Prince Jefri Ibrahim powered the JMR Corvette Z06 GT3.R to a sensational home victory in Round 2 of the GT World Challenge Asia 2025 powered by AWS at the Sepang International Circuit, delivering a moment of national pride and personal triumph in front of a roaring Malaysian crowd.
Sharing the cockpit with British racing star Alexander Sims, the Johor prince produced a flawless final stint, crossing the line 3.2 seconds clear of Cao Qi and Jayden Ojeda (Craft-Bamboo Racing), securing JMR’s first-ever win in only their second competitive outing with the new-generation Corvette.
After a solid opening stint from Sims, the team’s fortunes were bolstered by a well-timed Safety Car period immediately after the mandatory pit stops. The field was bunched up, and Prince Jefri emerged from the pits ready for battle.
What followed was a masterclass in composure and pace from the royal driver, who fended off a charging field to seal the win on familiar soil. It was not just a statement victory for JMR, but a powerful symbol of how far Malaysian motorsport has come.
“To win in front of my home fans, my family, and the people of Johor – this means everything,” said an emotional Prince Jefri on the podium. “This is a team effort, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together.”
Behind the Corvette, drama was unfolding. FAW Audi Sport Asia Team Phantom’s pairing of Franky Cheng and James Yu launched a sensational late charge, climbing 12 positions in the final 14 minutes to not only snatch third overall but also Silver Class victory for the second consecutive day.
Their blistering run was one of the standout stories of the race and a testament to the team’s strategic brilliance and Yu’s fearless driving in the closing laps.
🥇 Class Wins and Championship Implications
- Silver-Am Victory: Team KRC’s BMW M4 GT3, driven by Tony Ruan and Maxime Oosten, claimed fourth overall and their second Silver-Am win in as many races, positioning themselves as early favorites in the category.
- Am Class Victory: Defending champion David Tjiptobiantoro and teammate Christian Colombo (Garage 75) once again proved their consistency by taking top honors in the Am category, showing they remain the benchmark for the amateur class.
With scorching track temperatures, tactical pit stops, and thrilling wheel-to-wheel battles, Round 1 and 2 at Sepang delivered everything GT fans could ask for – capped by a moment of local heroism from Prince Jefri.
This victory marks a significant milestone for JMR, signaling their emergence as a genuine title contender, and one that has now earned the spotlight not just for performance, but for passion, pride, and precision on one of Asia’s most iconic circuits.
With momentum on their side, JMR and the rest of the grid now turn their attention to the next challenge: Rounds 3 and 4 in Buriram, Thailand, where the season continues in just a few weeks’ time.
Credit Photo : JOHOR Racing
