The 2025 Drift Masters season wasted no time delivering fireworks as fans packed into Circuito del Jarama for an unforgettable opening day in Madrid. Under the Spanish sun, some of the best drivers in the world hit the track for their first real test of the season, and the results did not disappoint.
Deane Comes Out Swinging
All eyes were on James Deane as he debuted his brand-new Ford Mustang RTR chassis, and the Irishman made a serious statement by topping the Qualifying leaderboard with a commanding 93.5-point run. The car looked dialed, and Deane looked right at home behind the wheel, putting down a near-flawless line that set the tone for the day.
Not far behind was Piotr Więcek, who proved he’s lost none of his edge during the off-season. Driving his freshly improved Toyota Supra MK5, Więcek pushed hard to score a 91.7, good enough for second overall. Rounding out the Top 3 was Norway’s Tor Arne Kvia, who laid down an aggressive 90.5 in his Nissan S13, reminding everyone that he’s a serious threat this year.
Our 32 Qualifiers
The Return of the Qualifying Showdown
As is tradition now, the Top 4 drivers advanced to the fan-favorite Qualifying Showdown, a head-to-head battle format that never fails to deliver drama.
It began with an all-Irish faceoff between James Deane and Jack Shanahan, with Deane narrowly taking the win after a close battle.
Then came Piotr Więcek vs. Tor Arne Kvia, which ended in a dramatic twist when Kvia’s driver door flew open mid-chase, forcing an incomplete and sending Piotr through to the final.
That set the stage for a dream battle between two Drift Masters titans - Deane vs. Więcek - but the climax didn’t go to plan.
Collision Ends It Early
In the final run of the day, an uncharacteristic mistake from James Deane during his chase lap led to a heavy collision with Piotr Więcek at the second corner. The crash brought the battle to an abrupt and dramatic halt, with officials deeming Deane at fault for the contact.
As a result, Piotr Więcek was awarded the win and officially crowned the Round 2 Qualifying Showdown winner in Madrid.
Thankfully, both drivers walked away from the incident, and teams were hard at work trying to get the cars repaired ahead of tomorrow’s battles.
What’s Next?
After an explosive Day 1, we’re only just getting started. The Top 32 Battles kick off tomorrow — LIVE on Red Bull TV from 12:15pm CEST — and with rivalries heating up and drivers hungry to stake their claim on the 2025 title, it’s anyone’s game.
Madrid has already delivered the chaos, now it’s time for the championship fight to truly begin.
