Amsterdam is set to welcome the world’s top virtual racers for the Gran Turismo World Series 2024 Finals, taking place December 7 and 8. Theater Amsterdam, nestled by the River IJ in the Houthavens district, was the iconic venue of the 2023 World Series Showdown. It will host this year's World Finals, consisting of three exciting days of competition as elite drivers vie for the prestigious titles of Nations Cup and Manufacturers Cup World Champions.

The season kicked off in North America, with the first round held in Montreal, Canada, on July 6. Seasoned Brazilian driver Igor Fraga secured victory in the Manufacturers Cup for Team Lexus, while Japan’s Takuma Miyazono, another series veteran, delivered a remarkable performance to win the Nations Cup.

Round 2 brought the action to Europe, to the picturesque city of Prague, Czech Republic, on August 10. This event introduced fresh faces to the winner's circle, as Mohamed Budheima of Great Britain achieved a surprise victory for Team Ferrari in the Manufacturers Cup. Meanwhile, former Nations Cup champion Valerio Gallo of Italy made a popular return to form, claiming victory in the Nations Cup.

At the Asia-Oceania Round 3 in Tokyo, Kanata Kawakami’s stellar performance for Team Lexus shook up the standings, propelling them four points ahead of Team Porsche. On the international stage, France’s Kylian Drumont clinched a crucial victory, giving him a narrow one-point advantage over Spain's Jose Serrano, Japan's Takuma Miyazono, and Italy's Valerio Gallo as they head to Amsterdam for the Nations Cup showdown.

The World Finals guarantees more thrilling wheel-to-wheel battles. The action kicks off with the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GT Cup Finals on Saturday, December 7, 16:00 to 17:30 CET just before the Manufacturers Cup at 19:00 to 21:00 CET. The Nations Cup finale wraps up the 2024 Series from 16:00 CET on Sunday, December 8.

The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GT Cup sets the stage perfectly for a weekend packed with high-stakes competition. A field of 24 elite drivers, chosen from a blend of online qualifiers and live events, will showcase their skills, including some of the fastest contenders from the Gran Turismo World Series. These drivers will be eager to kick off their World Finals weekend with a confidence-boosting victory. Standing in their path, however, are several fresh talents, all determined to make their mark and seize the first trophies of the Amsterdam showdown, setting the tone for the weekend ahead.

The Manufacturers Cup highlights an impressive array of stunning cars featured in Gran Turismo, bringing the thrill of team-based competition to life. Throughout the season, the top 12 car manufacturers, determined through the Online Qualifier rounds, including Official Partners such as Toyota, Genesis, and Mazda, have been represented by some of the world’s best virtual drivers. In the opening rounds in Montreal, Prague, and Tokyo, each manufacturer was represented by a single driver. However, for the World Finals, the stakes rise as these individual competitors unite, forming 12 teams of three drivers to compete for the ultimate Manufacturers Cup crown.

Team Lexus was the Round 1 winner, before Team Ferrari took an unexpected and exciting victory in Round 2. But Lexus was back on top in Tokyo and leads Team Porsche by four points going into the World Finals.

The revamped Nations Cup for 2024 introduces a fresh format, where the top 12 drivers from the Online Qualifiers represent their home country or territory throughout all three rounds and the World Finals. Points are accumulated across the season, adding an extra layer of intensity as national pride is on the line, culminating in a dramatic finale at the World Finals.

In Round 1 in Montreal, 2020 Nations Cup Champion Takuma Miyazono of Japan showcased his talents with a brilliant victory. Round 2 in Prague brought an equally exciting result, as Italy’s Valerio Gallo, the 2021 Champion, made a triumphant return to the podium after a period of inconsistency. Spain’s double World Champion Coque López led the field into Round 3 in Tokyo, but a stunning performance by Kylian Drumont sees the Frenchman head to Amsterdam with a single-point advantage over three drivers tied for 2nd with López a further two points behind in fifth.

Kaj de Bruin from the Netherlands has scored points in all three rounds placing him 6th on the leaderboard and looking to give the Dutch crowd a reason to cheer.

To find out more about the Gran Turismo World Series, visit the following link:
https://www.gran-turismo.com/world/gt7/events/gtws2024/.