The Suzuka 1000km 2025, part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC), will welcome 30 GT3 cars to Japan’s legendary Suzuka Circuit this September.

This marks the IGTC’s first visit to Suzuka since 2019, after the fixture was cancelled for several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Manufacturers represented include Porsche, Mercedes-AMG, BMW, Chevrolet Corvette, Ferrari, Nissan, and Lamborghini.

Porsche Leads the Suzuka 1000km Entry List

Porsche is the most represented brand on the grid with 11 entries, bringing both factory talent and privateer strength. Absolute Racing will headline the marque’s effort with the #7 Porsche 911 GT3 R driven by reigning FIA World Endurance Champions Kévin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor, alongside fellow Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet. Phantom Global Racing will enter the #23 Porsche 911 GT3 R with Klaus Bachler, Dorian Boccolacci, and Patric Niederhauser. Origine Motorsport will field two cars: the Pro-class #6 Porsche 911 GT3 for Bastian Buus, Laurin Heinrich, and Alessio Picariello, and the Bronze-class #86 Porsche 911 GT3 for Kerong Li, Anderson Fjordbach, and Leo Yi.

Mercedes-AMG Fields Seven AMG GT3 Evo cars

Mercedes-AMG will enter seven AMG GT3 Evo machines in the Suzuka 1000km 2025. GetSpeed leads the German marque’s challenge with the #69 driven by IMSA GTD champion Philip Ellis, Steve Jans, and Anthony McIntosh. Other AMG representatives include Goodsmile Racing, Heart of Racing by SPS, Craft-Bamboo Racing, 75 Express, and GruppeM Racing.

BMW Returns with Three Cars, Including WRT’s Comeback

BMW leads the IGTC manufacturers’ standings with 90 points, following wins at both the Bathurst 12 Hour and Nürburgring 24 Hours. The brand will enter three cars at Suzuka. Team KRC will race the #89 BMW M4 GT3 Evo in the Pro-Am class with Run Cun Fan, Maxime Oosten, and Neil Verhagen.

Team WRT—absent from the first provisional entry list—has now confirmed it will return to Japan to defend its previous Suzuka victory. The Belgian superteam will run two Pro-class BMW M4 GT3 Evo entries: the #31 will feature Augusto Farfus, Dan Harper, and Max Hesse, while the #32 will be piloted by Raffaele Marciello, Kelvin van der Linde, and Charles Weerts. Van der Linde, winner of the 2019 Suzuka Summer Endurance Race with WRT in an Audi R8 LMS GT3, will share the cockpit with Marciello, the 2018 Suzuka 10 Hours winner when he was racing for Mercedes.

Corvette Brings Two Princes and a Callaway C7 GT3-R

Picture by Intercontinental GT Challenge

Chevrolet Corvette’s three-car effort in the Suzuka 1000km 2025 Intercontinental GT Challenge will be spearheaded by Johor Motorsport Racing. The Pro-class #2 Corvette Z06 GT3.R features Scott McLaughlin, Alexander Sims, and Nicky Catsburg, while the Pro-Am #99 brings together Prince Jefri Ibrahim, Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim, and Konsta Lappalainen. Bingo Racing completes the line-up with a Callaway Corvette C7 GT3-R.

Other Manufacturers in the Suzuka 1000km Entry List

Ferrari will be represented by four cars, while Nissan will enter two GT3 machines. Lamborghini will make a single appearance, bringing its trademark V10 roar to Suzuka. While these manufacturers have fewer entries compared to Porsche and Mercedes, their presence is expected to add diversity to the racing field and potentially shake up the battle for podium positions.

More Driver Announcements Expected

With the race set for 14 September, several teams are expected to announce finalised driver line-ups in the coming weeks.

Race Extended to 6.5 Hours

The SRO has confirmed that the race will be extended from 6 hours to 6.5 hours, increasing the likelihood of completing the full 1000km distance for the event’s 49th edition.

Go here for the full Suzuka 1000km entry list with all confirmed teams and drivers so far.