Marco Giltrap produced one of the drives of his 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season at Fuji International Speedway, charging from eighth on the grid to claim a podium finish in Round 5 before adding more valuable championship points in Round 6 to consolidate third place in the Pro standings at the halfway mark of the season.
Piloting the #66 Giltrap Group Porsche 911 GT3 Cup with Team Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport, Giltrap arrived at the iconic Japanese circuit in strong form and delivered across both races despite the challenges the weekend presented.
Round 5 — From the Back of the Grid to the Podium
Giltrap qualified third for Round 5, but carried a five-position grid penalty from the previous round at Zhuhai — a sanction that dropped him to eighth on the grid before the lights had even gone out. It was a setback that would have tested lesser resolve. Instead, it brought out his best.
A measured opening lap kept him clear of early contact, before a determined charge through the field showcased the kind of race craft and pace that has defined his 2026 campaign. Giltrap picked off positions with well-timed, composed moves to advance from eighth to third, bringing the #66 home on the podium and securing a strong haul of championship points in the process.
Round 6 — Clean, Composed, and in the Points
Starting from fourth in Round 6, Giltrap settled into fifth in the opening stages and maintained position through a Safety Car restart before the race settled into a controlled run to the flag. He brought the #66 Giltrap Group Porsche home cleanly in fifth — another solid, damage-free result and more points added to his championship tally.
“Fuji’s always a special place to race, and this weekend we delivered. The penalty made Race 1 harder than it needed to be, but we got our heads down and came out with a podium, so we can’t complain. Race 2 was about being smart and bringing it home clean. Third in the championship at halfway… We’re in a good spot,” said Giltrap
With the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season now at its halfway point, Giltrap sits third in the Pro Championship, a position built on consistency, smart racing and the kind of front-running pace that makes him a genuine title contender heading into the second half of the season.
The next round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia takes place at Buriram, Thailand, on 3–5 July 2026.
Header Image: Earl Bamber Motorsport
