Day 1 of the Red Bull Drift Masters Grand Finale delivered everything fans could have hoped for inside Warsaw’s PGE Narodowy. Drivers putting it all on the line, the return of old rivalries, wildcards chasing glory, and the championship battle locked level heading into the final day.
Król Rises to the Occasion
With the title fight near-tied on points, the pressure on the grid was immense. That only made Jakub Król’s breakout performance even more special. The Polish driver lit up the stadium with a near-perfect 98 to seize the number one spot, sending the home crowd into raptures and throwing a major twist into an already dramatic storyline.
Behind him, Piotr Wiecek and James Deane were dead even on 97.2, their experience keeping them firmly in the mix. Conor Shanahan slotted just behind, meaning the title decider remains wide open with the championship’s biggest names all stacked at the top.
The Bar Set Sky High
If proof was needed of the level required to make the show, the cut-off line landed at a staggering 88.5 points. That’s how intense the competition was on drifting’s biggest stage, with even seasoned contenders fighting tooth and nail to keep themselves in play.
Showdown Turns Up the Heat
The Qualifying Showdown added another layer of drama. Król’s dream night ended early with a costly spin against Kevin Pesur, cutting short his charge. That opened the door for a long-awaited clash between Piotr Wiecek and James Deane - their first meeting since their clash in Spain. Piotr pushed a little too hard in the chase and spun, handing the win to Deane. In the final, James held his nerve against Pesur to claim the last Showdown victory of the year.
What’s at Stake
With the championship tied, the finale has never been more finely poised. Add in the battle for third tightening up behind them, and every single run tomorrow could reshape the standings. Day One is complete. Now it all comes down to the final battles of the season. The 2025 Red Bull Drift Masters champion will be crowned tomorrow, with action kicking off at 2:45PM UTC+2 live on Red Bull TV.
