Cypriot driver Tio Ellinas will return to action at Portugal’s Estoril circuit this weekend after starting the season with a podium finish in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe at Portimao, taking third place in the first race and fourth in the second.

The opening round at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve was heavily disrupted by weather, with persistent rain, low grip and strong winds affecting running across the weekend.

Ellinas qualified fifth in the sport division in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992), a position that proved decisive as conditions deteriorated on Sunday.

Race 1 developed into a closely fought contest at the front, with several lead changes in the opening laps.

Timing data showed Ellinas briefly leading before settling into the podium battle, eventually finishing third after 17 laps to secure his first trophy of the season.

Race 2 followed later on Sunday under similar conditions.

Ellinas ran consistently inside the top five and finished fourth, just over 24 seconds behind the winner.

“It’s a good way to start the programme,” Ellinas remarked.

“We were in the fight straight away, even with the conditions changing all weekend.

The Race 1 podium matters, and putting the Cyprus flag on the podium here is something I’m proud of.”

Tio Ellinas [right] on the podium
Tio Ellinas [right] on the podium

Ellinas was the only Cypriot entrant in the Sport Division field, with his Race 1 result marking an early milestone for Quanloop EST1 Racing’s new line up for 2026.

Teammate Alexander Reimann was unable to start the races after an accident in free practice in heavy rain left his car too damaged to continue.

Team principal Raimo Kulli said the weekend underlined the strength of the package from the outset.

“For Tio it was a debut weekend with the team, and the baseline was strong from qualifying onwards,” he said.

“Portimao was messy for everyone with the weather, but we came away with a podium and another top-four. The important thing is that Alex is fine.”

Ellinas’ Portimao outing forms part of a triple Porsche campaign in 2026, following his signing with Quanloop EST1 Racing earlier this month.

Alongside the Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe, he is contesting the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux and Porsche Carrera Cup France, as the team builds towards a planned step into the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and Carrera Cup Deutschland in 2027.