History
The first Formula One Esports Series was announced on 21 August 2017. [2] Over 60,000 players attempted to qualify for the LAN finals of the first season, which were watched by viewers from 123 countries. Brendon Leigh won the inaugural championship. [3]
2018 was Formula 1's first full season in esports and was split into 2 stages. In the first stage that opened in April 2018, online racers were offered the incredible opportunity to earn a place on the official esports driver line-up for one of the official F1 teams. Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport, Red Bull Racing, Force India F1 Team, Williams, Renault Sport F1 Team, Haas F1 Team, McLaren, Toro Rosso and Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team all offered positions in their esports driver line ups as part of the series inaugural Pro Draft. [1] Over 66,000 gamers participated to vie for a spot in the official F1 teams' esports team who competed in the F1 New Balance Esports Series and a chance to win a share of the $200,000 prize fund. The series drew a record audience of 5.5million across selected TV networks and live streams online. Mercedes took the 2018 Team Championship and Brendon Leigh became two-time Driver Champion. [4]
On 8 April 2019, Formula 1 announced the third instalment of the F1 Esports Series, with an increased prize fund of $500,000. [5] Ferrari joined the series after choosing not to take part the year prior. [6] The series was won by David Tonizza, driving for Ferrari Driver Academy, with Red Bull Racing Esports taking the Constructors' Trophy.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 seasons were held remotely online rather than in a LAN setting. Both titles were won by Jarno Opmeer, in 2020 for Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen Esports and in 2021 for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports. Frederik Rasmussen finished as runner-up in both championships. The championship remained online for the 2022 season when Lucas Blakeley and McLaren Shadow claimed their first titles in the series with Rasmussen again in second.
For the next season, the championship would be renamed to "F1 Sim Racing" and was contested across late 2023 and early 2024. It was won by Rasmussen, who claimed his maiden title after finishing as runner-up in four of the previous six seasons. The following seasons and beyond, the championship name would remain the same. The 2025 championship was won by Jarno Opmeer, becoming the first driver to win three championships and the first time there was a gap year in between a drivers’ consecutive championship. Opmeer and Rasmussen paired up at Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing to win the teams’ record third Teams’ Championship that year.
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2025 Formula One Sim Racing World Championship 
Jarno Opmeer) 
Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing)
