The F1 Sim Racing World Championship is back for its eighth season, bringing together all 10 official Formula 1 teams for thrilling virtual racing action. With each team fielding three drivers, a total of 30 competitors will battle it out across 12 rounds for a share of the $750,000 (~₱41,700,000) prize pool.
The competition, centered on F1 24 by Codemasters and EA Sports, aims to keep fans engaged during Formula 1’s winter off-season. Known as F1’s premier virtual esports championship, this series has become a cornerstone of competitive sim racing.
The 2025 championship begins on January 14, where racers will take on Melbourne’s Albert Park Street Circuit for a 29-lap showdown. Three more races will follow over the next two days, kicking off an adrenaline-fueled journey across three events. The second set of races runs from February 12 to February 14, while the final showdown wraps up the season from March 25 to March 27. Fans can catch all the action live on the official F1 YouTube, Twitch, Facebook channels, and dedicated F1 Esports social media platforms.
First launched in 2018, the F1 Sim Racing World Championship has evolved into a fan-favorite esports competition. However, the scene has seen its ups and downs. The COVID-19 pandemic brought record-breaking viewership, peaking at 400,000 during the 2020 F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix Series in Vietnam. Unfortunately, subsequent years struggled to maintain that momentum, culminating in a challenging 2023–24 season marked by delays and cancellations.
The competition made a promising return in April 2024, delivering tighter organization and a dedicated community. Though viewership numbers were more modest—peaking at 42,877 during Event Two—it demonstrated the enduring passion for sim racing among F1 fans.
Last season ended on a high note as Frederik Rasmussen of Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing clinched the Driver Championship, outpacing Thomas Ronhaar of Kick F1 Sim Racing in a dramatic final round. Scuderia Ferrari Esports claimed the World Constructors’ Championship, showcasing the depth of talent across the competition.
The 2025 season promises more drama and precision as drivers navigate the world’s most iconic circuits virtually. With stakes high and a hefty prize pool, fans can expect thrilling races and intense rivalries throughout the season.
