The second half of the global GT World Challenge powered by AWS campaign has officially begun, with 25 out of the total 42 rounds having elapsed, and the fight for the Manufacturers Championship is shaping up to be one of the closest in recent years.
While GT World Challenge America powered by AWS remains on its summer break ahead of next month's return at Road America, the championship battle has continued to evolve around the world. Races across Europe, Asia, and Australia have kept the points tally moving, with the leaderboard changing hands multiple times throughout the season.
One storyline, however, has remained constant: Porsche and defending champions Mercedes-AMG continue to separate themselves at the front of the field.
Both manufacturers have spent time atop the standings during the opening half of the campaign, but the momentum has swung once again in Mercedes-AMG’s favor. Entering the back half of the season, Mercedes-AMG leads the global Manufacturers Championship with 725 points, reclaiming the top spot over Porsche, which sits just 19 points behind on 706.
With such slim margins separating the championship contenders, every race weekend carries added significance, more weight, and increased pressure. There is little room for mistakes as manufacturers continue to score points across every GT World Challenge championship worldwide.
GT World Challenge America is poised to play a significant role in determining the outcome. Porsche has enjoyed tremendous success in the Pro-Am category throughout the season, consistently placing multiple entries at the front of the field, while Mercedes-AMG has established itself as the benchmark in the Pro class.
As the American championship resumes in one month’s time, the remaining rounds at Road America, Barber Motorsports Park, and the season-ending Indianapolis 8 Hour could prove decisive. Strong performances at any of those events may ultimately tip the balance in one of the tightest Global Manufacturers Championship battles in years.
However, the fight is far from a two-man contest. Ferrari has quietly put together a strong campaign and continues to close the gap on the leaders. Now sitting third in the standings with 639 points, the Italian manufacturer trails by fewer than 100 points while remaining within striking distance. A string of strong results across multiple continents could quickly pull Ferrari into the championship fight.
As fewer rounds lie ahead than behind, the direction in which the standings may go is becoming increasingly difficult to predict. While Mercedes-AMG holds a narrow advantage, and have proven many times over that they have what it takes to win, the others are not backing down anytime soon.
If the first half of the season has proven anything, it's that the championship lead can change in a single weekend. With many months of racing still to come across all continents, the fight for global bragging rights is nowhere near over.
To see the next round of American action unfold from August 28th to 30th, get your GT World Road America tickets now!