A Winning Debut in Shanghai: Samantha Tan Claims GT3 AM Class Victory in China GT
Written by Fête chinoise Editorial Team
photos: Samantha Tan and Zhiyi Xia
Samantha Tan (Fête Chinoise Annual Book of Incredible People Edition 9) marked a remarkable return to GT3 racing with a standout performance in Shanghai, capturing a class victory in her debut appearance at the China GT Championship. Competing with Team KRC in a BMW M4 GT3 alongside “Ginger” Jiang Jiawei, she took part in the event held from April 17–19, delivering a weekend that reflected both composure and steady progression.
Already an established name in international GT racing, Samantha brings an impressive résumé that spans multiple top-level series. Her achievements include class victories in GT World Challenge America and Europe, championship titles in the 24H Series, and strong outings at endurance events such as the Road to Le Mans and the Nürburgring 24 Hours. For the 2026 season, she focuses primarily on a GT4 programme in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, further building experience across different platforms of the sport.
For the Chinese-Canadian driver, the Shanghai race represented both a homecoming of sorts and a new beginning. Racing in China for the first time, she stepped into a highly competitive international field with limited track experience at the circuit, yet quickly found her rhythm through practice and qualifying. As the weekend unfolded, her calm and measured approach became a defining feature of her performance.
Race 1 began in the midst of early chaos, which Samantha reacted instantly to avoid an incident ahead. From there, her drive took on a steady, upward rhythm. Lap by lap, she worked her way through the field, finding opportunities through patience and precision. In a tightly fought middle stint, she engaged in close battles with multiple cars, eventually breaking through with a decisive move to gain position and settle into clear air.
As the race unfolded, strategy became just as important as pace. Managing her stint with care, Samantha extended her time on track and made the most of evolving conditions, running consistently strong laps in the 2:03–2:04 range. This control allowed the team to optimise their pit strategy, and her well-timed stop and handover became a key turning point in the race, setting the stage for the class victory.
Race 2 brought a more complex rhythm, with heavier traffic and fewer clear opportunities to advance. Working through pressure from surrounding cars, Samantha maintained consistent lap times and focused on clean execution, ensuring the car stayed competitive to the finish in a more challenging contest.
“The more we show up, the more we expand what this sport can look like,” Samantha shared on Instagram. “Motorsport hasn’t always been the most welcoming space, but weekends like this remind me how much it’s evolving… and how many women are showing up, owning their space, and making it their own.”
Samantha now returns her focus to her GT4 programme in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, with her next race set for Laguna Seca from May 1–3.
At Fête Chinoise, we are especially delighted to witness Samantha’s continued growth on the international stage, and the way she carries herself as part of a new generation shaping what modern motorsport can look like. With her 2026 season now underway, Samantha continues to build on her momentum, with many more milestones yet to come.
Samantha Tan Featured in Annual Book of Incredible People Edition No. 9: Finding Momentum
Samantha Tan: Racing to be Seen 宋心心：全速前進
When the green flag drops at the top of a race, Samantha Tan feels the adrenaline coursing through her veins. The 26-year-old motorsport professional knows the course like the back of her hand and at this point, any doubts she might have had about how to navigate it have vanished. Her focus becomes laser-sharp as she revs to the finish line.
“Racing is one of the few sports where men and women can compete on a completely equal footing,” she says. “It’s 85 percent mental.”
The physical side of racing can be just as intense.
When racing at high speeds, G-force — a measure of gravitational pull that pushes back onto the body — comes into play. You’re moving fast but at the same time, you feel as if you are being pinned down by up to three times your body weight. “Over a two-hour stint,” Tan says, “I lose two pounds of water weight each race.”
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