If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to compete at the top level in Gran Turismo Sport, the FIA Championships are your battleground. These officially sanctioned events are more than just glorified daily races—they are structured, high-stakes competitions where your strategy, consistency, and performance define your path to glory. In this guide, we’ll break down how the FIA Championships work, how to maximize your points, and what it takes to rise through the ranks.
Two Paths to Glory: Manufacturers Series vs Nations Cup
The FIA Championships in GT Sport consist of two main events: the Manufacturers Series and the Nations Cup. While they follow a similar structure, the key difference lies in how you choose your cars.
In the Nations Cup, you’re typically free to choose from a variety of cars. These races often span multiple categories, offering more flexibility and variety—though often certain “meta” vehicles dominate each class.
In contrast, the Manufacturers Series locks you into a commitment. You must choose a manufacturer—like Alfa Romeo or Toyota—and then race only that brand’s Group 3 and Group 4 cars throughout the season. Be warned: your manufacturer choice can stick with you for multiple seasons. Polyphony decides when you’re eligible to switch, and there’s no fixed timeline. Choose wisely.
Race Schedules and Attempts: Planning Is Key
FIA races typically occur on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with each event offering multiple race slots throughout the day—usually one every hour or two. You can attempt each race multiple times (typically three or more attempts), but only your last attempt counts for points.
This system adds a strategic layer. If your early race went poorly, you might want to retry. But beware: if your next result is worse, you’re stuck with it. It’s a classic risk-versus-reward dilemma.
Another clever aspect of the schedule is the alternation of events. For example, you might have a Manufacturers race at 6 PM and a Nations Cup at 7 PM. This allows competitive drivers to participate in both championships during a single evening.
Points System: How Scores Are Calculated
Your score in each FIA race depends on your finishing position, Driver Rating (DR), and Sportsmanship Rating (SR). But here’s the catch: the letter grades (A, B, C, etc.) don’t tell the whole story.
Each letter contains a wide internal range. A driver on the cusp of DR A might earn far fewer points than someone at the top of DR B. The same goes for SR. Your exact numerical score within your letter tier determines your point potential.
To track your precise DR and SR metrics, visit Kudos Prime online. Enter your PSN ID, and you’ll get a detailed chart showing your history, progression, and current standing—much more accurate than what GT Sport shows in-game.
How Many Races Count?
Each season, only a set number of your best races count toward your final championship score. For example, a 10-race season might only use your top 4 results. This encourages players to keep competing without requiring them to attend every single event.
If you’ve raced six times and only four scores are used, your two lowest scores are grayed out and ignored. It’s a smart way to keep things competitive for players who can’t commit to every round.
Keep in mind that the number of scoring races varies from season to season. Always check the season overview to know how many will count.
What Is the ‘S’ Driver Rating?
If you’ve seen the elusive ‘S’ rating, you might wonder what it means. This isn’t just another performance tier. The ‘S’ driver rating is a special designation earned by ranking among the top 200 drivers in your region—Europe, America, or Asia—in the Nations Cup, or the top 10 drivers for your manufacturer in the Manufacturers Series.
This rating gives you access to elite-level events, specifically the Top 16 Superstars races. These showcase events take place near the end of each season and are reserved for the very best. To qualify, you need:
- Driver Rating S
- Sportsmanship Rating S
- A top 2 position in your country (Nations Cup) or manufacturer (Manufacturers Series) within your region
Why Top 16 Superstars Matter
Top 16 Superstars races are the pinnacle of GT Sport competition. Just participating in one earns you 1,000 points—a score that many DR A drivers never reach in an entire season. And that’s before considering your finishing position.
Even more crucial: points in these races are multiplied by 1.2, giving you a 20% boost over a standard race. For high-ranking drivers, this can be the difference between winning a championship and finishing second.
To earn the invitation, you must maintain your qualifying rank through consistent top performances. If you slip outside the threshold, you lose access and your ‘S’ status.
Final Thoughts: The Real Test of a Racer
The FIA Championships in Gran Turismo Sport are more than just a racing mode—they are the ultimate test of consistency, performance, and smart decision-making. From managing race attempts and planning your schedule, to maximizing your driver score and aiming for Top 16 Superstars, there’s a ton of depth to explore.
If you’re serious about sim racing, few formats are more rewarding—or more demanding—than the FIA structure in GT Sport. Just remember: it’s not only about how fast you are. It’s about how well you prepare.
Check out more of our GT Sport tutorials for tips that extend beyond one game—these are lessons that will make you better across any racing sim. Until next time, keep it clean and keep it fast.
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