Unstoppable: Conor Shanahan Takes Championship and Finale Win at PGE Narodowy

We have witnessed history repeat itself inside the walls of Warsaw’s PGE Narodowy, as Conor Shanahan secured both the 2025 Drift Masters championship and the Grand Finale victory in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 50,000 fans.

The drama unfolded in extraordinary fashion. Conor’s championship was mathematically sealed before he had even turned a wheel in battle, as his closest rival, Piotr Wiecek, suffered heartbreak in the Top 32 when mechanical failure forced his car to shut down just before the finish line in his battle against Espen Rohde. That moment ended Piotr’s title hopes and, by tie-breaker, handed the crown to Conor, who had collected higher finishing results across the season with two wins and a second place compared to Piotr’s two wins and a third place.

The championship may have been decided early, but the battles were far from over. The Top 32 itself was a minefield, with some of the huge names falling at the first hurdle. Top Qualifier Jakub Król exited after a One More Time defeat to Clint Van Oort, while Tor-Arne Kvia, Juha Rintanen, and Japanese wildcard Hiroya Minowa were also eliminated from competition in dramatic fashion. It was a reminder that at this level of the sport nothing comes easy.

From the Top 16 onward the action only grew more intense. Naoki Nakamura produced a breathtaking chase to knock out Duane McKeever, Adam LZ showed his pace in a clean win over Jason Banet, Pawel Korpulinski looked electric as he dispatched Conor Falvey, and Conor Shanahan’s march to glory continued as he overcame Lauri Heinonen in a fierce One More Time after the Finn’s mechanical issues forced him to retire.

The Top 8 delivered another wave of drama. Nakamura overwhelmed Alan Hynes with incredible pace and aggression, Pawel was clinical in taking down Adam LZ, Conor proved too strong for Espen Rohde, and James Deane advanced after it all went wrong for Jack Shanahan in the chase.

By the Final 4 the tension had reached boiling point. Pawel and Naoki went head-to-head in one of the battles of the season, requiring a One More Time before Pawel edged his way into the final. On the other side of the bracket Conor delivered one of the chase runs of the year to defeat James Deane, setting up a Grand Finale showdown that felt like déjà vu.

The playoff for third place provided a breakthrough moment. After years of close calls, Naoki Nakamura finally claimed his first ever Drift Masters podium, defeating James Deane in a nail-biting battle that had the crowd on their feet.

Then came the final. Conor Shanahan versus Pawel Korpulinski, Ireland versus Poland, champion versus hometown hero. Their first duel was so close the judges called a One More Time. In the decider, Pawel blinked first, a small error in his lead giving Conor the opening he needed to take the win. For the second time in three years, Conor Shanahan not only secured the championship but also stood on the top step of the Grand Finale podium in Warsaw.

For Conor, the moment carried immense weight. After a season full of challenges, setbacks, and emotional battles, to emerge as champion once again was overwhelming. He credited his incredible team for their tireless work behind the scenes and shared that standing on the season podium alongside his brother Jack made the achievement even more special.

As the fireworks lit up the Warsaw sky, Pawel Korpulinski once again proved himself on home soil, taking second place in the finale for the second time in three years. Naoki’s long-awaited podium in third added a new name to the 2025 Drift Masters podium finishers, cementing the 2025 Grand Finale as potentially one of the most memorable yet.

1. Conor SHANAHAN - 490

2. Piotr WIECEK  -  406

3. Jack SHANAHAN -  351

4. Pawel KORPULINSKI - 327

5. James DEANE - 323

6. Kevin PESUR -  272

7. Lauri HEINONEN - 255

8. Oliver RANDALU - 232

9. Tor Arne KVIA - 229

10. Conor FALVEY - 210

To every fan who filled the stands, tuned in online, or followed the journey across Europe, thank you. Drift Masters is nothing without you, and tonight in Warsaw proved once again why drifting is the most exciting motorsport in the world.