✍️ By Amber Reid, PLNJS
It always feels like Donington has a way of writing its own stories. The season began here back in April — damp tarmac, nerves jangling, fresh liveries glinting in the early spring light — and somehow, it feels fitting that it should end here too. The same corners, the same echoes, but everything on the line this time.
The 2025 British GT finale wasn’t just another race weekend. It was a decider that demanded everything from the teams — precision, patience, and a good dose of bravery.
Barwell Motorsport arrived determined, and they delivered one of the most commanding performances of the season. From qualifying to the chequered flag, they looked untouchable. Pole position secured, and then a one–two finish in the race — the sort of dominance that makes a statement. You could almost feel the confidence radiating from their garage before the lights even went out.
But the biggest story was the GT3 title. Charles Dawson and Kiern Jewiss — the pair who won right here at Donington in the opening round — completed the perfect circle. To win both the first and final races of the season is rare enough; to seal the GT3 Championship doing it is something else entirely. They came into the weekend with a strong lead, but under pressure, strength can either harden or crack. Dawson and Jewiss held firm. They earned every point, every moment.
In GT4, it was Jack Brown and Marc Warren who took the crown for Optimum Motorsport in their McLaren Artura GT4 — a second title for Brown, and the first for Warren. Watching them climb from the car afterwards, you could tell it meant the world. Not relief, exactly — more that quiet disbelief that comes when all the hard work finally lands somewhere real.
And of course, Donington being Donington, the weather played its part. Wet one minute, wind slicing across the circuit the next, then just enough sunshine to make you think slicks might work — before another burst of rain ruined everything. Strategy calls turned into gambles, and gambles turned into heartbreak for some. Those who pitted late for slicks watched their chances wash away with the final downpour.
It was a finale that reminded everyone why this championship still feels so human. The unpredictability, the mistakes, the moments of brilliance — it’s all part of it. The “Donington Decider” lived up to its name, showcasing not just speed, but race craft and resilience.
For some, it was the perfect ending. For others, a lesson learned the hard way. But as the rain cleared and the track began to glisten under a thin slice of evening light, there was that unmistakable feeling — the end of something special, and the quiet beginning of what comes next.
