Alongside Porsche Sports Cup China as Thailand Super Series travels to Buriram
Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific heads to this weekend’s GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS finale at Shanghai International Circuit with three cars in the fight for title glory. Porsche Sports Cup China is also present at the venue, with over 150 Porsche road cars set to join the event, including 30 two-door sports cars competing in the Porsche Drivers’ Competition. Meanwhile, Thailand Super Series hosts its penultimate event of the 2026 season, with four cars in action at Chang International Circuit.
GT World Challenge Asia
Porsche customers have had a strong year in the championship to date, taking victory in five of the 10 races. Lu Wei of Origine Motorsport has two of those, alongside three further podiums, which means he arrives in Shanghai leading the standings. The Chinese driver is re-united with Laurin Heinrich in the #11 Porsche 911 GT3 R, as they look to continue their excellent form together, having taken a trio of top-three finishes this year.
Wei’s nearest rivals for the title are Absolute Racing duo Huang Ruohan and Alessandro Ghiretti, who bounced back from a tough few races to take victory last time out in Beijing. The pair also secured the win in the opener at Sepang, and will be looking to return to their early season form, which saw them three times on the podium in the first four races.
Anthony Liu also remains in contention, although the Phantom Global Racing man sits 28 points behind Wei. Aboard the #37 car, Liu has taken a solitary win this season, at Mandalika International Circuit alongside Loek Hartog, who returns to the championship with Liu for his second appearance of the campaign for the team.
Elsewhere in the Pro-Am class, Hiroaki Nagai and Kazuto Kotaka have been improving strongly throughout the season and will look to extend their run of points finishes, which currently sits at three races in a row. Meanwhile, the #918 Absolute Racing car returns, with Kevin Tse making his GT World Challenge Asia debut alongside Porsche Driver and multiple-time race winner in the series Alessio Picariello.
Three Porsche entries run in the Am category, as Liu Hangcheng and Wang Zhongwei aim to overcome a 12-point deficit to clinch the title for Origine Motorsport, having secured four class wins so far this campaign. Andrew Macpherson and Ben Porter picked up their second victory of the year last time out in Beijing in the AMAC Motorsport car, while HZO Fortis Racing by Absolute Racing returns with Haziq Zariel Oh and Aaron Lim Say Joon, following their maiden podium in the series last month.
Lu Wei, Origine Motorsport: “We’ve had a strong year so far in GT World Challenge Asia, but we know the competition for the title is strong, so we will have to be on top form in the final two races. The team has given me a great car all season, and I’m sure they will do the same again to give myself and Laurin the best chance out on track.”
Laurin Heinrich, Origine Motorsport: “After missing Beijing I‘m excited to be back for the season finale in Shanghai. We have had a great run this season so far and obviously our clear goal is to secure the championship for Wei. There couldn’t be a better place for it other than at the team’s home race!”
Huang Ruohan, Absolute Racing: “With just two races remaining this season, we’re five points behind the championship leader, so we’re expecting a very close and competitive fight for the title. Everyone knows Shanghai International Circuit well, which makes every detail even more important. We’ll give it our best, focus on every aspect of our performance, and do everything we can to fight for the championship this weekend.”
Alessandro Ghiretti, Absolute Racing: “It’s been a bit of an up and down season for us, but we put in a great performance last time out in Beijing, so we want to keep that momentum going. Our objective is clear, we want to win the title and we’re ready to give it our all. I know Ron has been strong at Shanghai in the past, and we can adapt quickly as a team. I’ve never driven at this track in a GT3 car, so that will be a challenge, but one we’re fully ready for. I’m really excited for the weekend, Absolute Racing and Tempo are a great combination so we’ll do all we can to take the crown.”
Loek Hartog, Phantom Global Racing: “I’m excited to be back in GT World Challenge Asia with Phantom Global Racing and I’m happy to have the opportunity to drive with Anthony again. My only goal is to help Anthony win the championship, it’s not going to be easy but we have a good record together so we will aim to continue that.”
Kevin Tse, Absolute Racing: “I'm delighted to join Absolute Racing for the season finale. Competing in GT World Challenge Asia and driving a Porsche are both new challenges for me, and I'm really looking forward to teaming up with Alessio. He has extensive experience with Porsche machinery and knows Shanghai International Circuit very well, which I believe will be a great help to me. We'll give it our all and aim to put in a strong performance in our first outing together.”
Alessio Picariello, Absolute Racing: “I’m happy to join Absolute Racing and Kevin for the season finale in Shanghai this weekend. Kevin is one of the quickest Bronze drivers in the world and I’m looking forward to sharing the #918 car with him.”
