James Yu Kuai has secured a fully funded drive at the 2027 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa after winning the inaugural Asian edition of the SRO GT Academy. The 25-year-old Chinese driver claimed the prize following the conclusion of the 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) Asia powered by AWS season at Shanghai International Circuit, adding another achievement to an already successful campaign.
Yu entered the season finale holding a 30-point advantage in the Academy standings, which he extended through his qualifying performance and Saturday’s opening race. His lead subsequently became almost unassailable, with only a potential points deduction for an incident or infringement capable of preventing him from securing the award.
However, an error-free performance during Sunday’s final race confirmed his victory, with Yu eventually finishing 47 points ahead of Elias Seppänen in the Academy classification.
The result also capped a successful season for Yu and FAW Audi Sport Asia Team Phantom teammate Cheng Congfu. The pairing secured two outright race victories and finished sixth in the overall Drivers’ Championship, while successfully defending their Silver class title.
Thus, Yu will now join Jarrod Waberski and Ryan Yardley in Team Motopark’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 at Spa, with the Australian Academy winner completing the four-driver line-up later this month.
Yu secures Academy victory after successful Shanghai finale
Yu arrived at Shanghai in a strong position following consistent performances throughout the 2026 campaign. His 30-point advantage placed him firmly in control of the Academy competition, although the final weekend still offered opportunities for his rivals to reduce the deficit.
The Chinese driver strengthened his position during Saturday’s qualifying sessions and opening race, extending his advantage sufficiently to leave only a potential points deduction capable of changing the outcome.
However, Yu remained focused on the wider championship battle, with he and Cheng also attempting to secure their second consecutive Silver class title.
The pairing entered Sunday’s finale three points behind Harmony Racing’s Liu Kaishun following Saturday’s results. Nevertheless, they capitalised on their rivals’ difficulties to finish second in class and secure the championship with 213 points, just three ahead of Liu.
As detailed in the 2026 GTWC Asia Shanghai race report, Yu’s controlled performance also confirmed his position as Asia’s SRO GT Academy winner.
He finished the Academy competition 47 points ahead of Seppänen, securing his place at Spa after a season in which seven eligible drivers initially contested the award.
Yu delighted with opportunity to compete at Spa
The Academy victory provides Yu with an opportunity to compete in one of the world’s most prestigious GT endurance races, marking another significant step in his international racing career.
Although the Chinese driver had entered Shanghai as the leading Academy contender, he explained that securing the Silver class championship alongside Cheng remained his primary objective throughout the weekend.
“Wow, what an opportunity! Winning SRO GT Academy really is the icing on the cake of another successful season with Franky in Asia. I hadn’t thought about the Academy too much before Shanghai because we were fully focused on winning the class title. I didn’t want to jeopardise that by over-analysing my own performance.”
His success also provides a route into European endurance racing that might otherwise have proved difficult to access.
For Yu, the chance to make his debut at the 24 Hours of Spa carries particular significance, especially as the Academy provides a fully funded entry rather than requiring its winners to secure an independent race programme.
“But I’d also be lying if the thought of racing at Spa for the first time hadn’t crossed my mind. There isn’t an obvious pathway from Asia without something like SRO GT Academy so I’m very proud to be its first winner and also grateful for the opportunity to join Jarrod, Ryan and Australia’s top Silver next year.”
Transition to Mercedes-AMG presents new challenge
Yu will also face a significant change in machinery when he joins Team Motopark for the 2027 endurance classic.
The Chinese driver has spent several seasons competing with Audi Sport Asia, establishing himself as a successful GT3 competitor alongside Cheng. Their partnership produced consecutive GTWC Asia Silver championships in 2025 and 2026, demonstrating their competitiveness against an increasingly strong field.
However, the Academy programme will require Yu to switch from Audi’s R8 LMS GT3 to the front-engined Mercedes-AMG GT3. The transition will introduce different vehicle characteristics, with Yu also needing to adapt to a new team and teammates.
Despite the challenge, the 25-year-old expressed his appreciation for the support he has received throughout his career, particularly from Audi Sport Asia.
“Driving the front-engined Mercedes-AMG GT3 represents a big change for me after several years exclusively racing for Audi Sport Asia. They deserve a lot of the credit for this achievement and for also believing in me. So a big thank you to everyone who has played a part in this.”
The opportunity will allow Yu to build on his achievements in Asia while gaining experience in a different GT3 package during his first appearance at Spa.
SRO GT Academy evaluates individual performances
The SRO GT Academy expanded its international programme for 2026, offering young drivers from four different championships the opportunity to secure a fully funded seat at the following year’s 24 Hours of Spa.
The competition recognises FIA Silver-graded drivers under the age of 30, with eligible competitors earning points through individual performances rather than relying exclusively on conventional championship results.
The evaluation system considers qualifying performance, race results, fastest laps and average lap times during individual stints. Officials can also apply deductions for driving infringements or other incidents, making consistency and avoiding mistakes important factors in the final classification.
Unlike the overall GTWC Asia standings, where two drivers share a car and contribute towards the final result, the Academy attempts to assess each eligible competitor independently.
This approach allows SRO to compare drivers competing alongside different teammates and in different machinery, reducing some of the variables that can influence traditional GT racing classifications.
The system also played an important role in the British GT Academy contest, where Waberski defeated Charles Clark by just two points to secure the first available Spa seat.
Yu’s 47-point advantage over Seppänen ultimately provided a more comfortable margin in the Asian competition.
Yu joins Waberski and Yardley in Team Motopark line-up
Yu becomes the third driver to secure a place in the SRO GT Academy’s 2027 Spa programme, joining Waberski and Yardley in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 operated by Team Motopark.
Waberski claimed the British GT Academy award following a closely contested championship battle at Brands Hatch. The Anglo-South African combined his Academy success with the British GT Silver-Am Championship alongside Alex Martin, earning the first confirmed place in the four-driver crew.
Yardley subsequently secured the American Academy prize at Indianapolis, following a competitive GTWC America campaign with Wright Motorsports.
The New Zealander finished second in the Pro-Am Drivers’ Championship alongside Dave Musial Jr., while his individual performances proved sufficient to secure the Academy victory.
Yu’s confirmation means three of the four available positions have now been filled. The final driver will emerge from the GT World Challenge Australia Academy competition, which concludes on the streets of Adelaide at the end of November.
The Australian winner will complete Team Motopark’s line-up for the 2027 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, scheduled for 24–27 June.
Spa opportunity completes memorable 2026 campaign for Yu
Yu’s Academy victory adds another achievement to an already successful 2026 campaign, during which he and Cheng retained the GTWC Asia Silver Championship and secured the China Cup title.
Their two outright victories also helped the Audi pairing finish sixth in the overall Drivers’ Championship with 107 points, demonstrating their competitiveness beyond their class.
The final GTWC Asia standings following Shanghai confirmed the pair’s Silver title with 213 points, while their China Cup success reflected another consistent season together.
However, the Academy award offers Yu a different opportunity. Rather than continuing exclusively in the Asian GT racing environment, he will now compete alongside three other young drivers at one of Europe’s most demanding endurance events.
With Waberski and Yardley already confirmed, the team has begun taking shape ahead of the 2027 season. The remaining Australian contest will determine the final member before the four drivers prepare for their first appearance together.
For Yu, the achievement represents both recognition of his individual performances and an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities on an international stage, concluding a memorable season with a confirmed place at the 2027 24 Hours of Spa.
