Simracing professionals – When virtual motorsport becomes a real career
What once began as a hobby on the home PC has developed into a serious discipline in recent years: sim racing. Today, there are professional sim racers worldwide who, with talent, discipline, and high-end technology, achieve top performances on virtual racetracks – and earn their living doing so.
Professional sim racers participate in international competitions organized not only by game developers but also by real motorsports associations. Series such as the FIA Motorsport Games , the Porsche Esports Supercup (iRacing) , and the Gran Turismo World Series attract millions of viewers – live on Twitch, YouTube, or on television.
Many of these drivers train for several hours a day, analyze telemetry data, and work closely with teams, engineers, and strategists – just like in real motorsport. The difference: Instead of fuel and rubber, data and digital precision flow here.
Some sim racers have even made the leap into real motorsport. Names like Enzo Bonito , James Baldwin , and Jann Mardenborough are emblematic of this development. The latter was discovered through Nissan's GT Academy program – from his living room straight to the real racetrack. His journey demonstrates that sim racing has long been considered a true stepping stone to professional motorsport.
Sim racing has also become financially attractive at the professional level. Thanks to sponsorships, prize money, team contracts, and content creation on platforms like YouTube or Twitch, it's now possible to earn good money with virtual racing. Large eSports organizations like Team Redline , Coanda Esports , and Williams Esports operate their own sim racing departments – with structured training, coaching, and strategic planning.
But even beyond the absolute top, the semi-professional scene is growing. Many ambitious drivers compete in leagues like the VCO Infinity , the Virtual Endurance Championship , or national racing series, working their way up step by step with hard work and skill.
Conclusion: Yes, there are sim racing professionals – and their numbers are steadily growing. What was once ridiculed is now a highly dynamic area of digital sports that combines both passion and professionalism – and often has more in common with real racing than one might assume at first glance.
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