The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) Asia Esports GT Championship 2025 wrapped up in an exciting weekend at Toyota Alive Space, Bangkok. Fifteen of Asia’s best sim drivers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand took part in three high-energy races in Gran Turismo 7.
The event started with five colorful car designs, each showcasing the countries represented, adding excitement and identity to the event.
In the individual competition, Indonesia’s Andika Rama took first place with 74 points, showing great skills and focus in his racing strategy. His countrymate, Moreno Pratama, finished in second place with 62 points, while Malaysia’s Chong Kai Chang came in third with 59 points.
With two drivers on the podium, Indonesia totaled 169 points from Andika Rama, Farizi Pramaditya, and Moreno Pratama, winning the Country Championship. Malaysia and Singapore placed second and third, earning 151 and 93 points, respectively, demonstrating strong teamwork throughout the three races.
Race Highlights
The Suzuka circuit set the stage for an exciting opening race, where drivers pushed the GR Yaris through its famous twists and fast straights. The race became even tougher due to a sudden heavy rain, making every lap a challenge for the drivers. They had to carefully choose and use their tires, balancing grip and durability to handle the slippery track, all while timing their pit stops to keep their speed without wasting time.
Malaysian driver Taj Aiman took an early lead, but soon attention focused on a thrilling three-way battle among Andika Rama, Malaysia’s Chong Kai Chang, and Iqbal Suji for the top spots. Fans watched intently as the trio raced closely in the slick conditions.
In the final laps, Andika Rama made a strong move to win the race. Following him were his countryman Moreno Pratama in second place and Chong Kai Chang in third. Despite leading six out of seven laps, Taj Aiman fell to fourth due to tire problems, resulting in a surprising shift from Malaysian to Indonesian drivers at the top of the rankings.
The Interlagos leg — the longest race yet at 21 laps, almost three times as long as Suzuka — took place during a dramatic day-to-night change, making the competition more challenging. This was also the first time in the Championship’s history that a full team format race was introduced.
Each team had three drivers in the GR010 Hybrid and had to switch drivers twice during the race.
This open format put a lot of pressure on real-time decisions: strategies for pit stops, tire management, energy saving, and keeping a good speed as track conditions changed.
Malaysia, led by the first driver Taj Aiman, gained an early lead, with Singapore’s Fadtris Isa and Indonesia close behind. Both Indonesia and Singapore were great at managing their tires, making fewer pit stops, while Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand used more tires, impacting the middle section of the race.
As night fell over Interlagos at Lap 15, Malaysia took advantage of the pit-stop opportunity: Iqbal Suji, the third driver, returned to the track just as Singapore and Indonesia pitted, taking back the lead. By Lap 16, the different strategies had created a 17-second gap between Singapore and Malaysia.
Malaysia’s well-timed driver swaps and teamwork allowed them to keep their lead in the final laps, winning the race. Indonesia’s smart strategy and consistency in changing conditions earned them second place, while Singapore held on to secure third.
The final showdown at Watkins Glen took place over 14 exciting laps, requiring quick thinking and precision. Racing in the GR Supra Race Car ’19, Indonesia and Malaysia led early in the race, with Andika Rama carrying his success from Suzuka. The competition was tight, with almost all drivers within a second of each other.
A brave early pit stop by the Malaysian team moved them into the top three by Lap 9. However, this strategy backfired when their tires wore out quickly on the soft compounds, forcing them to make another stop just three laps later to switch to medium tires. This situation allowed Indonesia to regain their place near the front.
Singapore’s Fadtris Isa had a standout moment, moving up to second place and catching up to the leader, Andika Rama. His effort briefly changed the positions within the race and kept both Indonesia and Malaysia alert.
In the closing laps, Andika Rama’s careful racing and smart strategy earned him his second win of the night, with teammate Moreno Pratama finishing in second place. Malaysia’s Chong Kai Chang made an impressive comeback, moving from seventh to third after his second pit stop, passing four drivers in a strong late-race effort to secure the final podium position at Watkins Glen.
“This year’s TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia Esports GT Championship showcased exactly what the TGR philosophy stands for,” said Jaja Ishibashi, General Manager of Toyota Motor Asia. “Every racer pushed their limits, refined their approach, and demonstrated remarkable composure across changing conditions. Beyond the results, what stood out most was the collective commitment to improvement and teamwork. These are values that continue to drive GAZOO Racing forward.”
Responding to his win at the championships — his second TGR Asia Esports GT Championship title since 2023, Andika Rama commented, “Winning the 2025 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia Esports GT Championship is the result of months of preparation and sticking to our race strategies, even as other teams pushed hard and made aggressive pit calls. We focused on refining our approach lap by lap, adjusting in real time while remaining true to our plan. Each corner, each tire change, and each overtaking decision was an opportunity to improve. Seeing our strategy pay off and being crowned Asia’s champion again gives us an incredible sense of pride.”
Echoing Andika Rama’s sentiments, first runner-up Moreno Pratama added, “Competing against the top drivers in Asia was definitely a challenge. Every race tested my focus, adaptability, and determination. Teamwork was evident in every lap for every one of us. In such races, it is not just about speed, but about evolving and supporting one another. I’m proud to have pushed myself to the limit and to have earned a podium finish at the Asia Finals.”
Following his strong performance, second runner-up Chong Kai Chang said, “Finishing third feels mixed. I aimed for the championship, but achieving my first podium at the Asia Finals is still a significant win. Competing against Asia’s best motivates me to keep getting better, and I’m excited for future races.”
Special awards were given to highlight outstanding drivers. Andika Rama was named Driver of the Day, Malaysia’s Chong Kai Chang won Best Racecraft Driver, and Singapore’s Fadtris Isa took home Fastest Race Pace.
The final positions were based on total points earned from finishes in all three races, with extra points for the fastest laps. The top three individuals and teams received cash prizes of USD 8,000, USD 4,500, and USD 3,000, respectively.
To re-watch the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia Esports GT Championship 2025, please click here.
Winners & Prizes
| Individual Championship | |||
| Winner | Prize | Name | Points |
| 1st Place | USD 8,000 | Andika Rama Maulana (IND) | 74 |
| 2nd Place | USD 4,500 | Moreno Pratama (IND) | 62 |
| 3rd Place | USD 3,000 | Chong Kai Chang (MY) | 59 |
| Country Championship | |||
| 1st Place | USD 8,000 | Indonesia | 169 |
| 2nd Place | USD 4,500 | Malaysia | 151 |
| 3rd Place | USD 3,000 | Singapore | 93 |
| Special Awards | |||
| Driver of the Day | Andika Rama Maulana (IND) | ||
| Best Racecraft Driver | Chong Kai Chang (MY) | ||
| Fastest Race Pace | Fadtris Isa (SG) | ||
Drivers
| Country | Drivers |
| Thailand | Thanaphat Pungphat |
| Chaiyapat Lipikornkosol | |
| Akkaparon Meesanthea | |
| Malaysia | Taj Izrin Aiman |
| Iqbal Suji | |
| Chong Kai Chang | |
| Singapore | Muhammad Fadtris Bin Isa |
| Ethan Yoh | |
| Jarod Yikai Zulkifly | |
| Indonesia | Moreno Pratama |
| Farizi Pramaditya | |
| Andika Rama Maulana | |
| Philippines | Victor Ancheta |
| Enzo Ison | |
| Matthew Ang |