The Global Qualifier (GQ) has once again proven why it is the backbone of international drone racing. Serving as the gateway to the MultiGP Championship, the GQ allows pilots around the world to race on standardized tracks, compare times on a unified leaderboard, and ultimately earn their shot at the season’s biggest stage.
This year, the GQ reached unprecedented scale, 1113 pilots from 51 countries, making 2025 one of the most diverse and competitive seasons in MultiGP and Drone Racing history. The global spread reflects not just the sport’s popularity in its traditional hotbeds of the United States and Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia but also the increasing presence of pilots from emerging drone racing scenes in places like Eastern Europe, and South America.
One of the biggest stories of 2025 was the remarkable growth of the Asian scene. China and its neighbors produced a wave of new talent thanks to the addition of several key chapters: Shanghai Drone Racing, Super Pulse (China), Underground.KL FPV Drone Racing (Malaysia), and Aspan Race (Kazakhstan).
These chapters didn’t just expand the map—they delivered results. Multiple Asian pilots broke into the Top 20 and beyond, with South Korea placing two pilots in the Top 10 and Japan’s Yuki Hashimoto finishing fifth overall.
Breaking Down the Top 10
Dimo “BURKAN” Shterev
Bulgaria
GQ Spring: 26.903s
GQ Summer: 27.342s
The KDCSofia standout claimed the #1 spot with precision and speed, marking a milestone moment for Bulgaria and Eastern Europe
Minjae “Minjae_” Kim
South Korea
GQ Spring: 26.740s
GQ Summer: –
Far from a newcomer, Minjae has been a Championship finalist for years, always knocking on the door of the top podium but never quite reaching it. Could 2025 finally be the season where he claims the crown?
Jonny “neonfpv” Exner
USA
GQ Spring: 27.970s
GQ Summer: 27.424s
The fastest American this season. After years of experience dominating tiny whoop events, Neon has proven his maturity in the premier 5-inch class—delivering a breakthrough podium at the Global Qualifier.
Mason “Hyper” Lively
USA
GQ Spring: 27.608s
GQ Summer: 28.791s
A veteran name in drone racing, Mason once again proved his consistency with another strong showing.
Yuki Hashimoto
Japan
GQ Spring: 26.907s
GQ Summer: –
This looks like Yuki’s year. Wherever he goes, he wins—and after claiming his second FPV World Cup title at the International Open 2025, he enters Champs as the man to beat. Can anyone stop him?
Tim “Timmyfpvv” Fredriksson
Sweden
GQ Spring: 29.118s
GQ Summer: 29.199s
Scandinavia’s flagbearer, Tim climbed to sixth overall, signaling the region’s increasing presence in elite FPV competition.
LEE “FLOWERPIG” Minseo
South Korea
GQ Spring: 27.087s
GQ Summer: –
FLOWERPIG brings another Top 10 finish for Korea, a country with a rich history of dominance in FPV racing. His run proves Korea’s depth remains intact even without its superstar.
Alexander “Superspiro” Daskalov
Bulgaria
GQ Spring: 31.157s
GQ Summer: 29.439s
Another Bulgarian in the Top 10, giving the country two elite finishers in a historic season.
Gabe “IQ0” Barrasso
Australia
GQ Spring: 31.111s
GQ Summer: 29.526s
Flying the flag for Oceania, Gabe’s ninth place brought Australia firmly back into the global conversation.
Evan “HeadsUp” Turner
USA
GQ Spring: 27.718s
GQ Summer: –
One of the sport’s most recognized names, HeadsUp rounded out the Top 10, ensuring the U.S. stayed well-represented among the world’s elite.
