Shanghai replaces Buriram in 2026 GTWC Asia calendar

Being the series that flourished the most in recent years inside the SRO portfolio, GT World Challenge Asia will have a majorly stable calendar for 2026, mostly because of the organization led by Stéphane Ratel expanding its activities in China.
 
Stéphane Ratel always had his eyes in the Chinese market, with the COVID outbreak being the biggest barrier, but once the borders were open, it was inevitable that Chinese teams and drivers would join GT World Challenge Asia, and consequently the series would have at least a venue in the calendar, with the expansion confirmed in 2026 as Shanghai becomes the third venue in the schedule.
 
With the series not increasing the number of rounds, compromises had to be done, which meant dropping Buriram from the calendar, which reduces the number of countries from five to four. This replacement is specially noticeable since SRO joined forces with the Thailand Super Series this year, meaning that the competition will use SRO’s Balance of Performance and Pirelli P ZERO DHG tires, but TSS is struggling to put a decent GT3 grid its main class, while Chinese teams are investing heavily on national and international scale.
 
Sepang and Mandalika keep their spots as opening weekends of the series, with Shanghai appearing in early June. While Fuji and the season finale at the new Beijing Street Circuit only need a date to be confirmed, a second weekend in Japan to act as the penultimate round in August still has no venue confirmed, with Ratel saying in the press conferece that SRO has multiple options to choose.
 
2026 GT World Challenge Asia calendar:
 
4-5 April - Sepang
2-3 May - Mandalika
5-6 June - Shanghai
July - Fuji
August - TBA in Japan
October - Beijing
 
PHOTO: SRO/JEP