The 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) powered by AWS Global Manufacturers Championship may still sit in its early stages, but the fight already carries serious consequences. After 14 of 46 races across America, Asia, Australia and Europe, Porsche leads the way on 392 points, yet Mercedes-AMG sits only 10 points behind.
That narrow margin tells the story of a championship where every race, every class result and every point now matters. Since the previous update after COTA, the series has visited Brands Hatch, Mandalika, Tailem Bend and Sebring. Across those continents, the picture has changed quickly, and the gaps have started to shrink.
As a result, the manufacturers can no longer afford a wasted weekend. Porsche remains in control for now, but Mercedes-AMG continues to apply pressure. Meanwhile, Ferrari has moved into third place, turning the battle behind the top two into another key storyline.
Porsche strengthens its advantage at Sebring
Porsche left Sebring with another strong haul after adding 44 points to its championship tally. That result marked the second-highest score among the competing manufacturers during the weekend and helped the German marque protect its lead at the top.
Tom Sargent and Kyle Washington played a major role in that success. The GMG Racing pair delivered victory in the Pro-Am class with the No. 32 Porsche 911 GT3 R 992 EVO, triumphing after a fierce contest over Sebring’s famously punishing bumps.
Their win also marked their second victory of the season, underlining their growing importance to Porsche’s global title push. Behind them, RS1’s JP Martinez and Jan Heylen continued their own impressive run by claiming a third consecutive podium finish.
Together, those results gave Porsche vital breathing room. However, with Mercedes-AMG still within striking distance, that advantage remains anything but comfortable.
Mercedes-AMG leaves Florida with mixed emotions
Mercedes-AMG experienced a far more complicated weekend in Florida. The manufacturer still scored 24 points, but Sebring also delivered one of the most painful moments of its campaign so far.
Jason Daskalos and Lorcan Hanafin gave Mercedes-AMG a strong result in Pro-Am, taking second place in the No. 27 JMF Motorsports entry. The result had been coming for the pairing and provided a valuable boost in the global standings.
However, the Pro class told a very different story. Michai Stephens and Mikaël Grenier looked set for a major result in the No. 34 Mercedes-AMG after Stephens claimed their third pole position of the season. The car then led most of the race and appeared firmly in control.
Yet the race unravelled inside the final 45 minutes. A mechanical failure ended their challenge and turned a dominant performance into a missed opportunity. Mercedes-AMG still sits close to Porsche, but Sebring showed how quickly momentum can swing in this championship.
Ferrari jumps into third
Ferrari also made meaningful progress at Sebring. The Italian manufacturer moved ahead of BMW M in the standings and now holds third place with 286 points, giving itself a 30-point advantage over the Bavarian marque.
AF Corse USA helped drive that rise. In the Pro class, Matias Perez Companc and Frederik Schandorff brought the No. 12 Ferrari home in third after fighting back from an early setback during the three-hour race.
The team also enjoyed success in the Am category. Jay Schreibman and Oswaldo Negri claimed victory in the No. 163 AF Corse USA Ferrari, giving the manufacturer another important contribution to its points total.
Ferrari still faces a significant gap to the top two, but its Sebring performance showed clear progress. With so many races still remaining, the Prancing Horse cannot yet be counted out.
BMW M and Audi Sport remain in pursuit
Behind Ferrari, BMW M currently sits fourth with 256 points. Although Ferrari has now moved clear, BMW M remains well within range as the championship prepares for another busy stretch.
Audi Sport completes the top five with 218 points. While it faces a larger deficit, the global format still offers plenty of chances to recover ground. With races spread across several regions and categories, one strong run of weekends could quickly change the order.
That structure makes this championship particularly unforgiving. Manufacturers must rely on consistency across different circuits, teams and conditions. One continent can offer opportunity, while the next can punish the smallest mistake.
Busy run ahead could reshape the standings
The next phase of the calendar offers several opportunities for major changes. The global championship heads to Monza on 31 May before a Shanghai double-header on 5 and 6 June. After that, Queensland hosts two more races on 13 and 14 June.
Meanwhile, GT World Challenge America moves on to Road Atlanta from 12 to 14 June. The event will mark SRO America’s first visit to the Georgia venue in more than a decade, adding another layer of unpredictability to an already tight championship fight.
Porsche holds the advantage, but Mercedes-AMG continues to chase hard. Ferrari has re-entered the conversation, while BMW M and Audi Sport still have time to respond. As the calendar gathers pace, the Global Manufacturers Championship has already made one thing clear: every point could decide the title.
Manufacturers’ standings after 14 of 46 races
- Porsche — 392 points
- Mercedes-AMG — 382 points
- Ferrari — 286 points
- BMW M — 256 points
- Audi Sport — 218 points
