April 21, 2026
PORTIMÃO, PORTUGAL
Rafael Duran kicked off his International GT Open campaign this weekend at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, taking on the season opener with AF Corse in the #51 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo alongside teammate Tommaso Mosca.
The weekend started on a high note, with Duran qualifying P2 in Qualifying 1, showcasing strong pace from the opening laps of the season and placing the #51 Ferrari firmly in contention for Race 1. However, motorsport's unpredictable nature quickly came into play. A puncture on the opening lap of Race 1 dropped the #51 entry down the order, forcing the pair to recover through the field and ultimately crossing the line in P17, well below the potential shown in qualifying.
With a clean sheet on Sunday, Duran and Mosca attacked from lights out to the flag, working their way forward to secure a solid P5 finish in Race 2 - a result that reflected both the underlying pace of the Ferrari and the team's ability to bounce back from adversity.
"After a strong P2 in Qualifying 1, the puncture on the opening lap of Race 1 turned the afternoon into something far from what we had in mind," said Duran. "That meant head down from lights out to the flag on Sunday, and we came away with a solid P5 in Race 2 to close the weekend. On my side, I still have a lot to improve pace-wise before the next race, but the progression is clear from the start of the year and I hope to bring it to the next one to fight for the win."
Duran was quick to acknowledge the hard work of the squad around him: "Big thanks to the whole AF Corse crew for their effort throughout the weekend, and to Tommy for being a mega teammate."
With Round 1 of the International GT Open now behind him, there is no time to rest. Duran heads immediately to Imola for the opening round of the Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo, ready to build on the momentum and convert the weekend's learnings into stronger results.
Race Results - AF Corse #51:
About Rafael Duran
Born to a Spanish mother and an American father, Rafael Duran grew up surrounded by international motorsport culture. He is part of the Ferrari Corsa Clienti and progressed through the Ferrari Driver Academy, competing in the Ferrari Challenge before stepping up to endurance racing in 2024.
Rafael is currently active across three international GT championships, marking a decisive step toward a professional career in top-tier GT racing.
About AF Corse
AF Corse is one of the most successful Ferrari customer teams in international GT racing. Based in Italy, the squad has built a reputation for technical excellence and a winning culture across endurance and sprint disciplines, fielding a fleet of Ferrari 296 GT3 Evos across the world's leading GT championships in 2026.
