FIA unveils new format for GT World Cup, creates Silver Cup for ‘emerging talent’

The governing body of international motorsport, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), has announced a new format for this year’s FIA GT World Cup, which will take place in Macau in November.

In addition to the regular field of Gold- and Platinum-rated drivers competing for the main title, the FIA has decided to introduce a new trophy, the Silver Cup. This trophy is dedicated to recognizing emerging talent in the sport, particularly young drivers who are starting their careers in GT cars.

As the FIA noted in a statement, this is “a significant new step… to recognize and encourage emerging talent.”

“Introduced in response to the growing strength and visibility of Silver-rated competitors in GT racing, the new category will provide recognition for the top-performing Silver driver in Macau. The Silver Cup winner will receive a dedicated podium ceremony and will share in a prize fund totaling USD22,000 [MOP177,591],” the FIA remarked.

The initiative aims to create a pathway for talented drivers seeking to establish themselves at the highest level of GT competition, enabling new talent to race alongside accomplished, seasoned professionals. This will provide a stepping stone for those moving from different categories into GT3, or allow those who have just arrived in the category to develop and learn faster.

Meanwhile, the FIA announced that entries for the 2026 FIA GT World Cup are now open and will remain open for about one month, until July 17, marking the start of the countdown to the prestigious sprint race for GT3 machinery.

The event will take place on the legendary Guia Circuit in Macau from November 19 to 22, in the same format as last year’s edition, with the new addition of the Silver Cup, which is expected to attract more newcomers to the race.

FIA annual conference opens

As the FIA’s Extraordinary General Assembly and Annual Conference is being held from today, June 23 to 25 in Macau, bringing together 450 senior FIA delegates from mobility and motorsport organizations, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the event “provides a valuable opportunity to bring together our community and help shape the future of global motorsport and mobility.”

“As we continue to grow participation, advance innovation, and improve road safety worldwide, these discussions are more important than ever,” he said.

He added, “I am delighted to be returning to Macau, a truly iconic location for motorsport fans and a fitting venue for the FIA to host one of the most important weeks on our calendar.”

Held in partnership with the local automobile association, the Automobile General Association Macao-China (AAMC), the FIA event returns to Macau for the second consecutive year.

On the topic, Chong Coc Veng, chairman of the AAMC, said, “We are honored to welcome the FIA and our fellow members from across the world back to Macau. The Annual Conference provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made together over the past year and shape the priorities that will drive our federation forward. We look forward to welcoming delegates for what promises to be a productive few days.”

The conference will be attended by representatives from the 245 FIA Member Clubs, which represent motorsport and mobility globally. This structure forms the backbone of the federation’s governance and operations, with each full Member Club holding voting rights in the FIA’s elections and regulatory decisions.

Changes to F4 World Cup are part of the series’ evolution

The changes recently introduced by the FIA that transformed the FIA F4 World Cup in Macau from an “arrive-and-drive” into a team-based event are part of the natural evolution of the series, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem explained.

Questioned by the Times on the matter during a media interview on Sunday, Ben Sulayem explained that the change, to be implemented this November in the second edition of the F4 World Cup, is part of a “long-term investment” in the series.

“You see, you start with an arrive-and-drive to attract participants in. And then you go for a long-term investment,” he said, explaining that the FIA has no interest in having the same kind of event in every country or region. Instead, it works with local organizers to tailor events that serve as investments in a particular place or part of the world.

“[You start it and] you leave it there because the investment has to go over three years of paying back. But then, once you introduce it, you introduce links to it,” Ben Sulayem explained, noting as an example the case of Oman, where an arrive-and-drive event has brought over 260 drivers.

He explained that F4 is the series that has been undergoing the most constant adjustment and evolution lately, noting that at the beginning the cars were not very reliable, were expensive, and had little aero.

“I believe F4 is now not far away from the fast cars [other categories such as F3]. If you look at the car, the way it looks, the way now the teams have a responsibility [in selecting the best drivers] as well as the added responsibility from the FIA and the promoter. I am confident that F4 will actually grow,” he remarked, noting that in some regional series there were only 13 or 14 cars in the past, a number that has risen to 38 or more in some countries.

“Why? Because it is better and more affordable, and also the result is no less than Formula 3.”

F4 as a role model for higher categories

According to the FIA president, this example of what has been done with F4 is also serving as a model for changes being brought to Formula 3, Formula 2, and Formula 1.

“It’s getting out of control. And it’s our responsibility. I’m taking it very seriously. You will see that the rules now, even with the top, which is Formula 1, are aiming to reduce the cost of the engine by more than 50%.”

According to Ben Sulayem, the changes aimed at making the series more sustainable are happening not just from the bottom up but in both directions, with a particular focus on bridging the different categories.

“Bridging is important. Before, there was a gap, which is a space that we had to fill. But you cannot fill it only with expensive machinery and expensive championships. The step up has to be not only in speed and professionalism, but also in cost. We have to monitor the cost,” he remarked, noting that this is happening not only in the formulas but also in other categories such as Group Rally1 (the highest level of rally racing).