Mercedes-AMG has reclaimed the lead of the global GT World Challenge powered by AWS Manufacturers’ Championship as the 2026 campaign moves into its second half.
Twenty-five of the season’s 42 rounds have now taken place across the regional championships. Although GT World Challenge America remains on its summer break, recent events in Europe, Asia and Australia have continued to reshape the global standings.
Mercedes-AMG currently leads with 725 points, only 19 ahead of Porsche on 706. Meanwhile, Ferrari remains within striking distance in third with 639 points as the manufacturers prepare for an increasingly important final phase of the season.
Mercedes-AMG regains control of the championship
Mercedes-AMG and Porsche have exchanged the championship lead several times during the opening half of the campaign.
Both manufacturers have produced strong results across the regional series, creating a close contest that has prevented either marque from establishing a decisive advantage.
However, Mercedes-AMG has regained the initiative as the calendar moves beyond its halfway point. The defending champion now holds 725 points after continuing to score strongly across Europe, Asia and Australia.
Nevertheless, its 19-point advantage provides little protection. One difficult weekend could allow Porsche to return to the top, particularly when several regional championships stage races within a short period.
Therefore, Mercedes-AMG must continue delivering consistent results across every category and continent rather than relying on success in one championship.
Porsche remains firmly within striking distance
Porsche sits second on 706 points after spending part of the season at the head of the standings.
The German manufacturer has built its challenge through strong performances across the GT World Challenge platform. In particular, its Pro-Am crews have played an important role in GT World Challenge America.
Multiple Porsche entries have regularly challenged at the front of the class, giving the manufacturer several opportunities to score during each event.
Consequently, Porsche remains well placed to respond when the American championship resumes. Its depth across the Pro-Am field could prove especially valuable during the final three rounds.
However, the manufacturer must also maintain its form in the other regional series. With Mercedes-AMG collecting points across several categories, Porsche cannot depend entirely on its American programme to close the gap.
GT World Challenge America could shape title outcome
GT World Challenge America will return at Road America after its summer break.
The championship will then visit Barber Motorsports Park before concluding with the Indianapolis 8 Hour. Those events could significantly influence the global standings because they offer three further opportunities for manufacturers to add to their totals.
Porsche has established itself as a leading force in Pro-Am, while Mercedes-AMG has set the standard in the Pro class. Therefore, the two manufacturers will approach the remaining American rounds with different but equally valuable sources of points.
Road America could immediately change the championship order. Strong results from multiple Porsche crews could eliminate the 19-point deficit, while another dominant Mercedes-AMG Pro performance could increase the defending champion’s advantage.
Meanwhile, the Indianapolis 8 Hour will bring additional significance. As the American season finale and a major endurance event, it could play a decisive role in determining the global champion.
Mercedes-AMG relies on Pro-class strength
Mercedes-AMG has consistently produced competitive Pro-class performances throughout the American campaign.
That success has helped the manufacturer remain near the top of the global standings even when Porsche gained ground through its larger Pro-Am presence.
The remaining rounds will require Mercedes-AMG to continue converting outright pace into victories and podiums. Although the manufacturer currently leads, its narrow margin leaves no room for retirements, penalties or strategic errors.
Moreover, the global format rewards manufacturers that score consistently across several championships. Mercedes-AMG must therefore balance its American ambitions with the ongoing campaigns in Europe, Asia and Australia.
A poor event in one region could offset a strong performance elsewhere. Conversely, a weekend with several victories across different continents could transform the championship gap.
Ferrari closes on the leading pair
Ferrari has quietly assembled a strong campaign and now occupies third with 639 points.
The Italian manufacturer trails Mercedes-AMG by 86 points and Porsche by 67. Although those gaps remain significant, Ferrari still has enough opportunities to enter the championship fight.
Strong results across multiple regional series could quickly reduce the deficit. Furthermore, Ferrari fields competitive entries in several classes, giving it numerous opportunities to score during each weekend.
Its position also places additional pressure on the leading pair. Mercedes-AMG and Porsche cannot focus solely on each other while Ferrari continues to accumulate points behind them.
Therefore, the contest has developed into a three-marque battle rather than a straightforward duel.
Every regional result carries greater importance
The global Manufacturers’ Championship combines results from GT World Challenge competitions around the world.
Consequently, each regional event contributes to a wider title fight. A victory in Europe carries significance beyond the local championship, while class success in America, Asia or Australia can also shift the global order.
With 17 rounds remaining, manufacturers still have substantial opportunities to gain or lose ground.
However, fewer events now lie ahead than behind. Each mistake therefore carries greater consequences because teams have less time to recover lost points.
Reliability will play an increasingly important role. Manufacturers must avoid mechanical failures while teams execute pit stops, strategies and driver changes cleanly.
Meanwhile, the depth of each marque’s customer racing programme could determine the championship. Manufacturers with several competitive entries across multiple classes can limit the impact of one poor result and maintain a steady points supply.
International calendar creates unpredictable momentum swings
The global championship can change quickly because several regional series often compete within the same period.
A manufacturer may begin a weekend with a narrow lead before results across Europe, Asia, Australia or America completely reshape the standings.
Mercedes-AMG has benefited from the latest momentum swing. However, Porsche previously held first place and remains close enough to respond immediately.
Ferrari also retains a realistic chance to close the gap if its teams deliver a series of strong performances.
Therefore, no manufacturer can confidently control the championship through conservative results. Each contender must continue targeting victories while protecting itself from costly setbacks.
Global championship enters decisive second half
Mercedes-AMG holds the advantage as the second half of the global GT World Challenge campaign begins, but its lead remains far from secure.
Porsche sits only 19 points behind and will look to capitalise when GT World Challenge America returns at Road America. Meanwhile, Ferrari remains close enough to turn the leading duel into an even tighter three-manufacturer contest.
The remaining American rounds at Road America, Barber Motorsports Park and Indianapolis could carry particular importance. Nevertheless, continued competition across Europe, Asia and Australia ensures that the championship can change during almost any race weekend.
After 25 of 42 rounds, Mercedes-AMG leads the way. However, the narrow gaps and global nature of the competition ensure that the fight for manufacturers’ honours remains open.
