Simracing - Play your games!

Like Cem Bölükbasi, who discovered Formula 2 five years after his debut in simracing, can Esport allow, in the long term, to shake up the established order and the pyramid of access to the motorsport firmament? ?

Published on 20/02/2022 à 13:00

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Cem Bölükbasi

« Simracing is defining itself more as a profession than as a simple game. In ten years, at the speed at which technology is evolving, we could have a driver from Esports access the Formula 1. » In 2019, the marketing director of the Formula 1 Group, Ellie Norman, had serious ambitions for the future of simracing, and its juxtaposition of the “virtual” to the king of motorsport.

Although we will have to wait until 2029 to see his prophecy come true, it is clear that the transition times are not far from being respected. The rise of Cem Bölükbasi, from simracing for the team Toro Rosso in 2017 to the F1 lobby with Charouz five years later, is proof of this. “ If I can go from the F1 Esports Series to Formula 2, I think anyone can achieve it“, declared the Turkish pilot last month. Would simracing act like a hidden elevator at the heart of