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F1 Sim Racing 2024 Finale: Two Titles On The Line

The Mercedes-AMG F1 Esports team returns to Sweden this week for the 2024 F1 Sim Racing World Championship season finale, three weeks after a fiercely competitive first event in Stockholm.

Two Titles on the Line

There’s nothing like the drama and competition of a championship battle, and the team will be fighting for glory on both team and driver fronts over the next three days.

Two-time series champion Jarno Opmeer sits P3 in the Drivers’ standings, 44 points off the top with five races and 135 points still to play for. The Dutchman claimed his 10th win at this level with victory at Silverstone last time out.

He also scored a P2 finish at the opening round at Bahrain last November.

Strong showings from team-mates Dani Bereznay and Jake Benham – who will again share driving duties of the second car – last time out means the team enter the final event of the campaign second in the Teams’ Championship, 20 points adrift of leaders Red Bull.

What the Team Say

With two events so close together in the calendar, it has been no straightforward task to get ready for the 2024 season finale, but Team Principal Oli MacFarlane is proud of the way the team has worked.

He said: “I have been so impressed by the resilience and energy of this team. With everything going on it would be easy to lose focus, but this team just has not.

“I have not seen the team this hungry since we last won the World Championship in 2021. I would love to see all the extraordinary hard work that has gone into this, rewarded.

“We feel that the performance is right there, and if we can deliver the way we know we can then these championships are right there to fight for.

“I cannot wait to see how the whole season wraps up.”

Jarno also praised the strong team mentality within the group: “Preparation for driving five events in three days is challenging, but the team, Dani, and Jake have been very supportive.

“We’re excited to get back to Sweden now and leave it all out on track.

“Winning a third title is the goal, and would mean so much after a challenging season with so many sacrifices made.”

I have been so impressed by the resilience and energy of this team.

Team Principal Oli MacFarlane

Dani, who returned to Brackley at the start of the current campaign, scored the team’s third podium of the year with P3 at Silverstone three weeks ago. He had also taken pole for the race.

The experienced Hungarian is ready for anything as he prepares to help the team achieve success against a competitive grid.

“There are no surprises at this point, it is all about consistency and preparing yourself to perform during the key moments of the event. That is what will truly matter,” he said.

“As professionals our goals to maximize opportunities for both Drivers’ and Constructors’ championship are as clear as an empty blue sky.”

Jake, now in his second season of the series, added: “Winning this season would be such a big moral boost. It has been an extremely brutal campaign and it would mean a great deal.

“My focus is on getting as many points as possible for the team to help us win the Constructors.”

How Do the Sim Racing Events Work?

The remaining five races of the season will take place in Stockholm over three days. Races will take place with all drivers sat in their simulators alongside one another on stage, playing on the same network, known as a LAN event.

Each event will consist of a qualifying and a race. All race distances are 50% of a Formula One Grand Prix.

The points system for each race will also mirror that of a Grand Prix: 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 for the top 10 finishers.

One point is awarded for pole position and fastest lap if the driver has finished in the top 10, as in F1.

When Are the Races?

Below are the dates and times for the races coming up this week. All times are CEST.

May 7 (Mexico and Sao Paulo)

12:15: Mexico qualifying

14:20: Sao Paulo qualifying

17:15: Mexico race, 36 laps

19:20: Sao Paulo race, 36 laps

May 8 (Las Vegas and Qatar)

12:15: Las Vegas qualifying

14:20: Qatar qualifying

17:15: Las Vegas race, 25 laps

19:20: Qatar race, 29 laps

May 9 (Abu Dhabi)

14:15: Abu Dhabi qualifying

17:15: Abu Dhabi race, 29 laps

How Can I Watch?

All three days will be broadcast live on the Official Formula One YouTube channel, as well as on Twitch and Facebook.

You can go behind the scenes with the team in Stockholm too by following our Esports Team social channels:

Twitter: @MercedesF1Esp

Instagram: mercedesf1esports