James Kell Slipped in Gold Cup Standings
The driver recorded sixth and seventh place finishes during the GT World Challenge Europe races in Zandvoort.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Performance Vehicles
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James Kell and co-driver Arthur Rougier finished sixth and seventh in the Gold Cup during recent races in Zandvoort. The performance in their McLaren 720S EVO resulted in Kell dropping from third to fourth in the overall Gold Cup standings.
Why it matters
The team implemented adjustments to tyre pressures during pit stops to address concerns regarding the vehicle's lack of pace. These strategic shifts were aimed at improving performance within a competitive 45-car field.
Kell and Rougier managed 6th and 7th place finishes in the Gold Cup, with Rougier notably gaining 11 places on the first lap of race one. Kell completed a 33-minute stint in the first race, followed by Rougier driving a 26-minute stint in race two.
The players
James Kell
James Kell is a professional racing driver from Morpeth who competes in the GT World Challenge Europe.
Arthur Rougier
Arthur Rougier is a professional racing driver who serves as a co-driver for the McLaren 720S EVO team.
The details
The team struggled to maintain pace throughout the weekend, prompting mechanical changes during the second race. Despite the technical adjustments, they finished 10 seconds off the overall top-10 pace.
Timeline
The Zandvoort race event occurred in September 2026.
Sprint Cup races in Barcelona are scheduled for October 3-4, 2026.
The final Endurance event in Portimão will take place October 17-18, 2026.
Roadmap
The use of the McLaren 720S EVO reflects the ongoing reliance on highly tuned performance vehicles in the ultra-competitive GT3 racing landscape. Teams must constantly iterate on technical setups to keep pace with an increasingly packed and professionalized grid.
The team's reliance on the McLaren 720S EVO highlights the maintenance and performance tuning expectations required for high-end track-capable sports cars. Fans and owners of similar vehicles often look to such race results to understand the efficacy of specific tire and setup adjustments.
The takeaway
Kell aims to climb back into the top-three rankings by the end of the year through strong finishes in the remaining two events. Consistent performance in the upcoming Barcelona and Portimão races will be critical to overcoming his current standing.
What happens next
James Kell will compete in the Sprint Cup races in Barcelona on October 3-4, 2026, and the final Endurance event in Portimão on October 17-18, 2026, as he seeks to finish the year in the top-three.
Further reading
For more information on the latest developments in GT racing, visit Performance Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Northumberland Gazette.
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