The Evolution of F1 Esports: Past, Present, and Future

Formula 1 (F1) is widely recognized as a premier motorsport with its Grand Prix events attracting millions of viewers globally. During the COVID-19 pandemic, sim racing surged in popularity as drivers and fans alike turned to virtual racing in the absence of live events.

The potential for F1 esports, centered around the F1 game franchise, became evident. Initially experiencing significant growth during the pandemic, it faced a sharp decline afterward. So, what led to this drop in interest? Has F1 esports managed to recover? And what does the future hold?

To understand these questions, it’s helpful to review the rise of F1 esports during the pandemic.

The Rise

In 2020, with the world at a standstill, including F1, the sport sought to engage fans through online events. These events featured popular sim racers and F1 drivers like Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris, drawing significant attention. The F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix Series Vietnam, for instance, attracted up to 400,000 concurrent viewers.

“During lockdown, F1 sim racing really saw its peak,” said Max Fleckney, Sim Suite Operator Technician at the Silverstone Museum. “The esports series that F1 set up gathered a lot of viewers, was broadcast on Sky Sports, and provided a much-needed Formula 1 experience when live racing wasn’t possible.”

The F1 Esports Series was launched in 2017, with its first event, organized by Gfinity and F1, drawing around 60,000 players attempting to qualify. The series transitioned from LAN events to online formats during the pandemic, leading to a surge in viewership. However, as restrictions eased and fans returned to live F1 events, interest in the esports series waned.

Despite this decline, the period of increased visibility helped establish sim racing as a notable segment in the esports market and a niche within the broader racing industry. Sim racing continues to thrive with other prominent titles like iRacing, Project CARS 2, and Assetto Corsa Competizione, demonstrating ongoing interest in the genre despite the challenges faced.

The Fall

Despite significant growth in F1 sim racing, 2023 saw a major setback rather than a continuation of the momentum. The F1 Esports series faced a series of disruptions and delays. The 2023–24 Formula One Sim Racing World Championship experienced significant uncertainty after Gfinity and F1 parted ways. ESL took over the management of the series, but the transition led to considerable confusion and a lack of communication.

Initially rebranded as F1 Sim Racing, the series saw a period of silence with no updates from ESL or F1’s official channels. Fans and participants were left in the dark, with only informal mentions about possible events. On November 22, 2023, Haas announced their team lineup and suggested that the first F1 Sim Racing race would occur on November 24. However, this race did not take place, and official communication remained absent until November 25, when the F1 Esports Twitter account reactivated during DreamHack Sweden to announce the beginning of the season.

Subsequent events faced issues as well. An event scheduled for December 15–16 was canceled, and further updates were scarce. In April 2024, the F1 Sim Racing World Championship resumed with a more stable structure, including 11 races over two LAN events. Although the return was welcomed, the initial disruptions had impacted the series’ momentum.

The cause of these issues appeared to be a contractual dispute between F1 Esports and ESL, according to sim racing content creator Alex Gillion, though neither party officially confirmed this. The lack of consistent communication and structure from official sources pushed the professional sim racing community towards alternative platforms like Premier Sim Gaming Leagues (PSGL) and World Online Racing (WOR), where top drivers continued to compete.

Byron Hale, Community Manager for PSGL, highlighted the crucial role of community-driven events: “Without community events, there is no game. Whether through content creators or leagues like us, we all contribute to keeping the game engaging and relevant.”

The broader sim racing scene faced challenges too. For example, the Le Mans Virtual event, held on rFactor 2, encountered server issues, leading to significant disruptions and the withdrawal of notable participants like Max Verstappen. Such issues underscore the difficulties in managing high-profile sim racing events.

The Future

The return of the F1 Sim Racing World Championship in 2024 was a positive development, with the series running smoothly and concluding before the release of F1 24. The partnership between G2 and Alpine suggests ongoing support for F1 esports in the 2024/25 season. However, to capitalize on past successes and improve, several key areas need attention.

F1 Esports must ensure a consistent schedule of races and enhance communication with fans. The lack of announcements and updates in 2023 was unusual for both esports and traditional sports, and maintaining clear communication is essential to keep fans engaged.

Despite recent difficulties, there remains a strong interest in sim racing. As noted by Max Fleckney from the Silverstone Museum, there is growing enthusiasm among new and aspiring sim racers. The audience is eager for structured competitive play and clear pathways to professional levels.

The F1 Sim Racing World Championship 2023/24 achieved a peak viewership of 42,877, showing that there is still a dedicated audience, even though it fell short of the heights reached in 2020. This indicates potential for growth, especially if the series can effectively fill the off-season gap and build on the existing fan base.

Overall, F1 esports is at a pivotal moment. The series faces the challenge of rebuilding its viewership and reputation, but with the right strategies and better communication, it has the potential to thrive. The groundwork is laid, and success will depend on how well the organizers leverage the community and learn from past experiences as they move forward with F1 24.