Dakar Dominance: Seven Manufacturers Vie for Global Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS Title
The 2023 Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS is shaping up to be an exhilarating battle, as seven accomplished manufacturers gear up to compete for the global title. This year’s campaign represents the fourth edition of the prestigious championship, and the lineup of participants remains unchanged from the previous season.
Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG continue to be ever-present in the series, while Audi and Lamborghini embark on their third assault after debuting in 2020. BMW, McLaren, and Porsche, meanwhile, have committed to a second season in the global competition.
“The ongoing support of such accomplished brands, each with its own racing heritage, speaks to the unique appeal of this global competition,” said SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stephane Ratel. “It also demonstrates the enduring strength of customer GT3 racing, a platform that remains extremely important to SRO. From a sporting perspective, there is a great deal to look forward to on each continent, and I am sure that we will see a fantastic battle for the global Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS title.”
The championship takes into account results from all four GTWC series worldwide – America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. The best-finishing GT3 car per brand in each continental series earns points ranging from 25 at sprint races up to 100 at the legendary TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa. These scores are then multiplied by the number of cars competing in each class to determine the final tally.
Packed Schedule Ahead
This year’s schedule is packed with action, featuring:
- 10 rounds in Europe
- 7 in America
- 6 for the returning Asian series
- 6 in Australia
Participating manufacturers are not required to have representation on all four continents, but doing so will undoubtedly boost their chances of securing the coveted global title.
While Mercedes-AMG heads into the new season as the three-time and defending champions, Audi Sport currently leads the standings after winning performances at Phillip Island and Imola, which opened the Australian and European seasons respectively.
The action kicks off this weekend at Sonoma, with a busy schedule ahead. Brands Hatch will host the second leg of the European season on April 30-May 1, followed by a trip to Magny-Cours on May 13-15. Concurrently, the GTWC Australia series will race at the iconic Mount Panorama circuit. The Asian series makes its long-awaited return with an event at Sepang on May 20-22, the same date on which GTWC America makes its debut at Ozarks International Raceway.
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