Donington Park Decider: Barwell Motorsport Secures 1-2 Finish
In an exhilarating two-hour showdown at Donington Park, Barwell Motorsport clinched a commanding 1-2 finish, with Sandy Mitchell and Alex Martin driving the #78 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 to victory. This marks the first season win for the duo after 72 laps, their first triumph since Race 2 at Snetterton the previous year.
Mitchell’s victory highlighted Barwell’s competitive edge, particularly during treacherous, changing conditions that oscillated between dry and wet throughout the race. “We’ve had a great start to the season here at Donington… All weekend we’ve been quick but we’ve also kept things simple,” said Mitchell, emphasizing the team’s strategic tyre choices during the race.
Despite facing challenges, Charles Dawson and Kiern Jewiss of the #42 2 Seas Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo secured the 2025 GT3 Drivers’ title. They contended with mid-race contact and a 30-second pit penalty but remained resilient, ultimately finishing fifth.
The race began with the Barwell #1 crew of reigning champion Rob Collard and Hugo Cook leading. Collard quickly established a significant lead before the track conditions shifted with early rainfall impacting strategy. Teams were divided on tyre choices late in the race; some opted for slicks as track conditions improved, while others maintained wet tyres.
Dawson and Jewiss faced aggressive competition throughout, particularly from main rivals in the #7 Blackthorn Aston Martin and #77 McLaren, who struggled with issues of their own. This resulted in a tight battle that ultimately confirmed their championship success by 29.5 points over Cook.
In addition to Barwell’s dual celebration, 2 Seas Motorsport claimed third and fourth positions, with the #18 Mercedes driven by Kevin Tse and Maximilian Götz finishing ahead of Dawson and Jewiss.
GT4 Championship Highlights
Optimum Motorsport triumphed in the GT4 class, securing both Pro-Am and Silver Cup titles during a thrilling finale. The #90 McLaren Artura GT4, driven by Marc Warren and Jack Brown, not only won the race but also solidified their championship standings. Brown also achieved a historic back-to-back title victory.
After enduring an early setback with a puncture, the #90 crew battled back to maintain competitive performance, emerging victorious on 200 points, 16 ahead of the #71 Century Motorsport BMW. Warren remarked, “It’s absolutely incredible,” reflecting on an eventful season.
Overall, the Donington Park race further underscored the competitive nature of British GT, with teams navigating unpredictable weather and a tight battle for championships.
Final Standings and Context
Barwell’s Mitchell and Martin demonstrated exemplary racecraft for a decisive victory, while Dawson and Jewiss’s consistency earned them a well-deserved championship. The race not only concluded the current season but set the stage for strategic evolution in the upcoming competitive season.
For complete race results and standings, further details will be provided as the motorsport community reflects on an intense season filled with thrilling rivalries and standout performances.
