The first Formula One Esports Series was announced on 21 August 2017. 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.
The 2018 season was Formula 1's first full year in esports, split into two stages. In the first stage, which opened in April 2018, online racers could earn a place on an official F1 team's esports driver lineup through the inaugural Pro Draft. 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. Over 66,000 gamers participated for a share of a $200,000 prize fund. The series drew a record audience of 5.5 million across selected TV networks and live streams. Mercedes took the 2018 Team Championship and Brendon Leigh became a two-time Driver Champion.
On 8 April 2019 Formula 1 announced the third instalment of the F1 Esports Series with an increased prize fund of $500,000. Ferrari joined the series after choosing not to participate the previous year. 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 at LAN. 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 runner-up in both championships. The championship remained online for the 2022 season, when Lucas Blakeley and McLaren Shadow claimed their first titles, with Rasmussen again second.
For the 2023–24 season the championship was renamed "F1 Sim Racing" and moved back to LAN for the first time since 2019. It was won by Rasmussen, who claimed his maiden title after four consecutive runner-up finishes. The 2025 championship was won by Jarno Opmeer, becoming the first driver to win three championships and the first time a driver's championships were not won in consecutive seasons. Opmeer and Rasmussen paired at Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing for the first time to win the teams' record third Teams' Championship that year.
Until 2022, teams could only sign drivers who had either previously competed in the pro series or qualified for that year's Pro Exhibition. The most common qualification route was to finish in the top six of the Challengers Series — shorter championships held separately on PC, PlayStation and Xbox, entered by setting high scores in special challenge scenarios. Three drivers per platform also qualified through the DHL Time Trial, competing for fastest times in the in-game Time Trial mode on specific circuits. Other minor qualification routes included the Women's Wildcard.
The 2023 Pro Exhibition never occurred despite the Challengers Series for that year having taken place. Since then, teams may sign whichever drivers they choose. The Challengers Series was discontinued from 2024 onwards.
In the Pro Series, all participating teams carry three drivers in their lineup and must choose two for each of the twelve 50% races broadcast live to the official F1 channels. Points earned count towards the championship; the winning team and driver are crowned F1 Sim Racing Teams' and Drivers' World Champions respectively, with a portion of the prize fund distributed to teams based on their standings.
As of the end of the 2025 season, 87 races have been held in total: 3 in 2017 (plus 2 semi-finals in 4 groups), 10 in 2018, and 12 from 2019 onwards. The points system mirrors real Formula 1, including the fastest-lap bonus point from 2019 onwards. Exceptions: the last race in 2017 used a different system where every finisher was awarded points (45-38-34-29 etc.), and the last race in 2018 awarded double points.
Notable individual records include Brendon Leigh recording a hat-trick at the 2018 Great Britain Grand Prix and Jarno Opmeer recording one at the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix. Marcel Kiefer in 2020 and Lucas Blakeley in 2021 each achieved a 100% points-finish season.
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