In the Saxo Cup 2022, with two races missing to complete the season, driver Ana Barreras Barber stood out in a field that was almost entirely male. The Galicia-born racer secured a place on the near-100 steering wheels roster and finished 28th out of 90 competitors, signaling a strong debut in a prestigious series while still seeking the necessary funding to continue her campaign.
How is the Saxo Cup adventure progressing for her?
Movement began at the Jarama circuit, a track she knows well, yet she faced a tight schedule with just over a week to adapt to a new car. The weekend was marred by heavy rain, which made practice treacherous. She navigated from a cautious start to a steadier pace, finishing races and earning points, while feeling there was more to reveal as the season unfolded.
Was Jarama the moment to revisit that track, then?
Indeed. She rode in the top ten until an on-track incident with a teammate hindered her progress, forcing her to settle for a position below the front row as she had to recover the pace lost in the crash.
And then came Jerez…
Jerez is a circuit she holds in high regard. She had previously raced there in the Aygo Cup, so she entered confident in the car control and setup. The preparation paid off as she earned a spot in the A grid, the fastest group, leaving Jerez with a sense of achievement. This came despite a late-race engine overheating that nudged her toward the playoffs for a final run.
Despite Jarama being considered a home track and Jerez one of her favorites, many view Cheste as the stage where she truly showcased her potential.
Yes, Cheste stood out as her best weekend yet. Her pace in Jerez suggested top-five speed, a fact she confirmed with a bold run in Cheste where she started twelfth and finished fourth. A late intervention by a teammate relegated her to ninth in the closing laps, but she had already proven she possessed the speed. Before the race, she told her mother, in a moment of candid emotion, that she would dedicate it to her – a personal touch that underscored the passion fueling her drive. It remains her best performance to date.
Even within a single-brand trophy where everyone competes with the same car, does everyone have an equal shot at the overall ranking?
The reality is that budget matters. More resources mean more options, such as additional wheelsets. She competes with a single wheelset for the weekend, which becomes a limiting factor as finals approach. In those moments, the possibility to train and refine the car and driving style more extensively is tied to financial support, making the gap that much easier to see in the final standings.
How does she handle the mounting tension?
She has rebuilt the car to a level of comfort that aligns with the top competition. She believes the pace is there to reach the top 20 overall, supported by a growing confidence in the car and in her own ability to adapt quickly to different race conditions.
How does she balance the journey so far?
The racer feels pride in the progress made and gratitude for the teammates who have supported her. Their encouragement underscores the belief that she has the rhythm to be at the forefront. Their words — keep pushing, you’ve got the pace to be on top — offer constant motivation to push through tough sessions and laps.
What comes after the Saxo Cup for Ana Barreras?
The plan is to reorganize the campaign to secure wins and climb the standings as high as possible. She expects to gain more practice time, prepare thoroughly for each race, and compete for top positions. The upcoming round at the Aragon Motorland circuit in September represents another chance to demonstrate that she belongs among the leading contenders and attract the best sponsorship opportunities. The support she has received is deeply meaningful, and she acknowledges the belief shown by many who stepped up to invest in her journey, a sentiment she carries into every race and every challenge ahead.