GT Racing’s Top Drivers to Clash at 2025 FIA GT World Cup in Macau
Macau, [Date of Release – implied from context] – The world’s most prestigious sprint race for GT3 machinery, the FIA GT World Cup, is set to return to the challenging streets of Macau in 2025, attracting a stellar field of manufacturers, factory drivers, adn privateer teams. A total of 16 drivers from 12 nations will compete on the 6.12-kilometre Guia Circuit, with eight Platinum-ranked drivers highlighting the remarkable level of talent.
Former winner Markus Engstler, who last claimed victory in 2017, will be back for a second attempt, aiming for a strong performance after a qualifying crash in 2024. He now races as an established GT3 driver following a season in the DTM.
Porsche is fielding the largest single-manufacturer effort with five 911 GT3 R (992) entries. Leading the charge is 2019 winner Laurens Vanthoor for Tempo by Absolute Racing, alongside Alessio Picariello in a sister car. Schumacher CLRT will feature newly crowned DTM champion Ayhancan Güven and Laurin Heinrich, representing Porsche’s emerging factory-backed GT talent. Dorian Boccolacci, driving for Phantom Global Racing, further strengthens Porsche’s line-up.
Audi Sport returns with two R8 LMS GT3 Evo2s run by FAW Audi Sport Asia Team Phantom, driven by factory veteran Christopher Haase and versatile Swede Joel Eriksson. Hong Kong’s Adderly Fong will compete under the Uno Racing Team banner, bringing valuable experience of the Guia Circuit and local interest to the audi contingent.
McLaren is making its long-awaited FIA GT World Cup comeback with Optimum Motorsport,after last competing in the inaugural event in 2015.Benjamin Goethe, a frontrunner in the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup, will pilot the team’s single 720S GT3 Evo.
A revised qualifying format will be implemented this year. Alongside the established 30-minute qualifying session (Q1), the fastest 10 drivers will advance to a ‘Super Pole’ session (Q2). This segment will see each driver complete two individual qualifying laps with the benefit of a new set of tyres.
The race program will remain consistent with last year, featuring a 12-lap Qualification Race followed by a 16-lap Main Race to determine the FIA GT World Cup winner.
The 2025 FIA GT World Cup will share the Macau Grand Prix billing with the FIA FR World Cup, the Kumho Tyre FIA TCR World Tour season finale, and the newly introduced FIA Formula 4 World Cup, expanding the total number of FIA-sanctioned competitions at the 72nd Macau Grand Prix to four.
Fans can watch the event live and free of charge via the FIA’s official YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FIAOfficialVideo.
