Perfect Start: Watari’s Bahrain Double Sets the Pace for Porsche Carrera Cup Season
Bahrain witnessed a thrilling start to the 2025/2026 Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East as Taichi Watari powered to a stunning double victory at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. The opening round was held alongside the Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain, captivating motorsport fans throughout the weekend.
Watari clinched his second win of the round on Saturday morning under warm, sunny skies, storming from pole position to finish the 12-lap race in 24 minutes and 55.743 seconds. The Japanese driver’s commanding performance added to his triumph in Friday’s night race, also from pole.
Crossing the line with a comfortable margin of 17.741 seconds ahead of Cedric Chassang, Watari showcased sheer dominance throughout the weekend. Khalid Al Ahmadi rounded off the overall podium, finishing just 0.215 seconds behind Chassang.
Both Watari and Al Ahmadi competed in the Pro class, while Chassang, representing the Pro-Am class, celebrated victory in his category. In the same Pro category, Alexandra Fatieva secured third, while Sam Shahin and Banksy joined Chassang on the Pro-Am podium. In the Masters class, Christer Andru took top honors ahead of Peter Pricka and Mark J. Thomas.
The 2025/2026 Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East season features six action-packed rounds across the Gulf region, including Bahrain, Lusail (Qatar), Dubai, Abu Dhabi (UAE), and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).
The series will return to Bahrain International Circuit for the fifth and penultimate round from April 10–12, 2026, in support of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
Fans flocked to the circuit over the weekend, enjoying a variety of activities including the Open Paddock experience, pit-lane walks, and World Endurance Championship driver autograph sessions, where motorsport enthusiasts captured memorable moments with their favorite racers. The lively entertainment zone added to the excitement, wrapping up a weekend filled with adrenaline, family fun, and high-speed drama.
Related Posts