• Seventh successive global crown secured after dramatic showdown in New Zealand
• Mercedes-AMG also wins inaugural Customer Performance Award
• Strong presence in all four continental series proves decisive for Affalterbach brand
• Final 2025 GT World Challenge standings
Mercedes-AMG has secured its seventh consecutive GT World Challenge powered by AWS title after overhauling BMW in the season-closing event at Hampton Downs.
The 3.8km circuit on New Zealand's North Island played host to the 30th and final round of the global campaign, which began across the water at Mount Panorama in early February. Since then, the competitive action has spanned America, Asia, Australia and Europe, totalling 99 hours of sprint and endurance racing around the world.
Mercedes-AMG entered the finale 20 points in arrears following a string of strong performances from BMW, including victory at the Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS and a double podium finish at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Coupled with a poor result for Mercedes-AMG at the European finale, this made the Bavarian marque the outright leader for the first time since May.
But, with no BMW entries on the Australian grid, the odds were stacked in Mercedes-AMG's favour. Average scores from the previous GT World Challenge Australia meetings suggested that the Affalterbach marque would be able to overcome the deficit, and with no fewer than five cars on the entry list it had sufficient firepower to do so.
The matter was very nearly settled in Race 1 thanks to a brace of top 10 finishes from Mach 1 and Tigani, which put Mercedes-AMG just two points shy of BMW heading into the deciding 60-minute contest. The title was then sealed in convincing fashion, with Tigani duo Jayden Ojeda and Paul Lucchitti securing third spot in the closing race. With Mach 1 also among the top five, Mercedes-AMG had done more than enough to retain its crown.
This was not the only title to be settled at Hampton Downs. In what proved to be a dramatic final weekend, Broc Feeney and Brad Schumacher took both wins aboard their Melbourne Performance Centre Audi to snatch GT World Challenge Australia glory away from the Arise Ferrari squad. The MPC drivers beat Jaxon Evans and Elliott Schutte – who had led since the opening race of the season – by just four points.
In the global standings, Mercedes-AMG ultimately prevailed by just 23 points over BMW. Porsche was third, an outcome already assured ahead of the closing round, followed by Ferrari, Audi, Lamborghini and McLaren. Aston Martin finished eighth, beating Corvette by a mere 24 points thanks to a strong final round for Volante Rosso, with Ford completing this year’s standings.
Mercedes-AMG's seventh title was unquestionably the hardest fought, with the ubiquity of its customer teams once again making the crucial difference. Notably, it did not top any of the continental tables: BMW was the best scorer in Europe and America, while Porsche led in Asia and Audi was the class of the field in Australia. BMW also earned the greatest number of race victories, scoring a total of 12 across the campaign. Mercedes-AMG and Porsche took eight a piece, while Audi and Ferrari each earned seven wins.
The 2025 GT World Challenge powered by AWS season saw a record 10 manufacturers competing for the global title, while the new points system introduced this year produced a compelling title fight in which Mercedes-AMG, BMW and Porsche all spent time at the top of the standings.
Mercedes-AMG’s global reach was further emphasised by clinching the inaugural Customer Performance Award, a classification that recognises results across each continent’s various classes. Unlike GT World Challenge global, Mercedes-AMG secured this title ahead of the finale before establishing a 775.5-point margin over BMW at Hampton Downs. Porsche completed the top three.
Christoph Sagemüller, Head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport: "I am incredibly proud that we are manufacturers' champions for the seventh time in a row. This once again underlines the strength of our global Customer Racing programme, which is one of the best in the world. My thanks go to our international teams, who have once again demonstrated impressive consistency and determination to win. With our Mercedes-AMG GT3 and worldwide support, we lay the foundations in Affalterbach, and our Customer Racing Teams translate these into impressive successes. It's a combination that makes me very confident about 2026 as well."
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