Fifteen drivers from across Asia will compete for regional honors and a USD$31,000 prize pool
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) Asia Esports GT Championship 2026 Asia Finals is set to return to Kuala Lumpur on November 15, marking Malaysia’s third time hosting the prestigious regional competition. Bringing together 15 drivers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, the event will feature established champions and rising talents competing across three races for individual and team honors, along with a share of the USD$31,000 prize pool.
Representing Team Philippines are returning competitors Russel Reyes, 25, and Enzo Ison, 16, alongside newcomer Michael Velasquez, 26. Reyes previously competed in the Asia regional finals in 2022, 2023, and 2024, while Ison represented the country in the 2024 and 2025 editions.
Indonesia’s Andika Rama returns to defend his championship title following victories in 2023 and 2025. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Taj Aiman, the 2024 champion, will have the advantage of competing on home soil as he seeks another victory. Completing the lineup of returning champions is Singapore’s Ar Muhammad Aleef, who claimed the title in 2020.
Following last year’s Finals in Bangkok, the championship continues TGR Asia’s commitment to developing and expanding the regional e-Motorsports community. TGR’s philosophy of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars is founded on the belief that roads build people, and people build cars. Through the championship, this spirit of continuous learning through racing is brought to the virtual track, providing more drivers with opportunities to compete, develop their skills, and showcase their talent.
By connecting drivers and fans through their shared passion for motorsports, the competition also brings Toyota’s Mobility for All philosophy to the racing community.
“The Asia Finals bring together talented drivers from across the region, united by their passion for racing,” said Toyota Motor Asia Vice President Preston Tan. “We are thrilled to bring the competition back to Malaysia, where former champions and emerging talent will compete alongside one another. We have also been especially encouraged to see drivers from previous editions go on to compete in real-world motorsport, and even on bigger stages such as the Asian Games, a testament to how the championship can be a genuine pathway into the sport. Through e-Motorsports, we hope to continue creating more opportunities for people to experience the excitement of racing and inspire the next generation of motorsport fans.”
Former Champions Meet New Contenders
Joining the three returning champions are five newcomers eager to make their mark on the Asia Finals stage: Michael Velasquez of the Philippines, Jirat Pakjilayuwat of Thailand, Stanislas Yuveardhitra of Indonesia, and Malaysia’s Nabil Azlan and Ethen Low.
Adding another exciting dimension to the competition, each participating market will also field one driver aged 18 or younger, giving the next generation of racing talents an opportunity to test their abilities against some of the region’s most experienced competitors.
Three Races to Decide Regional Honours
All 15 drivers will battle across three races, each featuring a different circuit and vehicle combination designed to test their adaptability, consistency, and racing skills.
The competition will begin at Grand Valley – Highway 1, featuring the GR Supra Racing Concept ’18 – Gr.3, followed by Nürburgring GP with the GR Yaris RZ “High performance” ’20.
For the final race, competitors will take on Fuji Speedway behind the wheel of the SF23 Super Formula/Toyota ’23. With every change in circuit and car, drivers will need to adjust their strategies and demonstrate versatility as they compete for the regional championship titles.
Points will be awarded according to each driver’s finishing position, with 25 points for first place, 20 for second, and 16 for third, extending down to 15th place. An additional two-point fastest-lap bonus will also give competitors another opportunity to gain an advantage in the overall standings.
USD$31,000 in Prizes and Additional Honours
A total prize pool of USD$31,000 will be distributed across the individual and team categories, maintaining the same prize structure as the previous year’s championship.
Individual | Team | |
| Champion | USD$8,000 | USD$8,000 |
| 1st Runner-up | USD$4,500 | USD$4,500 |
| 2nd Runner-up | USD$3,000 | USD$3,000 |
Beyond the main championship awards, additional trophies will recognize outstanding performances and achievements throughout the competition. These include Best Race Craft, Rookie of the Day, and Driver of the Day, highlighting the skills, potential, and standout moments of participating drivers.
Join the Action in Kuala Lumpur
Adding to the excitement of the championship weekend, several exhibition races will bring together Toyota representatives, media personalities, and esports drivers for more virtual racing action.
The GR Asia Race on November 14 will feature representatives from Toyota Motor Asia and participating regional companies competing on the virtual track. On November 15, the Media Pro-Am Race will pair media representatives with Asia Finalists, with teammates sharing driving responsibilities throughout the race. An additional Esports Team Race featuring teams from Thailand will further energize the weekend’s activities.
Fans across the region can catch all the action from the 2026 Asia Finals through the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia Facebook page. Filipino motorsport enthusiasts can also show their support for Reyes, Ison, and Velasquez through the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines Facebook page.
Returning host Victoria Cheng will lead the broadcast, joined by Dez Corkhill and Amir Haziq for English-language commentary, with Amir also providing Bahasa Malaysia coverage. Thai-language commentary will be delivered by James Laohongthong and Kulachart Oat Rhuvatana, while Ari Saputra and Mike Denaldi return to provide Bahasa Indonesia coverage.
Together, the commentary team will bring audiences closer to the excitement of the competition, highlighting crucial overtakes, race strategies, and defining moments as the region’s top esports drivers go head-to-head for championship honors.
