Porsche claims Gran Turismo World Series Manufacturers Cup

The 2025 Gran Turismo World Series reached its conclusion in Fukuoka, Japan, where digital precision met real-world spectacle at the much-anticipated World Finals. Before a capacity crowd at Marine Messe Fukuoka, the season’s finest drivers assembled for one last reckoning of the Manufacturers Cup.

Set along the Hakata waterfront, the Fukuoka International Congress Center sits next to the Marine Messe Fukuoka, one of Kyushu’s premier venues, known fort hosting concerts, exhibitions, and major sporting showcases, its cavernous interior and clean sightlines made it an ideal venue for the World Finals. Transformed for esports competition, the hall hummed with anticipation as fans packed the stands, their focus fixed on a global grid representing the very best Gran Turismo had to offer.

The Manufacturers Cup brings together the 12 top-ranked teams from the Online Qualifiers, joined by official partners Toyota and Mazda. For the World Finals, the format demanded more than individual brilliance. Each manufacturer fielded a three-driver line-up – one from Europe/Middle East/Africa, one from the Americas, and one from Asia-Oceania – placing an emphasis on depth, adaptability, and teamwork. Three sprint races would set the tone, followed by the decisive Grand Final in which all three drivers would rotate behind the wheel.

Entering the day, Subaru held a slim advantage at the top of the standings, with Mazda and BMW close behind and Porsche lurking just one point off the lead. The opening race took the field to unfamiliar territory: the Daytona tri-oval, marking the first oval race ever contested in World Series history. Mazda’s Samuel Cardinal delivered a controlled, authoritative drive, navigating traffic and tire wear to claim victory ahead of Subaru’s Daniel Solis and Porsche’s Shota Sato.

Conditions shifted dramatically in the second race. At Autopolis International Racing Course, relentless rain turned the circuit into a test of nerve and finesse. Porsche’s Jose Serrano thrived in the chaos, threading the car through standing water and low visibility to secure a narrow win over Mazda’s Pol Urra, with Subaru’s Takuma Miyazono close enough to keep the outcome in doubt until the closing moments.

Momentum swung firmly toward Porsche in the third race at Sardegna’s road circuit. Angel Inostroza delivered a calm, clinical performance, holding off Honda’s Valerio Gallo and Subaru’s Kylian Drumont to claim Porsche’s second consecutive victory. When the points were tallied, Porsche emerged at the head of the table, but with Mazda and Subaru still within striking distance, the championship remained very much alive.

The Grand Final provided a fitting stage for the title decider: the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, newly added to Gran Turismo 7. Long associated with Formula 1, Yas Marina is a study in contrasts – long straights that reward top-end speed, followed by tight, technical sections that punish even the smallest mistake. Under floodlights and framed by modern architecture, it brought a sense of occasion worthy of a championship showdown.

Over 20 laps, lead changes came frequently, tire strategies diverged, and the pressure mounted with every pit decision. Yet as the race settled into its final phase, one team asserted control. Porsche’s trio – Serrano, Inostroza and Sato – executed their stints with measured precision, prioritizing consistency and clean laps over unnecessary risk, crossing the finish line first. It was not the most dramatic victory of the season, but it was arguably the most complete.

BMW claimed second place with a disciplined performance, while Mazda secured the final podium position after remaining competitive throughout the race. Subaru, despite its early promise, struggled to extract pace from the Yas Marina layout. The team of Miyazono, Drumont and Solis finished sixth, a frustrating result that reflected just how unforgiving the circuit could be.

When the dust settled, Porsche stood atop the Manufacturers Cup standings with 65 points, followed by Mazda on 55 and Subaru on 48. Beyond the numbers, the result carried historic significance. For the first time in Gran Turismo World Series history, a non-Japanese manufacturer had claimed the title – a milestone that spoke not only to Porsche’s execution on the day, but to the increasingly global balance of power within the series.

With the first event of the 2026 season slated for Abu Dhabi in March, it was clear that this breakthrough would not be treated as an anomaly, but as a signal. The Gran Turismo World Series has entered a new phase in which competitive advantage is no longer defined by geography or legacy alone, but by preparation, adaptability, and the ability to perform when it matters most.