GT World Challenge Asia: Origine Motorsport Secures Victory at Okayama
Origine Motorsport’s Lu Wei and Bastian Buus clinched a commanding lights-to-flag victory at Okayama, ensuring the team retained the teams’ championship title. The duo’s performance was underpinned by strategic driving, showcasing their resilience after a challenging start to the race.
JMR’s #66 Corvette, piloted by Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim and Alexander Sims, secured second place. However, both the championship leader Bob Yuan and fellow contender Prince Jefri Ibrahim faced disappointment, failing to complete the first lap due to incidents on track that effectively derailed their title hopes.
The podium was completed by Absolute Racing’s Wang Zhongwei and Patrick Pilet, with Anthony Liu’s solid fourth-place finish positioning him as a potential two-time champion when the series concludes in Beijing from October 17-19.
Key Race Events and Incidents
The race was marked by critical incidents on lap one. Championship leader Ye was involved in a collision with Sims, triggering a chain reaction that took out several contenders. Both drivers were forced to retire shortly after.
With the chaos settling, Buus leveraged the lead initially gained from his teammate’s misfortunes, putting substantial distance between himself and the rest of the field. Despite facing pressure from Wang, he maintained his lead, finishing with a notable 14-second gap over the rest.
Liu managed a recovery drive to fourth, while the fifth- and sixth-place finishes were claimed by Craft-Bamboo’s Cao Qi and Audi Sport Asia’s Bian Ye, respectively, culminating in a top six comprising solely Pro-Am entries.
Championship Outlook
The outcome leaves several drivers still in contention for the championship. Seven crews remain viable for the drivers’ crown, with notable performances from Absolute Racing and Uno Racing, the latter securing two class wins that keep their title hopes alive.
In the Silver-Am category, Team 5Zigen celebrated a second consecutive victory, tightening the title battle with KRC’s Ruan Cunfan and Maxime Oosten, who currently hold a lead of 34 points.
As teams prepare for the concluding races in Beijing, the stakes remain high, with the potential for significant changes in the championship landscape evident in the upcoming events.
Race 2 Results Summary:
- 1st: Lu Wei / Bastian Buus (Origine Motorsport)
- 2nd: Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim / Alexander Sims (JMR)
- 3rd: Wang Zhongwei / Patrick Pilet (Absolute Racing)
- 4th: Anthony Liu
- 5th: Cao Qi
- 6th: Bian Ye
The next race will prove pivotal in determining the champions of the season, with all eyes on the Beijing Street Circuit.
