP02 - TROUILLET Eric and SANJUAN Luis (GRAFF)
• NP02 Ultimate - Denis Caillon and Philippe Thirion (COGEMO)
• LMP3 - GNOS Axel and KOLOVOS Georgios (Team Virage)

A New Series for LMP3: The European Sprint Prototype Cup

It’s confirmed: LMP3 prototypes will remain in the Ultimate Cup Series 🥳

A dedicated series for LMP3 Gen2 cars, in partnership with the ACO, will be launched under the name European Sprint Prototype Cup. The calendar will feature 5 rounds, excluding the Paul Ricard event in March.

The format will include two 90-minute free practice sessions, two 15-minute qualifying sessions, and two 55-minute races with a single driver and no pit stops.

Three classes will be available based on FIA classifications: Pro Cup (Gold and Platinum), Silver Cup, and Am Cup (Bronze).

To learn more about LMP3 performance and pricing, check out this article: "All you need to know about LMP3 : performance and pricing"

The Ultimate Formula Cup Becomes the Hoosier Formula Cup

Now renamed the Hoosier Formula Cup in reference to the tire manufacturer, the single-seater competition will exclusively feature Tatuus F3R T318 cars with 13-inch wheels and Alfa Romeo or Renault engines.

The format includes two 30-minute private practice sessions, two 15-minute qualifying sessions, and three races. To prepare for higher single-seater categories, drivers must use new tires in qualifying. Wearing the championship’s official suit is now mandatory.

Drivers will compete in rookie, gentleman, and team standings, with FIA-standard points and a bonus point for pole position.

The rookie champion will receive a €100,000 reward to join the European Endurance Prototype Cup, while the second-place finisher will have the opportunity to participate in Formula Regional European rookie tests. The third-place finisher will be awarded tires for the entire 2026 season.

2024 Standings / Ultimate Formula Cup

• F3 REGIONAL 13' - RICHER Enzo (FORMULA MOTORSPORT)
• F3 REGIONAL 17' - PIERRARD Didier (KRAFFT RACING)
• FR2.0 - BUCHER Alain (LAMO RACING)

Ultimate GT Endurance Cup: Simplifying the Categories

The Ultimate GT Endurance Cup will feature only four distinct categories in 2025: UCS1 (GT3, Vortex 2.0), UCS2 (Porsche Cup, Ferrari Challenge, Vortex 1.0), UCS3 (GT4), and UCS4 (Alpine Cup, Ligier JS2R, Ginetta GTA).

Each category will have its own classification, alongside the team championship. The format remains unchanged with 90-minute free practice sessions, three 15-minute qualifying sessions, and races lasting 4 or 6 hours ⏱️

🆕 A New Standings for Alpine A110 Cup 🆕

In 2025, a new classification will be introduced for Alpine A110 Cup cars as part of the Ultimate GT Endurance Cup. These cars will participate in 4- and 6-hour races, with a format allowing drivers to share the wheel. This series is part of Alpine's efforts to strengthen endurance racing while continuing to support its path toward international competitions 👍

Alpine A110 Cup cars will take part in the four Ultimate GT Endurance Cup rounds that do not overlap with the Alpine ELF Cup Series calendar. This includes major races such as those at Castellet and Magny-Cours. In addition to the competitive aspect, this series offers attractive prizes, with end-of-season credits of up to €10,000 to support participants for future seasons.

2024 Standings / Ultimate GT Endurance Cup

• UCS1 + Scratch - BOUVET Jean Bernard and PAGNY Jean Paul (TEAM VISIOM)
• UCS3 - DEROUINEAU Christophe, GOUVERNEUR Stéphane, and LUMINIER Jimmy (VORTEX)
• UCS4 - WASZCZINSKI Daniel (L'ESPACE BIENVENUE)
• UCS LIGHT - BOUNIE Julien, MARION Benoit, and MARTINEZ Olivier (CHAZEL TECHNOLOGIE)
• PORSCHE CUP - FAVRE Olivier and PENLOU Yann (2B AUTOSPORT)

Ultimate GT Sprint Cup: Stability Ahead!

The structure of the Ultimate GT Sprint Cup remains unchanged for 2025. UCS1 will feature GT3 and Vortex 2.0 cars, UCS2 will host Lamborghini Super Trofeo, Ferrari Challenge, and Vortex 1.0 cars, while UCS3 will be dedicated to GT4 vehicles.

In UCS4, we will find Alpine Cup, Ligier JS2R, Mitjet Supertourisme, and Ginetta GTA cars. The Porsche Cup category will group models 992 and their predecessors. Ferrari Challenge will also have a dedicated classification, named Ultimate Cavallino Tridente Cup.

After two 35-minute practice sessions, the two 15-minute qualifying sessions will award an additional point to the pole-sitter. Q1 will determine the grid for Race 1, while Q2 will set the grid for Race 2. The grids for Races 3 and 4 will be based on the results of Races 1 and 2, respectively. Each race will remain 25 minutes long.

Silver, Gold, or Platinum-ranked drivers will no longer be penalized with additional time. Standings will be determined by team and category, following the FIA points system.

2024 Standings / Ultimate GT Sprint Cup

• UCS1 - ATZORI Francesco (SR&R)
• UCS2 - HERNANDEZ Alfredo (BDR COMPETITION GRUPO PROM)
• UCS3 - SCHOFIELD Lyle (SR&R)
• UCS4 - ARRAOU Pierre (HERRERO RACING)
• UCS Light - PIDOUX Marine (SPEEDCAR)
• Porsche Cup - VANDEWOESTYNE Karl (2B AUTOSPORT)

Legends Cars Cup

Since 2023, the Legends Cars Cup has been part of the Ultimate Cup European Series. This will remain the case in 2025, with the creation of the "Racer" and "Racer Pro" categories, and still featuring four races per weekend.

2025 Calendar: A Comeback and a New Entry

In 2025, the championship will consist of 6 rounds, including 3 in France. The season will begin with winter tests at the Castellet circuit on February 27-28, before the first official round at the same venue from March 28-30.

In April, the teams will meet at Mugello from the 25th to the 27th. The Portimão race, after its success this year, will return from May 30 to June 1.

A new addition for the fall: the Motorland Aragon circuit will host the September round (5-7), replacing Hockenheim.

Finally, the last two stages will take place in France: at Magny-Cours from October 10 to 12, and the grand finale at Paul Ricard from November 7 to 9.