The Diamond Best Trophy for gentlemen drivers has been redefined ahead of the third event of the 2025 TCR Europe series season this weekend, in the interests of respecting the original intent of the category.

With the TCR Europe series featuring an eclectic mix of drivers of all ages, with nine drivers qualifying for the 21 and under Youth Best category, but also recognising the strong talent and experience in the 40-and-over Diamond category, the qualifying criteria has been redefined and applied retrospectively ahead of this weekend.

In the first four races of the season, Felipe Fernández and Nicola Baldan had shared the four wins between them. The two drivers also fought for the 2024 Diamond Trophy title, with Fernández coming out on top, but both drivers have elected to withdraw from the category, as well as JSB Compétition driver Julien Briché, the championship runner-up from 2019.

The eligibility criteria is now defined as any driver 40 or over at the start of the season, has not finished in the top five of the standings of the series, has not won a race outright, or was in the top 50 of the Kumho TCR World Ranking at the start of the year.

Fernández is therefore discounted as both a top 50 driver and top five standings finisher, Baldan as a race winner from 2024 and a top 50 driver, and Briché for both his standings placement in 2019 as well as his six career victories, the standard bearer on this year’s grid.

The revised points mean series newcomer Pierre-Arnaud Navarro leads the Diamond Best Trophy on 126 points, just six ahead of Victor Fernández.

This weekend, four drivers will be eligible for the Diamond Best Trophy – the two Navarro brothers Pierre-Arnaud and Jean-Laurent, Victor Fernández, and returning driver Mikael Karlsson.