ESL R1

Porsche competes in the ESL R1 with the Porsche Coanda Esports Racing Team, the official Esports works team of Porsche Motorsport, established in collaboration with Coanda Esports. A partnership that combines the extensive motorsport heritage of Porsche with Coanda's expertise in Sim Racing. In total, the ESL R1 features 12 professional teams, each comprising of four drivers, totaling 48 participants who compete at the highest level of virtual racing. One of the teams is the Porsche Coanda Esports Racing Team, racing with four factory drivers and one reserve driver and Joshua Rogers being the 2023 Driver Champion. So, the grid is packed with talent, ambition and tenacious skills. It’s this intense competition that pushes the Porsche Coanda Esports Racing Team to always try and be ahead of the field.

The ESL R1 format includes an intense qualifying process where drivers must earn their spot on the grid through precise solo time trials, raising the stakes even before the race begins. Some competitions may include knockout-style qualifiers, where only the top performers advance to the main event. This creates an extra dose of tension as drivers compete not just for pole position but for a place in the race itself. The qualifying stage not only determines starting positions but also sets the tone for the race, often giving a strategic advantage to the top qualifiers who can avoid mid-pack chaos and dictate the race pace from the front. But there is more, as drivers can compete in two Championships: The Team Championship and the Driver Championship. In the Team Championship, the points are awarded based on the combined results of a team's drivers in designated races. In the Driver Championship, the drivers accumulate points based on their race finishes. Second chance races and grand finals provide some extra tension and thrill plus the opportunity to showcase the driver’s skills and resilience in both Championships.

In Sim Races, and specifically also in the ESL R1, drivers and teams have to have a strategy to succeed. Drivers have to master tire management to maintain grip without sacrificing speed, while strategically using slipstreams to gain a crucial edge during overtakes. Balancing track position with consistent lap times becomes a high-stakes chess match, as they adapt to ever-changing virtual weather and track conditions. In this fast-paced arena, it’s not just about raw speed—it’s also about outsmarting the competition in every lap.

The series hosts events both online and at prominent venues worldwide. This approach allows fans to engage with the competition through live streams on Twitch and in-person experiences, making the sport accessible to a broad audience. Whether you’re a casual fan or a hardcore Esports enthusiast, ESL R1 offers detailed statistics, and interactive features, making it easy for anyone to follow and engage with the action.

The top drivers and teams compete in a final event, the season’s ultimate showdown: The Esports World Cup. It is the season's highlight, bringing together the top-performing drivers and teams for a high-stakes finale. The event elevates the competitive standards of Esports and creates a global platform for Sim Racing enthusiasts, setting a new benchmark for future events in the industry. This event, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, crowns the season’s champions and solidifies their place in virtual motorsport history.