Ratel: No Plans for New GT World Challenge Title Sponsor

Photo: Fabian Lagunas/SRO

SRO Motorsports Group has “no plans” to pursue a new title sponsor for GT World Challenge powered by AWS according to company founder and CEO Stephane Ratel, who revealed the series’ new focus on ‘GT World’ branding.

The 2025 season, which kicked off with the GTWC America rounds at Sonoma Raceway last weekend, marked the first time in four years that SRO’s flagship championship had run without a title sponsor.

It comes after sim racing hardware brand Fanatec, which came on-board as title sponsor in 2021, did not continue its partnership with SRO amid parent company Endor AG’s bankruptcy and acquisition by U.S.-based computer peripherals firm Corsair.

“It’s been a surprise, I have to say,” Ratel told Sportscar365. “When the word came out that Fanatec’s parent company was in deep trouble, up to being liquidated, that had been a financial shock.

“It looked like it would be taken over and everything would continue like before.

“We waited a long time because it was supposed to be taken over and the [sponsorship] was supposed to continue.

“Even if the company was in trouble, we had every indication it would continue. So when it finally got liquidated, it was a bit late in the year to really reach out to [companies].

“But we were contacted by potential interest and it was surprising it didn’t materialize.”

Ratel said they pursued several options for a replacement title sponsor but ultimately elected against it.

“Besides the offers that were sent, after we made the strategic decision to keep the world GT World Challenge powered by AWS,” he said. “There’s no plans for a replacement of a title name.

“In the big picture, the American grid may not be where it is, but globally, GT World Challenge is really a success.

“We have ten manufacturers entered, which means the entry and the money comes from [each] manufacturer.

“In America, but certainly globally, this constant change of names has impacted on the large perception of the championship.

“I think now, GT World, as we use it, and it has to be known like that.”

All cars competing in the championships, across the Europe, America, Asia and Australia series, will now carry ‘GT World’ windshield banners, as part of a new branding focus.

It follows SRO’s long-standing GT World YouTube channel, which has more than 600,000 subscribers.

“A better name is easier to sell to the general public,” said Ratel.

“We can’t really make progress on the grid anymore. Maybe we can add five cars in Australia and America, but that’s it.

“The progress of the championship has to be in promotion, it has to be in spectators, it has to be in viewers, and I think for that, you need a name and you need to stick to a name and have a powerful one.

“That’s why the decision was taken to call it GT World powered by AWS and keep it like this.”