Monteiro scores two wins and a podium to reignite title challenge. Kanthan takes second
The fifth round of the F4 Spain season, held at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, allowed Noah Monteiro to strengthen his bid for the 2026 drivers' title. The Griffin Core by Campos driver from Portugal claimed victory in both Saturday races and then completed the weekend with a third-place finish on Sunday. His teammate Vivek Kanthan also stood on the podium, securing a Griffin Core by Campos one-two alongside Monteiro in the opening race and scoring points in the other two. Ty Fisher finished seventh and eighth, while Campos Racing's Daniel Kelleher secured fifth place twice, his best results in the category to date, and added a seventh-place finish in the other race. Jacob Micallef scored points once again, while Luna Fluxá fought her way forward throughout the weekend to finish as the leading female driver.
The positive feeling with the Circuito de Jerez had already emerged during Thursday's collective test, with all Campos Racing and Griffin Core by Campos drivers running at the sharp end. Irishman Kelleher was particularly impressive in those early stages, topping the timesheets in the morning and finishing second in the afternoon. The positive trend continued throughout Friday's three free practice sessions, with not only Kelleher but also Monteiro, Kanthan, Fisher and Micallef consistently featuring among the front-runners.
Saturday was approached with full confidence in the work carried out beforehand. In the first qualifying session, Monteiro was looking to take a decisive step towards strengthening his title ambitions. And he certainly delivered. With pole position decided by just 81 thousandths of a second at the front, the Portuguese driver came out on top to secure the two bonus points, setting a 1m43.303s lap that put him just 14 thousandths ahead of teammate Kanthan. It was an all-Griffin Core by Campos front row. Kelleher stopped the clocks at 1m43.616s to qualify sixth, while Fisher was eighth with a 1m43.687s lap. Micallef would start the opening race from 12th after setting a best time of 1m43.782s. Fluxá qualified 21st with a 1m44.326s lap, while also securing the best qualifying position among the female drivers.
The second-fastest lap, which determined the grid for Saturday afternoon's sprint race, once again belonged to Monteiro. The Portuguese driver set a 1m43.312s lap to secure an ideal starting position. Kanthan was fourth this time with a 1m43.653s lap, while Kelleher (7th), Fisher (9th) and Micallef (10th) also made it into the top ten. Fluxá would start 27th.
The opening race in Jerez, held on Saturday morning over 30 minutes plus one lap, was set to be the real test. When the lights went out, Monteiro and Kanthan kept their two Griffin Core by Campos cars at the front of the field, with the American fending off every attempt by Borys Łyżeń and Kasper Schormans to pass him. In the early stages, Kelleher was fifth, Fisher seventh and Micallef was knocking on the door of the top ten from 11th. However, a heavy crash into the wall by one of the cars at the entry to the main straight first brought out the Safety Car and subsequently the red flag to allow the track to be cleared. After half an hour, the race resumed behind the Safety Car, with 15 minutes still on the clock when the green flags were finally waved. Monteiro remained composed and edged clear of Kanthan, who in turn proved an impenetrable barrier for his pursuers. Kelleher was also beginning to put pressure on the two drivers ahead of him, while Fisher was involved in a close fight with Rocco Coronel. After 16 laps, which were completed within the allotted race time, Monteiro crossed the finish line as the winner, almost two seconds clear of Kanthan, who completed a Griffin Core by Campos one-two. Kelleher finished fifth and was also third among the rookies, while Fisher and Micallef also scored points in seventh and ninth. Fluxá crossed the line in 21st.
The second race of the day was held over 25 minutes plus one lap that afternoon. Monteiro held on to pole position at the start, leading Łyżeń. Kanthan was fourth at the end of the opening lap, with Kelleher, Micallef and Fisher also inside the top ten. The Safety Car soon made an appearance after several cars came to a halt in the gravel. The race resumed on lap nine, with Monteiro once again demonstrating whenever possible that he had the strongest pace and gradually pulling clear of his pursuers. After 14 laps, Monteiro claimed his second victory of the day, also taking the additional point for fastest lap. Kanthan finished fourth, while Kelleher once again demonstrated his consistency with seventh. Fisher finished 11th this time and Fluxá fought her way up to 19th. Micallef, who had been among the front-runners for much of the race, was hit by a rival — who was subsequently penalised by the stewards — and dropped down the order, eventually finishing 23rd.
Conditions were somewhat different early on Sunday compared with the previous day. Nevertheless, Monteiro was once again the best-placed representative of the Alzira-based team. The Portuguese driver set the fourth-fastest time with a best lap of 1m43.436s. Kanthan was sixth with a 1m43.677s lap, ahead on the grid of seventh-placed Kelleher, who set a 1m43.757s time. Fisher was ninth on the timesheets (1m43.890s), while Micallef narrowly missed out on the top ten in 11th with a 1m43.946s lap. Fluxá stopped the clocks at 1m44.554s, which put her 19th on the grid.
The final race, lasting 30 minutes plus one lap, brought the Jerez weekend to a close at midday. The start was, as always, a tense moment, although Monteiro stayed close behind the three drivers ahead of him, while Kanthan and Kelleher battled with Elliot Kaczynski in the opening stages. Kelleher and Micallef had both gained two positions at the start. After four laps, Monteiro remained fourth and Kanthan was eighth, ahead of Micallef and Fisher, who both passed the American on the following lap. A car rolled over on lap seven, with no physical consequences for the driver, prompting a red flag and a 15-minute neutralisation. The race then resumed behind the Safety Car and, with 12 minutes remaining, the SC returned to the pits. The restart did not go well for Micallef, who ran wide at the end of the straight and dropped down the order. Two more cars ended up in the gravel, prompting another Safety Car period. With five minutes remaining, the green flags returned… but not for long. Monteiro took advantage of the battle between Kasper Schormans and Łyżeń to pass the latter and move into third. Moments later, another incident brought out the Safety Car and the race was not restarted. Monteiro therefore completed the weekend without finishing off the podium, taking third place. Kelleher repeated his fifth-place finish, while Fisher and Kanthan were eighth and ninth. Fluxá produced an impressive recovery drive to finish 12th. Micallef, following his incident, finished 17th.
In the drivers' standings, Monteiro is second with 175 points, just seven behind Schormans. Kanthan moves up to sixth with 100 points. In the teams' standings, Griffin Core by Campos lies second with 237 points.
The next round will take place in just two weeks at the Circuito de Navarra in Los Arcos, on the weekend of 10-11 October.
