• Weissach marque on course to beat seven-time champion Mercedes-AMG
• Porsche leads scorers at successive rounds in America, Europe and Asia
• Adelaide to host season finale on 28/29 November
• GT World Challenge global standings
Porsche is on the cusp of securing the 2026 GT World Challenge powered by AWS manufacturers' title, though seven-time champion Mercedes-AMG retains a shot at the crown heading into the season finale in Australia.
The Weissach marque has enjoyed an excellent run of performances around the globe, topping the table at three successive race weekends. Porsche led the way at Indianapolis (10 October), Portimão (17 October) and Shanghai (31 October/1 November), which marked the closing rounds for GT World Challenge America, Europe and Asia respectively.
Mercedes-AMG held a narrow advantage of six points prior to this run but is now 75 in arrears with 86 to score at the closing GT World Challenge Australia meeting. It must win both races at the Adelaide street circuit to stand any chance of retaining the title, which it has held without exception since 2019.
Porsche began its run of success at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The IMS road course layout was the scene of the GT World Challenge America decider, as well as the closing round for Intercontinental GT Challenge. At the eighth time of asking, Porsche finally claimed its maiden DESDER Indianapolis 8 Hour victory with GMG Racing, sealing the brand's fourth IGTC manufacturers’ title and a vital advantage in the battle for GT World Challenge glory.
GMG laid the foundations for its win by switching to an alternate strategy shortly before half distance, putting the California squad’s 911 in prime position when the chequered flag dropped. Bronze-rated Kyle Washington completed his drive time early before handing over to Riccardo Pera and factory ace Ayhancan Güven to capture Porsche's 10th global win of 2026.
Archangel Motorsports finished second for McLaren, while BMW squad Turner Motorsport was third and snatched the GT World Challenge America title in the process. Mercedes-AMG had initially been a factor at the front, not least the JMF entry that led the second and third hours, but fell out of podium contention to finish fifth.
One week later, the European season closed at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, better known as Portimão. The event received unprecedented attention thanks to the presence of Max Verstappen, who made his series debut at the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG. The Dutch ace joined a 61-car grid for the finale, the biggest-ever GT World Challenge field outside the 24 Hours of Spa.
Though it was not Max's car, AMG was the victorious brand in Portugal. The #17 GetSpeed crew of Maximilian Götz, Fabian Schiller and Ralf Aron jumped to the head of the field after the first round of pit stops, executing a perfect overcut to seize control of the race. This was an especially sweet result for Aron, who missed much of the 2026 campaign after sustaining injuries at IGTC’s season-opening Meguiar's Bathurst 12 Hour.
Though it was beaten to the win, Porsche was the top points scorer at Portimão. The second and third steps on the podium were both occupied by its 911 teams, with Lionspeed GP edging a close fight with Boutsen VDS to secure runner-up spot. While it only narrowly outscored its rival, this was enough to give Porsche a 40-point advantage with two rounds remaining.
Staged at the Shanghai International Circuit, the final round of GT World Challenge Asia presented the first opportunity for Porsche to wrap up the title. Given its dominance in this series the prospect was very real, but it was a Ferrari that led the field home in Race 1 as Harmony’s 296 scored its third victory of the season. Lamborghini was second thanks to Absolute Racing, with the best of the Porsches – Origine Motorsport’s title-contending entry – coming home third.
With a continental championship to be won, the Origine crew of Lu Wei and Laurin Heinrich left nothing to chance in Race 2. They triumphed from pole to earn Lu his maiden series title. Absolute was second once again – this time with its 911 – giving Porsche a one-two finish. Nevertheless, the global title would have to wait, with Climax Racing taking third for Mercedes-AMG. This gave the Affalterbach marque its biggest score of the season in Asia and set up a final showdown in Adalaide.
But it will be a very tall order. Nothing less than a brace of Mercedes-AMG victories – plus at least one more podium finish – will be enough to prevent Porsche from landing its first global title. Even if AMG can achieve a perfect weekend on the streets of Adelaide, Porsche would need just a handful of points to finish the job.
Ferrari will end the season in third spot having pulled a big gap over BMW and Audi. Thereafter the table is completed by McLaren, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Ford and Corvette.
GT World Challenge Australia will close the 2026 campaign with a pair of races on 28/29 November.
