On Saturday, June 7, the BBC’s renowned TC1 studio in West London’s Television Centre became the epicenter of an exhilarating event that captivated a sold-out audience of 700 spectators. The occasion was the first round of the Gran Turismo World Series 2025, featuring the latest iteration of the popular racing simulation game, Gran Turismo 7. Racing enthusiasts and some of the world’s top simulation racers converged in the UK’s capital city to showcase their skills and compete in this prestigious tournament. The atmosphere outside the iconic venue resembled a lively festival, with an impressive array of high-performance cars displayed in the Helios Circle and a large screen broadcasting the intense racing action to those without tickets.
The Gran Turismo World Series is a multi-round championship that brings together the best virtual racers from around the globe. The first event on the agenda was the Manufacturers Cup, a team-based competition where drivers represented their favorite car manufacturers. For Round 1, participants who had qualified online from the Asia-Oceania region took to the track. The race featured Gr.3 cars navigating the challenging Tokyo Expressway – South Counterclockwise circuit.
Seiya Suzuki of Team BMW set the pace early by securing pole position during a two-part qualifying session. Joining him on the front row was Takuya Miyazono, a two-time Manufacturers Cup champion representing Team Subaru. In third position was Shota Sato from Team Porsche, driving the 911 RSR.
As the Grand Final commenced, strategic decisions became crucial. Each team was mandated to make a single pit stop, with the choice between soft- and medium-compound tires. Initially, drivers maintained their positions, cautiously assessing the track conditions and their competitors. However, the race dynamics shifted dramatically after all teams completed their pit stops, transforming the contest into a fiercely competitive battle.
Lap 16 of the race delivered a memorable moment when a fierce midfield clash involving multiple cars resulted in the Porsche 911 RS being nudged from behind, relegating it to the back of the field and abruptly ending its race. The competition reached its climax in a thrilling showdown between Sato in the BMW and Miyazono in the Subaru. The two drivers exchanged the lead several times, but it was Miyazono who executed a flawless overtaking maneuver at the last hairpin, propelling his BRZ GT300 past Sato’s M6 GT3 to capture the checkered flag and earn six championship points. Team BMW settled for five points, while Team Mazda, led by seasoned driver Ryota Kokubun in the RX-VISION GT3, secured the final podium spot and four points.
The excitement continued with the Nations Cup, held on the historic Le Mans 24H track, which provided a fitting backdrop for the Sprint Race, occurring a week before the renowned race’s 93rd edition. The Aston Martin Valkyrie was the chosen vehicle for this segment. Spanish driver Jose Serrano held off his compatriot Pol Urra to claim victory, securing pole position for the Grand Finale.
As tradition dictates in the Gran Turismo World Series, the Grand Final saw drivers switch to the Red Bull X2019 Competition cars, each adorned in their nation’s colors, for a race around the reverse configuration of Gran Turismo 7’s Gran Valley Highway. The majority of drivers opted to commence the 20-lap race on medium-compound tires. However, the Netherlands’ Kaj de Bruin, starting from 10th position, took a bold gamble by selecting soft tires. This strategy paid off initially, allowing him to surge into the lead by the fourth lap. Nevertheless, he struggled to maintain his pace under relentless pressure from Serrano, Urra, France’s Kylian Drumont, Japan’s Takuma Miyazono and Takuma Sasaki, and Italy’s Valerio Gallo.
Reaching speeds exceeding 320 km/h on the straights, the drivers left no room for error. Tire strategy played a critical role: de Bruin made two pit stops, while most competitors managed with just one. Miyazono and Drumont opted for hard-compound tires for their final stints, taking a risk against the favored mediums and softs. In the closing laps, a fierce wheel-to-wheel battle for the lead unfolded between the two Spaniards, with each driver pushing the other to the limit. The enthusiastic sold-out crowd watching the action live was on the edge of their seats, gasping and cheering with every corner and attempted overtake.
Ultimately, Serrano emerged victorious, crossing the finish line first by just over two-tenths of a second. Urra claimed second place, with Gallo completing the podium in third.
With an exhilarating Round 1 in the books, the series now moves from London to Berlin, where Round 2 will be hosted at the Uber Eats Music Hall, conveniently located near the East Side Gallery. Enthusiasts eager to witness the action firsthand can purchase tickets for the Berlin event. Additionally, tickets for Round 3 at The Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles are also available. The Gran Turismo World Series promises more thrilling racing spectacles, making it a must-add to the calendar.
The schedule for the Gran Turismo World Series 2025 is as follows:
– Round 1: London, UK | Saturday, June 7
– Round 2: Berlin, Germany | Saturday, September 20
– Round 3: Los Angeles, USA | Saturday, November 8
– World Finals: Fukuoka, Japan | Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21
For comprehensive details about the Gran Turismo World Series 2025, please visit the official website.
This event not only showcases the incredible talent and strategy involved in virtual racing but also highlights the growing popularity of e-sports and sim racing as a competitive discipline. As technology continues to advance, the line between virtual and real-world motorsport becomes increasingly blurred, providing fans with an immersive and exhilarating experience. Whether you’re a seasoned racing enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of sim racing, the Gran Turismo World Series offers an exciting opportunity to witness top-tier competition and the thrilling spectacle of high-speed racing.
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