The penultimate round of the 2025 season took competitors to Circuit Paul Ricard for a final trip in France.

Race 1 : Castelli comes up big

Fighting for the title, Gabriele Torelli (Rangoni Corse) and David Pouget led the way in the free practice sessions, each dominating a session on Friday. On Saturday, the Frenchman set the fastest time in the final seconds of qualifying, while his rival started from sixth position after receiving a four-place grid drop for a third reprimand.

As a precautionary measure given the impressive size of the grid, the race began after a lap behind the safety car. Gaël Castelli, in third place, overtook Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) and then David Pouget to take the lead on lap three. Gabriele Torelli also made a quick comeback and moved into the top three before running wide. The Italian then received a 25-second penalty for causing contact in his very hard-fought duel with Alexandre Finkelstein (GPA Racing).

Gaël Castelli held off pressure from David Pouget, and the two pulled away from the field. Although their pursuers caught up in the final minutes of the race, Gaël Castelli held his nerve to score his second victory of the season. Challenger Alex Lancellotti finished third, ahead of Alexandre Finkelstein, with Nicolas Milan right behind. Gabriele Torelli, who was sixth at the chequered flag, dropped to 19th place after his penalty. Anthony Jurado (Rangoni Corse) and Alexandre Albouy (GPA Racing) followed, whilst the top ten remained hotly contested until the final corner, with Filip Kunčer (Milan Compétition) getting the nod ahead of Junior Nicky Taylor (GPA Racing) and Ben Colburn (Westbourne Motorsport). Sixteenth-placed Mickaël Carrée dominated the Gentlemen category.

Race 2 : Pouget wins, Castelli keeps the suspense going

With his back against the wall to defend his crown, Gabriele Torelli snatched pole position from Francesco Pagano (ASD Scuderia Venanzo), who produced his best result in the exercise. With his first chance to seal the title, David Pouget qualified in third position. Gaël Castelli, who had won the day before, qualified eighth.

After an observation lap behind the safety car, Gabriele Torelli retained the lead while David Pouget found an opening on Francesco Pagano. The Frenchman then attacked Gabriele Torelli, but Francesco Pagano slotted in between the two before losing ground due to a "floppy" stuck in a wheel arch. In the following laps, the quartet of Gabriele Torelli, David Pouget, Alexandre Finkelstein and Gaël Castelli broke away to set up an epic battle.

At the halfway point, Alexandre Finkelstein launched an initial attack on Gabriele Torelli, but it ultimately benefited David Pouget and Gaël Castelli. Then roles were reversed as the Italian tried to take advantage of the duel between the two French drivers before spectacularly locking up his wheels at the entrance to the chicane. David Pouget avoided contact, but Gabriele Torelli continued his effort by challenging Gaël Castellli in a close battle to the delight of David Pouget !

Another tangle between Gabriele Torelli and David Pouget worked in Gaël Castelli’s favour, but David Pouget quickly regained the lead before the Italian locked up a second time. The Frenchman held on to the lead while the Italian returned to the track in third place. Despite a final attack from Gaël Castelli, David Pouget held on to claim his fifth success of the season and take a big step towards the Clio Cup Series title. Involved in numerous battles, Aurélien Renet (JSB Compétition) showed resilience to complete the podium and dominate the Challengers category ahead of Filip Kunčer. Gabriele Torelli slipped to fifth place ahead of Junior Mauro Polderman (AST Compétition). Alex Lancellotti, Nicolas Milan, Anthony Jurado, and Alexandre Albouy rounded out the top ten, while Stephan Polderman (AST Compétition) won the Gentlemen category on the final lap.

Clio Cup Series

David Pouget and Gaël Castelli, both victorious at Circuit Paul Ricard, will battle for the Clio Cup Series title in less than two weeks at Monza. With a 99-point lead after dropping the two worst results before the final round, David Pouget is in a strong position with only 100 points left on offer. Gaël Castelli will therefore have to win both races and hope that his countryman comes away empty-handed to snatch the crown.

Third and now out of contention for a repeat title, Gabriele Torelli still has reasons to fight, as Rangoni Corse leads the team classification ahead of GPA Racing and Milan Compétition. Damiano Puccetti (Rangoni Corse) and Mauro Polderman shared the honours in the Junior category. The Italian now leads the category with a two-point advantage over the Dutchman, but Nikola Tošić (Rangoni Corse) and Thomas Compain (Power Racing) are still in the running. Everything remains open in the Challengers category, where Filip Kunčer is now just one point behind Ben Colburn, with Guillaume Maio (GM Sport) lying in wait.

Laurent Dziadus won the first title of 2025 ahead of the season finale. With six wins and 14 podium finishes in 15 starts in the Gentlemen class, the Frenchman did what was needed to secure his first European title despite the successes of Mickaël Carrée and Stephan Polderman this weekend.

Clio Cup France

Leader of the Clio Cup France heading to Circuit Paul Ricard, David Pouget won the final two races of the season to seal his second French title in France after winning in 2023. The GPA Racing driver finished his domestic campaign with seven wins and three second places from ten starts to finish ahead of Anthony Jurado and Aurélien Renet in the general classification. Also a seven-time winner this season thanks to another double victory, Mickaël Carrée clinched his fourth title in the Gentlemen category of Clio Cup France. Already crowned Junior champion, Ronan Deslandes (T2CM) took his eighth win in the category this year.

Clio Cup Italia

With two wins in Clio Cup Italia, Gaël Castelli now leads Alex Lancellotti after dropping their two worst results. They will battle with Giacomo Trebbi (MC Motortecnica) and Damiano Puccetti for the title at Monza. Alex Lancellotti will also face off against Giacomo Trebbi for the Challengers category crown. With a double victory in the Juniors, Damiano Puccetti retains the advantage in a category where Ronnie Stefani (Rangoni Corse) and Vladimir Lobachev (AST Compétition) still have an outside chance. Stephan Polderman and Cristian Ricciarini (Essecorse) shared the honours in the Gentlemen class, where six drivers are still in contention for the title.

Clio Cup Mid-Europe

Alexandre Finkelstein and Aurélien Renet, both victorious, occupy the top two places in the general classification after dropping their two worst results. The former will travel to Monza with a 38-point lead over his countryman. Still, the Frenchmen will have to be wary of Sam Gornall (Westbourne Motorsport), Filip Kunčer, Mauro Polderman and Nikola Tošić, who are still mathematically in contention. Everything remains possible in the different classes. In the Juniors, Sam Gornall retains the lead despite the successes of Nicky Taylor and Mauro Polderman. In the Challengers, Aurélien Renet and Filip Kunčer pulled away this weekend, but Guillaume Maio and Jaroslav Honzik (GM Sport) could still spring a surprise.

The Clio Cup Series will contest its ninth and final round of the season at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza (17-19 October). The Clio Cup Italia, Clio Cup España, and Clio Cup Mid-Europe will also conclude their respective seasons at the ’Temple of Speed’.

Results - Clio Cup Series - Clio Cup France - Clio Cup Italia - Clio Cup Mid-Europe