The fourth round of the Malta National GT3 Championship 2025, organised in collaboration with the Malta Motorsport Federation, Enemed, and Gaming Malta, delivered the show everyone had been waiting for. Held at the tight and unforgiving Tsukuba Circuit, the race offered non-stop action from start to finish, showing a spectacular comeback victory for Aaron Debattista, who bounced back after a disappointing previous round.
Practice sessions showed early predictions, with Brandon Bonello laying down the fastest time, followed closely by Debattista and Ilan Dimech Ghirxi. With the top times separated by mere fractions, anticipation ran high for one of the closest battles of the season.
Qualifying did not disappoint. Bonello secured pole with a superb 52.734, edging out Debattista by less than a tenth. Mikhail Mercieca completed the top three, setting up a tense fight for the race ahead.
The race began with a clean and disciplined launch from the grid. Bonello immediately moved to defend his lead, while Debattista stayed poised, looking for any opening in the early laps. With Tsukuba’s narrow layout offering few overtaking opportunities, the pressure was relentless.
The first major moment came when Mercieca lost control, opening the door for Goran Andreevski, who seized third place with characteristic opportunism. It was shaping up to be Andreevski’s strongest performance of the season, though still far too early to call. Mercieca quickly regrouped and closed back in on Andreevski, applying pressure until a mistake from Goran triggered contact between them. The incident caused Mercieca to fall to sixth, while Andreevski dropped to fourth, allowing Ghirxi to momentarily grab third. But the battle for the final podium position wasn’t over. Andreevski fought back brilliantly, reclaiming third and proving once again how much he has improved this season.
Up front, Debattista continued to stalk Bonello, matching and at times surpassing his pace. Despite Bonello’s trademark calmness and consistency, Debattista’s psychological and on-track pressure intensified with each passing lap. Ghirxi later spun on his own, ending his hopes of a podium charge, while Debattista kept chiselling away at the gap.
With under two minutes remaining, the decisive moment arrived. Using superior braking and impeccable timing, Debattista launched a move down the main straight, completing a clean and hard-fought overtake on Bonello which was a move that brought the commentator to its feet. Debattista held firm on the final lap, maintaining composure to secure a critical and emotional victory. A long-awaited return to form after recent struggles. Bonello finished second after a strong and controlled performance, while Andreevski claimed his first podium of the season, a reward for his perseverance and strategic racing.
“It was quite difficult. To handle the car, manage tyres, and stay consistent while still trying to push. I saw the battles in front and took the opportunities.”
Goran Andreevski
“I’m not very happy because one small mistake cost me the win. Tyres and fuel load were a big factor, especially with the car getting lighter. Braking points kept changing, and pressure on the tyres increased. I waited for a mistake from Debattista but he kept his cool. Now I’ll focus on Silverstone in the rain. It won’t be easy.”
Brandon Bonello
“Considering my previous results, this was important. The car wasn’t ideal for this track, but I adapted. Tyre management was crucial since we were close the whole race. I kept pushing and pressuring Bonello, knowing I was stronger under braking. With overtaking so difficult here, I had to wait for the right moment and it paid off. These points are crucial with one race left at Silverstone in rainy conditions, where the Mustang should be strong. I’m fighting for the glory.”
Aaron Debattista
Round 4 delivered the spectacle fans had hoped for with close racing, strategic battles, and an emotional comeback win. With just one round remaining, the championship fight intensifies as drivers prepare for the final showdown at Silverstone, in wet conditions. The decisive race will be held on Saturday, 29th November, live on TVM at 11:00am.
