Seven elite manufacturers to resume Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS rivalry

An unchanged line-up of seven elite automotive brands will compete for the 2022 Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS title.

The current campaign represents the fourth year of competition for the global concept and sees Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG remain as ever-present participants. Audi and Lamborghini will each embark upon a third assault after debuting in 2020, while BMW, McLaren and Porsche have committed to a second season.

They will reprise their rivalry in a unique sporting contest that rewards manufacturers for the success of their customer racing squads in America, Asia, Australia and Europe. In each continental series the best-finishing GT3 car per brand earns points ranging from 25 at sprint races up to 100 at the marquee TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa. Scores are multiplied by the number of cars competing in each class to produce the final amount.

The 2022 season will comprise 29 global events, all of which will be free to view on the series’ websites, social media platforms and the GT World YouTube channel. The schedule consists of 10 rounds in Europe, seven in America, six for the returning Asian series and a further six in Australia. Participating manufacturers are not required to have representation on all four continents, though doing so will improve their chances of earning the big prize.

That has certainly been the case for Mercedes-AMG, which will once again be the brand to beat as it looks to capture a fourth successive global crown. The German marque can rely on a strong customer base in each series, helping it to notch up consistent points across the globe. Nevertheless, it has not enjoyed an easy time at the top. Lamborghini proved an especially stern contender last term and the Italian brand will aim to go one better in 2022.

Audi Sport leads the early standings this year after winning performances at Phillip Island (18-20 March) and Imola (1-3 April), which opened the Australian and European seasons respectively. Ferrari has made a slower start to 2022 but can target a major points haul when the Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS season kicks off this weekend at Sonoma Raceway (15-17 April). The same will be true of Porsche, which has frequently prospered in the American series’ Pro-Am class.

After finishing sixth last year McLaren could be the big mover of 2022. The British marque is classified third after the opening rounds, its effort aided by a significantly increased contingent of cars in Europe. BMW begins 2022 with a new model, the M4 GT3, and will hope to move up the standings. Its effort will shift up a gear at the American opener, with to a trio of cars confirmed for the trip to California.

This weekend’s Sonoma event kicks off a busy period for Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS, with Brands Hatch staging the second leg of the European season on 30 April/1 May. This is followed by a trip to Magny-Cours on 13-15 May, while Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS races at the iconic Mount Panorama over the same weekend. The Asian series makes its long-awaited return with an event at Sepang on 20-22 May, the same date on which Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS makes its maiden appearance at the Ozarks International Raceway.

Stephane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO: “I am very proud to confirm that seven of the world’s most prestigious automotive manufacturers will continue to compete in Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS this season. The ongoing support of such accomplished brands, each with its own racing heritage, speaks to the unique appeal of this global competition. 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.”