The Gran Turismo Nations Cup and Manufacturers Cup delivered fierce competition, daring strategies, and moments that left fans breathless. Every lap was charged with tension, from tight slipstream duels to dramatic last-lap clashes. Pol Urra triumphed in a wild Nations Cup showdown, while Inostroza executed a masterclass of strategy to seize victory in the Manufacturers Cup.
Pol Urra Clinches Victory in Thrilling Nations Cup Gran Turismo World Series in Los Angeles
The Nations Cup race in Los Angeles delivered a spectacle packed with drama, strategy and intense wheel-to-wheel action. The weekend kicked off with the qualifying race at Watkins Glen, which set the starting grid for the Grand Final at Daytona. It was José Serrano who claimed pole position after a strong qualifying performance in the Chaparral 2J '70.
The Grand Final took place on the demanding Daytona Road Course, known for its high-speed straights and challenging corners. The Red Bull X cars, notoriously difficult to handle, only added to the spectacle. The nature of the track made slipstreaming a key factor, creating constant opportunities for overtaking, exactly what the fans came to see.
From the opening lap, it was clear this would be a tightly contested race. The pack stayed close together, and nearly every lap featured position changes. One of the standout strategic moves came from Valerio Gallo, who started the race on hard tires after a tough qualifying. This early sacrifice set the stage for a brilliant comeback.
By lap 4, the race had already seen its first incident. Kaj de Bruin and Takuma Miyazono tangled, with Miyazono receiving a one-second penalty for causing the collision. That dropped him down the order temporarily. Around lap 14, pit strategies came into play. Most of the field dove into the pits, switching to mediums or softs, depending on their opening stint. Gallo, who had started on hards, made up significant ground as he switched to mediums and rejoined the race in a much stronger position.
By lap 22, Gallo had surged into 5th, with momentum on his side. As the final round of pit stops approached, drivers switched to soft tires for a final sprint to the finish. In the closing lap, a critical contact between Labouteley and Miyazono caused both to lose time. Labouteley was handed a one-second penalty, and that opened the door for Pol Urra, who capitalized perfectly to take the win.
Urra crossed the line ahead of Serrano and Kylian Drumont. Miyazono recovered to finish 4th, followed by Gallo in 5th. The final point went to Barbara, who secured 6th place. It was a chaotic but thrilling race, filled with bold strategies and dramatic moments, proving once again why the Nations Cup is a fan favorite.
Manufacturers Cup Recap: Inostroza Wins After Strategic Battle
In the Manufacturers Cup, Noah Lanuza took pole in his AMG Mercedes, but the race that followed was much more subdued, at least in the opening stages. Slipstreaming made overtaking difficult unless drivers took big risks, but a few key moments still shaped the outcome. One of the first major incidents saw Solid lose control of his Subaru after clipping a curb. Given how tricky the car is to handle in such conditions, that marked the end of his race.
Ferrari driver Parker took the lead and looked solid, but tire wear caught up with him. He pitted at the end of lap 15, opting for a two-stop strategy that ultimately didn’t pay off. While the rest of the field committed to a one-stop plan, Parker’s second stop on lap 22 dropped him to 7th, out of contention.
The defining moment came when Lanuza, Carrazza and Inostroza went three-wide into the final section. Lanuza ended up on the grass and slid into the gravel, losing a huge chunk of time. Meanwhile, the rest of the field pitted on lap 19, switching to softs for the final stint.
The battle for the win came down to Inostroza, Carrazza and Cardinal. A small mistake by Carrazza gave Inostroza just enough breathing room to hold on for the win despite heavily worn tires.
Inostroza claimed 6 points for the win, Carrazza earned 5 for second place, and Cardinal rounded out the podium with 4 points. Mosso Nunes finished 4th (3 points), Lanuza recovered to 5th (2 points), and Walsen took the final point in 6th.
Both races in Los Angeles offered contrasting but equally captivating stories. The Nations Cup brought chaos, clever strategy and a nail-biting finish, while the Manufacturers Cup emphasized racecraft and consistency. Together, they made for a memorable round in the Gran Turismo World Series.
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