The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2025 season roared into life with a spectacular debut at the Shanghai International Circuit, setting the stage for an electrifying championship battle. As the teams now prepare to tackle the unfamiliar and technically demanding Mobility Resort Motegi in Japan, anticipation is building for another action-packed weekend.

In a thrilling Shanghai opener, the spotlight shone brightly on Enzo Trulli of TORO Racing and Dylan Pereira from Team Shanghai Yonda BWT. Trulli, a Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Talent Pool Presented by Michelin driver, impressed by claiming pole position and a race win in his debut outing. Meanwhile, Pereira’s consistent performance earned him a victory and the top spot in the championship standings heading into Japan.

Brock Gilchrist (Team Porsche New Zealand) also delivered a strong showing with two podium finishes, though he will miss the Motegi round due to surgery following appendicitis. Fellow frontrunners Amer Harris Jefry (Z.SPEED Motorsport) and Rodrigo Dias Almeida (Team Jebsen) also climbed the podium, leaving Shanghai with momentum on their side.

In Pro-Am, TORO Racing’s Eric Zang and Origine Motorsport newcomer Wang Zhongwei each took a victory, while defending champion Bao Jinlong (BWT Phantom Global Racing) aims to bounce back at Motegi. Other top Pro-Am finishers included Francis Tjia (OpenRoad Racing) and Li Xuanyu (Z.SPEED Motorsport), both showcasing strong pace.

The Am-class produced fireworks of its own, with EBM’s Munkong Sathienthirakul securing back-to-back wins to open his 2025 campaign. He was joined on the podium in both races by 2024 champion Eric Kwong (Bergwerk Motorsport), signaling a potentially fierce title rivalry ahead. Hu Bo (610 Racing) and Yan Chuang (Phantom Global Racing) also made podium appearances, promising more thrilling battles in the coming rounds.

A new addition to the series, the Masters class for drivers over 50, debuted with EBM’s Adrian D’Silva taking two commanding victories. Veterans John Shen (Modena Motorsports) and Christian Chia (OpenRoad Racing) kept the competition tight with solid podium finishes.

As the championship heads to the 4.8-kilometre Mobility Resort Motegi for the first time, the unfamiliar circuit promises to test even the most seasoned drivers. With heavy braking zones, elevation changes, and tight corners—particularly at Turns 1 and 11—precision will be paramount. The absence of ABS in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car further increases the challenge.

Only a handful of drivers, including Trulli—who raced here in Super Formula Lights—have experience at Motegi. Practice sessions will be vital, as noted by Z.SPEED Motorsport’s Li Xuanyu, who aims to improve qualifying consistency. Meanwhile, Am-class title hopeful Eric Kwong is eager to make up for mistakes made in Shanghai.

Christian Chia shared his excitement about the new Masters class, noting the continued passion among veteran racers. “The fire to compete is very much still alive,” he said. “Motegi will be a great test.”

Driver changes see Hendrik Jaya Soewatdy return for TORO Racing, replacing Eric Zang, while Xu Zhefeng steps in for 610 Racing and Wu Jiaxin takes over the #222 Origine Motorsport car.

Motegi is the first of two new circuits on the calendar, with Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia coming later this season. The championship’s return to Japan—where it has raced since 2014—adds a new layer of excitement, especially with Super Formula sharing the event weekend, drawing large crowds of passionate motorsport fans.

Track action begins Friday, 18 April, with qualifying on Saturday morning and Race 1 scheduled for 12:45 local time. Race 2 follows on Sunday at 10:30. Fans can catch all the action live via the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia website and YouTube.

As Porsche Carrera Cup Asia gears up for its Japanese debut at Motegi, drivers, teams, and fans alike are bracing for a weekend full of unpredictability, fierce competition, and high-octane excitement. Stay tuned, because this championship is just getting started.