Indonesia Dominates as Strategy, Skill, and Nerve Define the 2025 TGR Asia Esports GT Championship Finale

The 2025 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) Asia Esports GT Championship came to a spectacular close at Toyota Alive Space in Bangkok, where fifteen of Asia’s finest sim racers clashed across three high-stakes rounds in Gran Turismo 7. Drivers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand brought not only exceptional skill to the digital circuit, but also striking national pride through five custom livery designs adorning the GR Yaris.

From the first green light to the last chequered flag, the event delivered relentless action, razor-thin margins, and strategic masterstrokes — with Indonesia emerging as the undeniable powerhouse of the 2025 season.

Indonesia’s star driver, Andika Rama, delivered an extraordinary performance to claim the individual championship with 74 points. His combination of composure, adaptability, and tactical discipline set him apart throughout the final weekend. Fellow Indonesian Moreno Pratama secured first runner-up with 62 points, while Malaysia’s Chong Kai Chang clinched third with a strong 59-point showing.

With two Indonesians on the individual podium and consistent support from teammate Farizi Pramaditya, Indonesia amassed 169 points to win the Country Championship. Malaysia followed with 151 points, while Singapore took third with 93 — each demonstrating resilience and teamwork in a tightly contested field.

The championship’s opening salvo at Suzuka Circuit threw drivers straight into the deep end — literally. As the only wet race of the weekend, a sudden downpour transformed the circuit into a treacherous battle of grip management and split-second reactions.

Malaysia’s Taj Aiman led early, but the real fireworks erupted between Indonesia’s Andika Rama, Malaysia’s Chong Kai Chang, and Indonesia’s Iqbal Suji. Their relentless, corner-to-corner combat kept spectators glued to the action.

In the final laps, Andika launched a decisive attack to seize the win, followed by teammate Moreno Pratama. Kai Chang secured third after Aiman’s deteriorating tires dropped him from the lead — a dramatic shakeup that foreshadowed the intense strategy battles to come.

A monumental 21-lap challenge awaited at Interlagos, marking the championship’s first-ever team-format endurance race. With three drivers per nation piloting the GR010 Hybrid and two mandatory driver swaps, strategy became just as crucial as speed.

Malaysia initially surged ahead with a commanding opening stint from Taj Aiman. But as dusk fell and tire strategies diverged, the race evolved into a complex chess match. Malaysia’s final driver, Iqbal Suji, capitalised on a perfectly timed pit cycle to regain the lead just as Singapore and Indonesia pitted.

From there, Malaysia controlled the pace and secured a well-earned victory. Indonesia’s consistency earned them second, while Singapore — showing excellent tire conservation — claimed third.

The final showdown at Watkins Glen boiled down to 14 blistering laps in the GR Supra Race Car ’19, where the entire field ran nearly nose-to-tail. Every mistake mattered, and every strategic risk carried weight.

Malaysia’s bold early pitstop shook up the grid, vaulting them into contention — but heavy tire degradation forced an additional stop, opening the door for Indonesia once again.

Singapore’s Fadtris Isa delivered one of the standout drives of the night, surging into second and putting immense pressure on the leaders.

Yet it was the ice-cold precision of Andika Rama that ultimately prevailed. He secured his second win of the event, with Moreno Pratama completing an Indonesian 1–2 finish. Malaysia’s Kai Chang staged a stunning late charge from P7 to P3, overtaking four drivers in the final laps to round out the podium.

“The 2025 Championship reflected the true spirit of GAZOO Racing,” said Jaja Ishibashi, General Manager of Toyota Motor Asia. “Every racer showed unwavering commitment and teamwork, rising to meet every challenge thrown at them.”

Champion Andika Rama echoed the sentiment: “This title is the reward for months of preparation. Every lap was about learning and refining our strategy. To win again in 2025 is a tremendous honour for me and Indonesia.”

Runner-up Moreno Pratama emphasised the intensity of the competition, while Malaysia’s Chong Kai Chang reflected proudly on his first Asia Finals podium — a stepping stone he hopes to build on.