AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands—The Manufacturers Cup of the Gran Turismo World Series World Finals reached its crescendo today, captivating a sold-out audience at the majestic Theater Amsterdam, situated along the tranquil River IJ in the vibrant Houthavens district.

This year’s Manufacturers Cup featured 12 elite teams, selected from the 2024 Online Qualifiers Global Manufacturer Ranking, and introduced a new knockout format, with three intense Qualifying Sessions, each designed to determine grid positions for the Grand Final. Teams were required to field a different driver for each session, where the first two rounds saw the three slowest teams eliminated, relegating them to the back of the grid for the final race. The third session then decided the coveted top six spots, setting the stage for the ultimate showdown.

The Grand Final itself required all three drivers per team to take a turn behind the wheel, battling for crucial World Series Points. With points awarded to the top ten finishers, these scores were added to the rankings from Rounds 1 through 3 to determine the overall champion. Team Lexus arrived in Amsterdam with a commanding lead, seemingly destined for glory. But with double points on the line and every team still mathematically in contention, the atmosphere sparkled with anticipation. As the first Qualifying Session began, the tension was intense, setting the tone for a day of unforgettable racing drama.

Qualifier 1: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Hard Tyres

In the opening Qualifying Session, it was Ferrari’s Jun Hashima (TX3_TenagaZaru) who set the pace, delivering an exceptional performance around the historic track. Hot on his heels was Yuito Sasaki (TRUST-T78-33D), representing Team Genesis with an impressive drive, followed closely by Arthur Mosso (VQS_ART55MN) in the Porsche 911 RSR. Team Lexus, despite the absence of star driver Igor Fraga due to a scheduling conflict, managed a solid performance with Chilean Harald Walsen (RMS-NySoRi) stepping up admirably to fill the gap. For Team Mazda, AMG, and Audi, they fell short of the mark and were subsequently relegated to the back of the grid for the Grand Final.

Qualifier 2: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Medium Tyres

The critical second Qualifying Session saw Team BMW seize the advantage, as French driver Thomas Labouteley (Aphel-ion) delivered a commanding performance to take the top spot. Meanwhile, former Manufacturers Cup world champion Lexus proved it remained a force to be reckoned with, as Japan’s Kanata Kawakami (SG_Kawakana) clocked the second-fastest time of the session. Brazil’s Adriano Carrazza (Didico__15) kept Team Toyota in the hunt with a strong 3rd place showing, followed closely by Frenchman Kylian Drumont (R8G_Kylian19), who showcased Subaru’s resilience with a 4th place finish.

For Genesis, Ferrari, and Chevrolet, their elimination in this round relegated them to P7 through P9 on the starting grid for the Grand Final, highlighting the unforgiving nature of this new format as the field narrowed to the top six contenders.

Qualifier 3: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Soft Tyres

The final Qualifying Session represented the ultimate showdown, as the six remaining teams unleashed their top drivers on soft-compound tyres to battle for pole position. Valerio Gallo (OP_BRacer), a former Nations Cup champion, powered Team Honda's NSX to the fastest lap of the day, securing the coveted top spot on the grid. Not far behind was Japan’s Seiya Suzuki (EVO_CRV-86), who delivered a stellar performance for Team BMW to claim the second spot.

Team Porsche also made its mark, with Takuma Sasaki (SZ_TakuAn22) clocking the third-quickest time, locking in a place on the second row. Joining Porsche was Team Lexus, led by the ever-reliable Coque López (coquelopez14), whose 4th place finish was good enough for P4 on the Grand Final starting grid. With the order set, the stage was primed for the last and deciding Manufacturers Cup race of the season with everything riding on the line!

Grand Final: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

The Grand Final of the Manufacturers Cup unfolded at the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, a fitting battleground for the season’s climactic race. The same circuit used for qualifying hosted the Gr.3 cars piloted by each team’s trio of drivers, with no mandated tyre compounds. But with rain looming on the horizon, strategy revolved around if and when to switch to the Intermediate or Heavy Wet Michelins.

The race began cleanly, with all cars slotting through the La Source hairpin in single-file formation. But then the gloves came off! Down the Kemmel Straight, BMW’s Seiya Suzuki made an audacious move, overtaking the Honda NSX Japan’s Soki Nabetani (OA4life_) to claim the race lead. Moments later, Porsche’s Benjamin Hencsei (IGTSH_Szotyi42x) muscled into the action, bumping the Honda off-track in a bold bid for position. Double Gauche (Turns 10 and 11) became a battleground as several cars traded paint, revealing the aggressive undertone of the race. By lap 2, the field began to stabilise, with the BMW M6 GT3 leading, followed by Lexus’ RC F GT3, Porsche’s 911 RSR, and Honda’s NSX.

The fireworks reignited on lap 3 when a fierce midfield battle erupted, involving Toyota, Genesis, Honda, and AMG. Amid the chaos, Honda fell to P7, while Toyota’s Tomoaki Yamanaka (yamado_racing38) vaulted into 4th place in the GR Supra. But Honda’s woes deepened on the next lap as Chevrolet, Subaru, AMG, and Ferrari surged past, relegating the NSX to a disheartening P10.

With rain imminent, Team Mazda and Subaru were the first to gamble on tyre strategy, making early pit stops for Heavy Wets and Intermediate Wets, respectively. As the downpour intensified, the rest of the field followed suit, with strategies split between Heavy and Intermediate Wets. Race leaders BMW and Lexus both opted for Heavy Wets, anticipating worsening conditions.

By lap 8, this year’s Toyota GR GT Cup champion, Jose Serrano (AVA_JOSETE), manoeuvred his Toyota GR Supra past Arthur Mosso’s Porsche 911 RSR to claim P3. However, he still trailed BMW’s Thomas Labouteley and Lexus’ Coque López by 4.6 seconds. As the track conditions deteriorated further, teams on Heavy Wets—like Genesis—gained the upper hand. Genesis’ Yuito Sasaki overtook both the Porsche and Toyota to claim P3.

The lead alternated between BMW and Lexus over the next few laps, with the two teams balancing aggression and caution on the treacherous circuit. By lap 13, they had built a commanding seven-second lead over Team Chevrolet, with Antonio Santos (ERM_AntonioSK) piloting the Corvette C7, and Genesis, locked in a battle for the third spot.

Clearing skies on lap 15 prompted Genesis, Subaru, and Honda to switch to slick tyres. The rest of the field followed suit a lap later, entrusting their ace drivers with the final stint.

With just two laps remaining, the race reached its crescendo. American driver Calen Roach (CalenJRoach) steered BMW’s M6 GT3 into the lead, fending off a relentless challenge from Harald Walsen in the Lexus RC F. Behind them, Nicolas Romero (ERM_NicoRD) delivered a stellar performance in the Genesis X to secure 3rd place.

As the chequered flag waved, Team BMW claimed a hard-fought victory, with Lexus crossing the line a close second. Genesis rounded out the podium with an impressive 3rd place finish. Despite the race win, Lexus’ 2nd place finish secured them the Series championship by a razor-thin margin, 33 points to BMW’s 32. It was a classic, edge-of-your-seat showdown that epitomised the essence of the Manufacturers Cup—a race defined by strategy, skill, teamwork and an indomitable will to win.

After the race, the members of the championship Lexus team shared their thoughts.

Coque López, the Michelin Driver of the Day, attributed the team’s success to being able to execute under challenging weather conditions: “The strategy in the rain was good because we went with the Intermediate Wet tyres, and of course, Harald drove perfectly in the last stint because he was so focused.”

Harald Walsen, stepping into the formidable shoes of Igor Fraga, praised his teammate’s guidance during the race: “Thanks to Coque for talking to me on the radio and helping me keep close to the BMW.”

Kanata Kawakami highlighted the team’s collective effort, recognising the critical contribution of their absent teammate: “Although Igor couldn’t make the race due to a scheduling conflict with Super GT, this team couldn’t have won the championship without him. It was because of his win in Round 1 that we were able to be in this position today. I’m really proud of our team, which actually consisted of four members this year.”

Gran Turismo World Series 2024 World Finals - Manufacturers Cup
Grand Final Results