Porsche has moved into the lead of the 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) powered by AWS Global Manufacturers’ Championship following a commanding performance at the DESDER Indianapolis 8 Hour. The German manufacturer now holds a 32-point advantage over Mercedes-AMG as the season approaches its final three events across Europe, Asia and Australia.
The Indianapolis result transformed the standings after Mercedes-AMG had entered the American finale with a narrow six-point advantage. Porsche’s 66-point haul lifted its championship total to 1,125, while Mercedes-AMG added 28 points to reach 1,093. Ferrari remains third on 1,012 points, keeping the Italian manufacturer firmly in contention with five scoring races still to come.
The result also secured Porsche its fourth Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) Manufacturers’ Championship after GMG Racing claimed a historic overall victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, the global championship remains undecided, with the remaining continental events offering Mercedes-AMG and Ferrari opportunities to challenge Porsche’s advantage.
Indianapolis turns six-point deficit into 32-point lead
The 2026 GTWC Global Manufacturers’ Championship entered Indianapolis following a closely contested period in which Mercedes-AMG, Porsche and Ferrari had repeatedly challenged for the leading positions.
Following the Barcelona Sprint Cup finale, Mercedes-AMG held first place with 1,065 points, just six ahead of Porsche’s 1,059. Ferrari occupied third on 986 points after enjoying a strong run of results across the European and Asian championships.
The narrow margin separating the leading manufacturers meant that Indianapolis presented a significant opportunity to alter the championship order. Porsche needed to outscore Mercedes-AMG by only seven points to move ahead, while Ferrari remained close enough to capitalise on any difficulties encountered by its German rivals.
Ultimately, Porsche delivered the strongest points haul of the weekend, collecting 66 points compared with Mercedes-AMG’s 28 and Ferrari’s 26. The 38-point difference between Porsche and Mercedes-AMG overturned their positions, giving the former its first global championship lead since the closing stages of the European summer.
With three events and five scoring races remaining, the championship battle now enters another decisive phase.
Porsche secures maximum advantage through Indianapolis triumph
Porsche enjoyed an exceptional Indianapolis weekend, combining an outright victory with strong performances from several customer teams to strengthen its Global Manufacturers’ Championship position.
GMG Racing delivered the headline result through Kyle Washington, Riccardo Pera and Ayhancan Güven, who claimed overall victory aboard the #32 Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo. The trio finished 56.209 seconds ahead of Archangel Motorsports, becoming the first Pro-Am entry to win the Indianapolis 8 Hour outright.
Their success followed a carefully executed alternative strategy, with Washington completing his minimum driving time during the opening stages before Pera and Güven delivered the pace necessary to challenge for victory. The record-breaking Indianapolis performance also secured Washington the GTWC America Pro-Am Drivers’ Championship and GMG Racing the corresponding Teams’ title.
Meanwhile, Wright Motorsports contributed another significant result, with Dave Musial Jr., Ryan Yardley and Laurin Heinrich finishing sixth overall and third in Pro-Am aboard the #31 Porsche. Their podium strengthened Porsche’s position in the global championship, where the two highest-scoring entries from each manufacturer contribute towards the total.
The combined performances earned Porsche 66 points, increasing its championship total to 1,125.
Porsche adds fourth IGTC Manufacturers’ title
Porsche’s success at Indianapolis also carried significance beyond the global championship, as the manufacturer secured its fourth IGTC Manufacturers’ title.
The German marque entered the finale with a commanding 38-point lead over Mercedes-AMG following its victory at the Suzuka 1000km. Its success in Japan, where AO by Absolute Racing won and another Absolute Racing Porsche completed the podium, had placed the manufacturer in a strong position heading into Indianapolis.
GMG Racing’s victory ultimately confirmed the title, while Wright Motorsports supplied additional points through Heinrich’s sixth-place finish. Porsche concluded the five-round IGTC campaign with 167 points, finishing 55 ahead of Mercedes-AMG.
The result also marked Porsche’s first overall Indianapolis 8 Hour victory and completed a remarkable sequence of three consecutive IGTC triumphs at Spa-Francorchamps, Suzuka and Indianapolis.
Although the manufacturer has secured the IGTC crown, it must still defend its advantage in the separate GTWC Global Manufacturers’ Championship. The remaining European, Asian and Australian rounds will therefore determine whether Porsche can add another international title to its successful 2026 campaign.
Mercedes-AMG surrenders global lead despite championship success
Mercedes-AMG endured a mixed Indianapolis finale, collecting 28 points but losing the Global Manufacturers’ Championship lead to Porsche.
Notably, Mercedes-AMG Team JMF Motorsports delivered one of the marque’s strongest performances through Michai Stephens, Mikaël Grenier and Maxime Martin. The trio finished fifth overall and third in Pro aboard the #34 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, contributing valuable points to the manufacturer’s global total.
However, the result also ended JMF’s GTWC America Pro Championship challenge. Stephens and Grenier entered Indianapolis leading the standings, but Turner Motorsport’s Pro victory allowed Robby Foley and Justin Rothberg to secure the title, leaving the JMF pairing second.
The sister #27 JMF Motorsports Pro-Am entry encountered mechanical difficulties that forced an early retirement, while the #80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG suffered an even earlier setback. Lin Hodenius crashed into a stranded Porsche during the opening stages, eliminating a car that Luca Stolz and Álex Palou had also been due to drive.
Those retirements reduced Mercedes-AMG’s opportunities to accumulate further points. Consequently, the manufacturer could not match Porsche’s Indianapolis haul, dropping from first to second in the global standings.
MAD Joker victory and Martin’s title provide Mercedes-AMG consolation
Despite the setbacks, Mercedes-AMG still celebrated significant achievements at Indianapolis, particularly in the Am category and the IGTC Drivers’ Championship.
MAD Joker Racing by Lone Star Racing secured the Am class victory through Marc Austin, Ben Keating and Peter Dempsey. The trio overcame strong competition from AF Corse USA and Scuderia Corsa, retaining the victory despite a late penalty following an incident involving Wright Motorsports.
The result provided another class success for Mercedes-AMG, although the manufacturer could not recover enough points to retain its global championship advantage.
Meanwhile, Martin secured his first IGTC Drivers’ Championship through the #34 JMF entry. The Belgian entered Indianapolis eight points behind Championship leader Maro Engel, who missed the finale because of DTM commitments. Stolz’s early retirement further strengthened Martin’s opportunity, leaving the Belgian needing a competitive finish to secure the crown.
Martin ultimately scored 12 points, increasing his total to 72 and finishing four ahead of Engel. Mercedes-AMG therefore concluded the IGTC season with the Drivers’ Championship, even as Porsche secured the Manufacturers’ title.
With 1,093 points in the global standings, Mercedes-AMG remains Porsche’s closest challenger and retains a realistic opportunity to reclaim the lead.
Ferrari remains in contention after double podium for AF Corse
Ferrari continued its competitive form at Indianapolis, adding 26 points to increase its Global Manufacturers’ Championship total to 1,012.
AF Corse USA led the manufacturer’s challenge with podium finishes in both the Pro and Am categories. Matías Pérez Companc, Nicklas Nielsen and Frederik Schandorff finished fourth overall and second in Pro aboard the #12 Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO, having challenged for the class lead during much of the race.
However, Turner Motorsport’s Robby Foley overtook Schandorff during the closing stages, denying AF Corse the Pro victory and the corresponding GTWC America Championship.
The team’s #163 Ferrari also secured second place in Am, with Jay Schreibman, Oswaldo Negri and Benny Simonsen finishing behind MAD Joker Racing. Although the crew missed out on the Indianapolis class win, Schreibman secured his second consecutive GTWC America Am Drivers’ Championship.
Scuderia Corsa added another podium for Ferrari, with its #67 Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO finishing third in the Am category.
The results maintained Ferrari’s position among the leading global manufacturers, although its 26-point Indianapolis haul allowed Porsche to extend its advantage. Ferrari now trails the championship leader by 113 points and Mercedes-AMG by 81, leaving the marque with significant ground to recover during the remaining races.
BMW strengthens fourth place as McLaren makes progress
While Porsche, Mercedes-AMG and Ferrari contest the leading positions, BMW M and Audi Sport continue their battle further down the global standings.
BMW enjoyed a strong Indianapolis finale, with Turner Motorsport securing the Pro class victory through Foley, Rothberg and Connor De Phillippi. The trio finished third overall aboard the #29 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, with Foley making the decisive overtakes during the closing stages to defeat AF Corse.
The result also secured Foley and Rothberg their third consecutive GTWC America Drivers’ Championship after their successful transition from Pro-Am to Pro for 2026.
BMW’s Indianapolis performances added 42 points to its global total, increasing its advantage over Audi Sport. The manufacturer now occupies fourth with 738 points, while Audi remains fifth on 657 after failing to add to its tally during the American finale.
McLaren also made progress following Archangel Motorsports’ second-place overall finish. Todd Coleman, Aaron Telitz and Thomas Fleming delivered a strong Pro-Am performance, contributing to the manufacturer’s 36-point gain and increasing its total to 319.
Although the leading three manufacturers remain well clear, the Indianapolis results reshaped several positions further down the classification.
2026 GTWC Global Manufacturers’ Championship standings after Indianapolis
Following the Indianapolis 8 Hour, Porsche leads the official 2026 Global Manufacturers’ standings with 1,125 points. Mercedes-AMG occupies second, while Ferrari remains the only other manufacturer above the 1,000-point mark.
BMW has strengthened its position in fourth, while Audi completes the leading five. McLaren, Lamborghini and Aston Martin follow, with Ford and Corvette occupying the final positions.
- Porsche — 1,125 points
- Mercedes-AMG — 1,093 points
- Ferrari — 1,012 points
- BMW M — 738 points
- Audi Sport — 657 points
- McLaren — 319 points
- Lamborghini — 204 points
- Aston Martin — 191 points
- Ford — 84 points
- Corvette — 0 points
The gap between Porsche and Mercedes-AMG stands at just 32 points, while Ferrari remains 113 behind the leader. With five scoring races remaining across three continental events, the title battle remains open despite Porsche’s significant Indianapolis gains.
Portimão offers first chance for Mercedes-AMG response
GTWC Europe will provide the next opportunity for manufacturers to influence the global standings when the Endurance Cup season concludes at Portimão on Saturday, 17 October.
The three-hour race will feature 61 GT3 cars across the Pro, Gold Cup, Silver Cup and Bronze Cup categories, bringing together representatives from all ten manufacturers contesting the global championship.
Mercedes-AMG enters the weekend with several competitive entries, including Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter, which has already secured the Endurance Cup Drivers’ Championship through Lucas Auer, Engel and Stolz.
The manufacturer will also attract attention through Max Verstappen’s GTWC Europe debut with Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, where he will join Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat in the #3 entry.
However, Porsche will also have opportunities to strengthen its position through several customer teams, including an expanded Razoon programme. Meanwhile, Ferrari will seek to continue its strong European form after securing a one-two finish in the final Sprint Cup race at Barcelona.
The Portimão Endurance Cup finale therefore represents another important stage in the global title battle, with the outcome potentially changing the standings before the championship moves to Asia.
Shanghai and Adelaide to decide global championship
Following Portimão, the championship will move to Shanghai International Circuit for the GTWC Asia season finale on 31 October and 1 November.
The Asian series will contest two races, providing Porsche, Mercedes-AMG and Ferrari with another opportunity to score points. Porsche enters the event with strong momentum following its success in Beijing, where Absolute Racing secured victory in the second race after recovering from a major Friday fire.
Audi and Ferrari have also demonstrated competitive pace during the Asian campaign, adding further uncertainty to the global manufacturers’ battle.
The championship will then conclude at the Adelaide Grand Final, which takes place from 26–29 November. GTWC Australia will contest its final two races on Saturday, 28 November and Sunday, 29 November, bringing the global campaign to a close on the Adelaide street circuit.
Australia could prove particularly important if the leading manufacturers remain closely matched following Shanghai. With two races available, the final event presents an opportunity for significant movement in the standings, especially if one manufacturer enjoys a particularly strong weekend.
Porsche faces final challenge to defend global lead
Porsche’s Indianapolis performance has transformed the 2026 Global Manufacturers’ Championship, turning a six-point deficit into a 32-point advantage over Mercedes-AMG.
The German manufacturer’s success followed a remarkable Indianapolis victory for GMG Racing, which combined its first major endurance racing triumph with the GTWC America Pro-Am Championship. Wright Motorsports strengthened Porsche’s position further, while the result also secured the marque’s fourth IGTC Manufacturers’ Championship.
However, Mercedes-AMG remains firmly in contention after a season of consistent results across the four continental championships. Ferrari also retains an opportunity to challenge following its strong performances during the closing months of the campaign.
With Portimão, Shanghai and Adelaide still to come, the Championship remains far from decided. Porsche now holds the advantage, but the final five races will determine whether it can convert its Indianapolis momentum into the 2026 GT World Challenge Global Manufacturers’ title.
