Andika Rama’s Epic Return Sparks Victory as Indonesia Dominates TGR Asia eSports GT Championship 2025

The thrill of high-stakes racing reached new heights this weekend at the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) Asia eSports GT Championship 2025, held at the vibrant Toyota Alive Space in Bangkok. Fifteen of Asia’s premier sim drivers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand battled fiercely across three electrifying races in Gran Turismo 7, culminating in a dramatic showdown that crowned Indonesia as the champion nation.

A Heart-Pounding Start at Suzuka Circuit

The curtain rose on an adrenaline-fueled opening race at Suzuka, where drivers navigated the iconic bends and high-speed straights of the legendary track. The weather threw an unexpected curveball—wet conditions and a torrential downpour transformed the race into a battle of skill, strategy, and nerve. Tire management was paramount as drivers carefully chose compounds to grip the slippery surface, timing pit stops with surgical precision to maintain their competitive edge.

Malaysian star Taj Aiman surged into an early lead. Still, the race’s true drama unfolded as Andika Rama, Malaysia’s Chong Kai Chang, and Iqbal Suji clashed in a relentless fight for podium positions. The slick conditions intensified every corner, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats. In a masterstroke of racecraft, Andika Rama launched a decisive move in the final laps to claim victory, with Moreno Pratama and Chong Kai Chang finishing second and third, respectively. Despite leading six of the seven laps, Aiman’s tire issues saw him slip to fourth, marking a pivotal moment in the battle between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Endurance drama at Interlagos

Next, the legendary Interlagos circuit tested racers’ endurance and tactical acumen over 21 laps—nearly three times the length of Suzuka—set against a dramatic day-to-night transition. For the first time in the championship’s history, a full team format was introduced, demanding seamless collaboration and split-second decisions for pitstop strategies, energy conservation, and tire choices.

Malaysia’s Taj Aiman kicked off strongly, but Indonesia and Singapore showcased exceptional tire management, stretching stints, and minimising pit stops. As dusk fell, Malaysia seized the critical pit-stop window, with Iqbal Suji rejoining just ahead of Singapore and Indonesia, reclaiming the lead. Strategic teamwork and precise timing enabled Malaysia to extend its advantage, ultimately securing the top spot. Indonesia’s consistency and strategic finesse earned it second place, with Singapore rounding out the podium.

The Final Battle at Watkins Glen

The championship’s grand finale at Watkins Glen was a spectacle of precision and daring over 14 intense laps. Racing in the GR Supra Race Car ’19, Indonesia and Malaysia set the early pace, with Andika Rama maintaining his winning momentum. The field remained fiercely competitive, with nearly every driver separated by less than a second.

A bold early pit stop by Malaysia catapulted them into the top three, but rapid tire wear on soft compounds forced additional stops, allowing Indonesia to inch back into the lead. Singapore’s Fadtris Isa delivered a standout performance, closing the gap on race leader Andika Rama and injecting fresh excitement into the final laps. In a display of discipline and skill, Andika Rama secured his second individual victory of the night, with Moreno Pratama finishing second. Malaysian driver Chong Kai Chang made a spectacular late-race surge from seventh to third, overtaking four rivals to clinch the final podium spot.

Celebrating Excellence and Team Spirit

Jaja Ishibashi, General Manager of Toyota Motor Asia, praised the incredible display of talent and resilience: “This year’s TGR Asia eSports GT Championship truly embodied the spirit of GAZOO Racing—every racer pushed their limits, adapted to changing conditions, and demonstrated remarkable teamwork. These athletes exemplify what it means to innovate, improve, and race with heart.”

Expressing his pride, Andika Rama reflected on his victory: “Winning the 2025 championship is the result of relentless preparation, strategic focus, and adapting in real-time. Every lap, every tire change, and every overtaking move counted. It’s an incredible feeling to defend my title and make Indonesia proud again.”

Podium Highlights and Special Awards

Moreno Pratama, the first runner-up, shared his insights: “Competing against Asia’s best was a tough but rewarding experience. Every race tested my focus and adaptability. Teamwork played a crucial role in our success, and I’m proud of what we achieved.”

Chong Kai Chang, finishing third, expressed his excitement: “This podium finish is a huge milestone for me. It motivates me to keep improving and challenge myself even further in future races.”

Special awards recognised outstanding individual performances, with Andika Rama earning Driver of the Day, Chong Kai Chang awarded Best Racecraft, and Fadtris Isa taking home the Fastest Race Pace accolade.

Country and Team Championships

The overall country victory went to Indonesia, with the Philippines’ Enzo Ison achieving the highest individual finish for his nation in 8th place. The country standings were based on accumulated points, with bonus points for fastest laps. The top teams and drivers received cash prizes of USD 8,000, USD 4,500, and USD 3,000, respectively.

Winners & Prizes

 

Drivers

 

Points System of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia eSports GT Championship

 

Races

Beyond the main championship, the 2025 Asia Finals weekend delivered a full spectrum of high-octane racing, featuring special exhibition events and fan activations that celebrate the diversity and spirit of the TGR community. 

1. Pro-Am Exhibition Race (Media & Asia Finalists) 

Circuit: Deep Forest Raceway 

Car: GR Yaris 

This unique format paired together media representatives from each market with Asia Finalists, blending journalistic curiosity with professional-level racing skill. Media participants will set qualifying times to determine grid positions, setting the stage for a thrilling collaboration between drivers and reporters. 

2. Asia eSports Team Exhibition Race  

Circuit: Race – Road Atlanta  

Car: GR Supra Race Car’19  

This exhibition race brought together 15 esports drivers from five leading Thai esports teams for an intense individual showdown on the virtual Road Atlanta circuit.

3. Time Attack Challenge  

Fans on-site also had the opportunity to experience the racing simulators, setting their best lap times across multiple attempts for a taste of competitive virtual racing.

About the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia eSports GT Championship 2025

The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia eSports GT Championship 2025 is a regional online race, bringing together the region’s top sim racers to pit their skills against each other in Gran Turismo 7 on PlayStation®41 (PS4®) and PlayStation®51 (PS5®), using a curated line-up of Toyota GR performance models. As a premier regional esports tournament, it showcases the highest level of virtual racing talent across Asia.

Aligned with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s global vision, e-Motorsports has become a core pillar of TGR’s motorsport activities — expanding the spirit of racing beyond the physical track. The championship serves as a platform to make motorsports more accessible, inclusive, and engaging for a broader audience, allowing fans and aspiring racers alike to experience the thrill, discipline, and Kaizen-driven mindset that define GAZOO Racing.

About TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR)

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) is TOYOTA’s racing company where motorsports activities are a key pursuit of product development. Its ethos builds on a heritage of more than 60 years of excellence in “making ever-better cars”. With this aim, the company takes into account feedback and learnings gained on tough racing roads under harsh environments to create the thrill and joy of racing Toyota GR cars for everyone.

About Toyota Motor Asia

Toyota Gazoo Racing Asia is the motorsports arm of Toyota Motor Asia [TMA], the regional corporate headquarters and subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. TMA leads and supports the Asia region in sales and marketing activities, service parts, accessories and customer services, thus contributing to the overall development of the auto industry and the growing economies in the region.

Toyota envisions a future mobility society to bring freedom of movement to all. Moving forward, Toyota will provide a diverse range of mobility services and transportation solutions to people around the world as we transform Toyota into a mobility company.