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The Gran Turismo World Series 2023 gets underway on May 13 with Round 1 of the Nations Cup. Any player who has a copy of Gran Turismo 7 for PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 can enter the series by heading to Sport mode in the game. Once there, sign up for the Nations Cup – racing to represent your home country or territory – and/or the Manufacturers Cup, racing for your favourite manufacturer.
In a change to previous years, the seven-round Nations Cup Online Series will run in a consecutive block with Round 7 taking place on June 3. The Manufacturers Cup will follow, with Round 1 on June 7 and the final round on July 1
The results of the Online Series will determine which players will be invited to the two live events of the 2023 Series, the World Series Showdown in Amsterdam (August 11-12) and the World Finals, which will take place in early December at a venue to be announced.
In 2022, a thrilling World Finals in Monaco ended with Subaru and Toyota tied on points in the Manufacturers Cup, but the trophy was awarded to Subaru’s Daniel Solis (USA), Takuma Miyazono (JPN) and Kylian Drumont (FRA) thanks to their victory in the final race.
The Nations Cup was no less hotly contested with points tied at the top. This time it was popular Spaniard, and World Series veteran, Coque López who was crowned champion having taken the race victory after an incident-packed last lap. Chilean Angel Inostroza was second while Brazil’s Igor Fraga, the inaugural World Champion in 2018, took the final podium place.
A change to the Nations Cup format in 2023 sees the Showdown and World Finals contested as a team event, like the Manufacturers Cup, with three drivers from the same country competing for the title.
“It is always exciting when a new Gran Turismo World Series gets underway,” commented Kazunori Yamauchi, Producer of the Gran Turismo series. “Each year we see incredible battles among our established stars, but there is always some new talent bursting onto the scene at the top level.
As well as the Gran Turismo World Series, 2023 will also see the Olympic Esports Series gathering top players from around the world in Singapore at the end of June. Another exciting milestone this year will be the release of a Gran Turismo film in August, around the time of our Amsterdam Showdown event, that celebrates the success of the Nissan PlayStation GT Academy programme.
“In an echo of GT Academy, we’ll enjoy watching our 2018 Gran Turismo World Series Champion, Igor Fraga, racing in the Super GT 300 class and Super Formula Lights in Japan this year. He’ll be busy, but we still expect to see him take on the World Series as well, having finished third in the Nations Cup last year.”
Michelin, Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR), Genesis, Mazda, Brembo, Sony Alpha and BBS continue their support as official partners of the Gran Turismo World Series.
The Gran Turismo World Series is open to all players with any PS Plus membership for the online rounds through Sport mode in Gran Turismo 7. The Online Series is organised into a league format with three leagues determined by Driver Ratings, so that players compete in races against opponents of a similar level. Qualification for the World Series Showdown and World Finals is subject to terms and conditions which can be found on the Gran Turismo website.
In addition to the Gran Turismo World Series, the Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup is already underway. Seven online qualifying rounds will finish on August 27 and the finals will again be staged alongside the Gran Turismo World Series Finals at the end of the year.
For the first time since Sydney in early 2020, Gran Turismo fans will have the chance to watch the Gran Turismo World Series live and in person at both the Showdown event in Amsterdam and the World Finals. Keep an eye on gran-turismo.com and the Gran Turismo social channels to find out how to get tickets.
* Internet connection and PS Plus membership are required for entry