GT World Challenge Asia 2026 Heads to Mandalika on May 1–3

JAKARTA, Jakartaweekly.com – The 2026 Indonesia round of the GT World Challenge Asia will take place at Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit, West Nusa Tenggara, from May 1 to 3, 2026. The event forms part of ongoing efforts to develop the national motorsport ecosystem.

Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA) President Director Priandhi Satria said GT World Challenge Asia is among the most prestigious GT3 championships in the region, featuring drivers from across Asia.

“This is a special opportunity to witness world-class GT3 racing up close while experiencing the atmosphere of an international motorsport event in Indonesia,” he said in a statement on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

He noted that several major teams have shown strong intent since the start of the season. Origine Motorsport, for instance, fields Lu Wei and Alessio Picariello in a Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) EVO in the Pro-Am class. Meanwhile, PLUS with BMW M Team Studie relies on the experience of Seiji Ara, paired with Tomohide Yamaguchi, also competing in the Pro-Am category with a BMW M4 GT3 EVO.

Such combinations of seasoned and semi-professional drivers are typical in the category, which demands a balance of performance and consistency.

Competition in the Silver-Am class is equally intense. Team 33R Harmony Racing fields Adderly Fong alongside Sun Jz in a Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo, while Climax Racing pairs Elias Seppanen with Li LiChao in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO. The class is widely regarded as a proving ground for emerging talents progressing toward full professional status.

The presence of factory-backed and semi-factory teams further enhances the competition’s appeal. Audi Sport Asia Team Phantom enters with a strong line-up, including Jaxon Evans alongside Andrés Pato in the Pro-Am class. FAW Audi Sport Asia Team Phantom, meanwhile, competes in the Silver class with Chinese drivers Cheng Congfu and Yu Kuai, reflecting growing regional strength.

In the Am class, several teams are also worth watching, including AMAC Motorsport with William Ben Porter and Andrew Macpherson. The category often delivers highly competitive racing due to variations in performance and race strategy.

Manufacturer dominance from Porsche, Ferrari, BMW, and Mercedes-AMG is evident from the machinery used by most teams. The Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) EVO is among the most popular entries, run by teams such as Absolute Racing and Phantom Global Racing. The Ferrari 296 GT3 has also proven competitive across multiple classes, signaling a new technological era in GT3 racing.

“Overall, the 2026 entry list reflects an increasingly competitive and high-caliber field. The mix of international drivers, advanced vehicle technology, and more refined team strategies makes GT World Challenge Asia one of the most compelling GT racing series in the region,” he said.

Indonesian Drivers to Compete in GT World Challenge Asia

Several Indonesian drivers will also take part in the event. Setiawan Santoso is set to race with Climax Racing in the Am class, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO. His participation, Priandhi said, reflects the consistency of Indonesian drivers in breaking into international GT competitions.

Andrés Pato is another name to watch, competing in the Pro-Am class with Audi Sport Asia Team Phantom in an Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II, a competitive package with front-running potential.

In the Am class, David Tjiptobiantoro will drive a Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo for Garage 75. His experience in GT racing is expected to deliver strong results amid tight competition.

Meanwhile, Andy Tan will represent Absolute Corse in the Pro-Am class behind the wheel of a Ferrari 296 GT3. The combination of a competitive car and racing experience will be key assets in the category.

Additional Indonesian drivers are expected to join in Rounds 3 and 4, with Sean Gelael set to compete in the GT World Challenge Asia.