The 2026 Eurocup-3 season is set to begin this weekend at the iconic Circuit Paul Ricard, marking the start of the championship’s fourth campaign and the first of three events this year held alongside the prestigious European Le Mans Series (ELMS). The season opener at Le Castellet promises a milestone moment for the series, with a full 30-car grid and an increasingly competitive international field ready to take on one of Europe’s most technical venues.
Following an intense Spanish Winter Championship that set the tone for the year. the focus now shifts to the main season, where new rivalries and storylines are ready to unfold on the global stage.
A full grid and new teams ready for the challenge
Eurocup-3 arrives in France with a maximum-capacity grid of 30 cars, underlining the strong momentum of the championship. Among the key developments is the official debut in the regular season of four teams: Hitech Grand Prix, Double R Racing, TC Racing and Tecnicar.
All four outfits already showed their potential during the Spanish Winter Championship, gaining valuable experience in Eurocup-3 machinery. Now, they step into the main series aiming to establish themselves immediately against a highly competitive field.
As for the schedule, Friday will be a busy day with two Official Pre-Season Test sessions taking place ahead of the two Qualifying sessions, which will be held back-to-back from 17:00 to 17:20 and 17:25 to 17:45.
On Saturday, Race 1 will get underway at 13:05, followed by the Sprint Race at 16:50, while Sunday will see the weekend conclude with Race 3, kicking off the day at 09:00.
Paul Ricard: speed, precision and overtaking opportunities
The Circuit Paul Ricard provides a unique and demanding challenge for drivers and engineers alike. The full Grand Prix layout measures 5.842 km and features 15 corners, combining long high-speed sections with technical sequences .
One of the defining features of the track is the Mistral Straight, one of the longest straights in European motorsport, which creates prime overtaking opportunities—especially under braking into the chicane or the following heavy braking zones . The circuit’s layout requires a delicate balance between top speed and aerodynamic efficiency, as a significant portion of the lap is spent at full throttle .
The final sector adds another layer of complexity, with a sequence of technical corners that reward precision and traction, often proving decisive for lap time and race strategy . Drivers must adapt quickly between flat-out sections and more intricate corner combinations, making setup compromises a key factor throughout the weekend.
In addition, Paul Ricard’s distinctive run-off areas and flat profile allow drivers to push to the limit, encouraging close racing and strategic battles across the field. With reigning drivers’ champion Mattia Colnaghi moving on to the next step in his career, the 2026 season begins with the spotlight on a new generation ready to rise.
At Paul Ricard, the fight to crown new kings of Eurocup-3 officially gets underway.
A new chapter begins
The opening round at Paul Ricard not only launches the Eurocup-3 season, but also marks a significant step forward in the championship’s growth, sharing the stage with ELMS and reinforcing its role as a key platform in the single-seater ladder.
With a full grid, new teams entering the fight and a technically demanding circuit setting the stage, all ingredients are in place for an exciting start to the 2026 Eurocup-3 season.
