Author: Joshua De Rocker

  • New professional sim series joins 2026 SRO Esports roster

    New professional sim series joins 2026 SRO Esports roster

    The world’s leading sim racing teams and drivers will once again become a permanent fixture within the real-world Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS paddock in 2026, thanks to the return of the SRO Esports Sim Pro Series.

    The five-round invitational championship strengthens an already packed global SRO Esports calendar. Alongside it, the ecosystem continues to feature multiple online competitions supported by Mobileye—including regional sprint championships and an intercontinental endurance series—as well as the Fanatec Esports GT Pro Series, where virtual performance contributes directly to real-world team standings.

    The Fanatec Arena, which travels to each Endurance Cup event, will once again host two 60-minute Assetto Corsa Competizione races per weekend: one for real-world GT drivers and another dedicated to elite sim racing professionals. Competitors will battle for points and prize money at Monza, Circuit Paul Ricard, Spa-Francorchamps, Nürburgring, and Barcelona.

    The Sim Pro Series builds on the continued success of previous on-site esports events, which have proven to be a major attraction for both fans and manufacturers by blending virtual and real-world competition within the same event environment.

    A total of 24 professional entries will compete at each round. The majority of teams are confirmed ahead of the season, while the final grid spot is determined via an on-site last chance qualifier. Teams retain flexibility to rotate drivers throughout the five-round championship.

    Each event is designed as a one-day competition format. Following rig setup and practice sessions earlier in the day, drivers progress through warm-up, qualifying, and the main race in the evening—directly following the Fanatec Esports GT Pro Series session.

    A total prize pool of €75,000 will be distributed across the championship.

    In addition, €88,500 is allocated to SRO Esports’ global online competitions. The Mobileye GT World Challenge Esports championships in Europe, Asia, and America each feature five sprint races, while the endurance component is represented by the Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports Powered by Mobileye, spanning five iconic circuits across different continents. Each championship allows up to 24 Pro and 24 Silver entries.

    To encourage regional participation, drivers must compete within their respective geographic series.

    European and Asian races are typically held midweek, while American rounds take place on weekends. Intercontinental endurance events are scheduled across full race weekends.


    2026 SRO Esports Sim Pro Series Calendar (On-site Sprint)

    • April 18 – Monza
    • May 30 – Circuit Paul Ricard
    • June 27 – Spa-Francorchamps
    • July 25 – Nürburgring
    • September 26 – Barcelona

    Total Prize Pool: €75,000

    LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR OPINION ON SIMRACING!

  • “The target is to fight for the Gold Cup title” – Arthur Rougier aiming to start strong at Circuit Paul Ricard

    “The target is to fight for the Gold Cup title” – Arthur Rougier aiming to start strong at Circuit Paul Ricard

    Arthur Rougier is aiming to kick off the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe season in style as he returns to Circuit Paul Ricard (April 10–12), a track that holds special significance in his career.

    The French driver first made his mark at Paul Ricard back in 2017, where he secured the French F4 title after a close battle with Victor Martins. Since then, Rougier has transitioned from single-seaters to GT racing, making his GT World Challenge debut in 2020 with Saintéloc Racing.

    He later spent two seasons with Emil Frey Racing, highlighted by an overall podium finish at Magny-Cours in 2021. In 2023, Rougier joined CSA Racing, continuing with Audi machinery before the team switched to McLaren for the 2025 season. That move also saw Rougier become an official McLaren factory driver.

    The partnership delivered immediate results. In their first race with the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, Rougier, Simon Gachet, and James Kell secured victory in the Gold Cup class and finished sixth overall at Paul Ricard—adding another milestone at the iconic French circuit.

    Heading into the 2026 season, Rougier has clear ambitions:

    “The target is to fight for the Gold Cup title.”

    However, the competition is expected to be fierce. CSA Racing will face strong opposition from teams such as Garage 59 and ROWE Racing, both of which bring proven performance and depth to the grid.

    Despite the challenge, Rougier sees it as extra motivation as he looks to build momentum from the very first race weekend.

  • Spectacular season ahead as GT World Challenge reveals capacity grids featuring 10 manufacturers

    Spectacular season ahead as GT World Challenge reveals capacity grids featuring 10 manufacturers

    GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS is set for a massive 2026 season, with full-capacity grids confirmed ahead of the opening race at Circuit Paul Ricard (April 11–12).

    A total of 59 cars will compete in the Endurance Cup, while a record 45 entries are confirmed for the Sprint Cup. Both championships are now fully booked, highlighting the growing popularity and competitiveness of GT3 racing at the highest level.

    10 Manufacturers Confirmed for 2026

    Ten major manufacturers will battle for victory this season:

    • Aston Martin
    • Audi
    • BMW
    • Chevrolet
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
    • Lamborghini
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes-AMG
    • Porsche

    The grid is expected to expand even further during the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa (June 25–28), the flagship event of the season, known for combining elite endurance racing with a festival-like atmosphere for fans.

    Four Competitive Classes on the Grid

    The 2026 season will once again feature four classes:

    • Pro Class – Top-tier factory-supported teams and professional drivers
    • Gold Cup – Competitive mix of pro and semi-pro drivers
    • Silver Cup – Emerging talent and rising stars
    • Bronze Cup – Pro-am lineups featuring experienced amateur drivers

    This structure ensures close competition across all levels of the field.

    Global Drivers and Top Teams

    The 2026 entry list includes some of the strongest teams in GT racing, with multiple championship winners and Spa 24 Hours victors returning to the grid.

    Drivers from over 30 countries across six continents will compete this season, combining experienced professionals, future stars, and skilled amateur racers—making GT World Challenge one of the most diverse and competitive racing series in the world.

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