Ferrari HP Esports Series Launches 2025 Season with Global Expansion
Prancing Horse expands virtual racing presence as Chinese drivers join the competition for the first time
April 1, 2025 – Ferrari's flagship virtual racing competition, the Ferrari HP Esports Series 2025, officially launched its sixth season today, promising six months of high-octane sim racing action. This year's championship will build upon the success of previous iterations, culminating in a prestigious live Grand Final at Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi this December. With registrations now open, virtual racers worldwide have the opportunity to follow in the tire tracks of previous champions and potentially earn a coveted spot in Scuderia Ferrari's esports team.
The 2025 edition marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Ferrari's digital motorsport initiative, with significant expansion and enhanced competitive formats designed to identify the most skilled virtual racers across three distinct gaming platforms.
Global Expansion into China
The 2025 season represents a watershed moment for the prestigious series with China joining the competitive regions for the first time – a strategic expansion that brings the world's largest gaming market into Ferrari's virtual racing ecosystem. This development creates a truly global competition across three major territories – EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), Americas (North and South America), and an expanded APAC (Asia-Pacific, now including China).
“Expanding into China allows us to tap into an incredible pool of sim racing talent and further cement Ferrari's presence in this vital market,” said Rong Chen, Ferrari HP Esports Series Manager. “After a brief break in December, we're excited to kick off the new season with greater competition and more thrilling action.”
Last year's competition demonstrated the series' global appeal, drawing over 17,000 registrations worldwide with racers from ten different nations ultimately qualifying for the Grand Final. The championship has quickly established itself as one of the premier destinations for serious sim racers looking to showcase their skills on an international stage.
Defending Champion Returns
Defending champion Luke Whitehead, the 21-year-old British talent who claimed the 2024 crown with a remarkable performance, is slated to return. Whitehead, who joined Scuderia Ferrari HP Esports Team following his championship victory, shocked observers last year by taking victories in two of the three racing platforms despite being a last-minute entrant into the Final.
“Having taken part in last year's Ferrari HP Esports Series, I am super excited to see how the 2025 iteration pans out,” said Whitehead. “It's a fantastic opportunity to rub doors with some of the best across three varied sims, to show your skills and win a once in a lifetime prize.”
Whitehead's journey from qualifier to champion exemplifies the series' role as a genuine talent pipeline for Ferrari's official esports team, joining previous winners like Jonathan Riley, Isaac Gillissen, and Gergo Baldi who have successfully made the transition to professional sim racing.
Multi-Stage Competition Structure
The 2025 series features a comprehensive competition structure designed to progressively identify the most talented drivers through multiple elimination stages:
Global Hot Laps (June 2 – July 28)
The season kicks off with a two-month qualifying period where drivers worldwide can participate in time trial challenges across three distinct gaming platforms: Assetto Corsa, Assetto Corsa Competizione, and iRacing. The top 20 performers from each game in each region automatically advance to the Regional Finals, while positions 11-30 move on to the Regional Qualifiers.
Thrustmaster Community Cup (August 1 – September 12)
Running parallel to the main competition, this open series creates an alternative qualification path for aspiring racers. Featuring an international leaderboard across six rounds, the winner of the final round secures a wildcard entry directly into the Grand Final.
Regional Qualifiers (September 1 – October 6)
Consisting of two heats per game with qualifying sessions and races, the Regional Qualifiers will see intense competition as drivers battle for advancement. Only the top five from each heat will progress to join the automatic qualifiers in the Regional Finals.
Regional Finals (October 8 – November 9)
These decisive events will determine which drivers represent their regions at the Grand Final. With qualifying sessions and two races per platform, the accumulated points will determine the top performers: five from EMEA, four from APAC, and four from the Americas will advance to Abu Dhabi.
LAN Grand Final (December 3)
The season culminates with 14 elite drivers (13 qualifiers plus the Community Cup wildcard) competing in a high-pressure live environment at Ferrari World Yas Island. Following last year's format, competitors will face three qualifying stages and three races across all platforms, with the highest point-scorer being crowned champion.
Enhanced Live Experience
The 2025 Grand Final will build upon last year's successful live format, taking place at the dedicated Esports Arena at Ferrari World Yas Island that launched in October 2024. For the first time, competitors will race in front of an expanded live audience, adding another layer of pressure to the already intense competition.
“The live element adds a completely different dimension to sim racing,” explained Tiziana Mecozzi, Scuderia Ferrari HP Esports Team Manager. “The drivers must not only master three different simulations but also perform under the scrutiny of a live audience – skills that are essential for those hoping to compete at the highest levels of esports.”
Regional Finals will also receive expanded coverage with live broadcasts on Ferrari's YouTube and Twitch channels, giving fans worldwide the opportunity to follow their favorite drivers' journeys toward the Grand Final.
Virtual Ferrari Lineup
Participants will pilot three high-performance Ferrari models across the different gaming platforms, each presenting unique handling characteristics and challenges:
- Ferrari 488 GT3 EVO (Assetto Corsa) – A proven GT3 contender with balanced handling characteristics
- Ferrari 296 GT3 (Assetto Corsa Competizione) – The newer GT3 challenger featuring hybrid technology
- Ferrari 499P (iRacing) – Ferrari's Le Mans Hypercar that claimed victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 and 2024
The diversity of vehicles tests drivers' adaptability and comprehensive racing skills, requiring mastery of different racing disciplines from GT3 competition to prototype endurance racing.
Professional Pathway
The Ferrari HP Esports Series continues to serve as a potential pathway to professional esports careers, with successful competitors having the opportunity to join Scuderia Ferrari's official esports roster.
“The Ferrari HP Esports Series represents a unique pathway for sim-racers and enthusiasts worldwide to show their talent, following the dream of joining the Scuderia Ferrari HP Esports Team,” noted Mecozzi. “Jonathan Riley, Isaac Gillissen, Gergo Baldi, and Luke Whitehead are just a few of the talents that have won the latest editions of the championship and reached the goal of representing the Prancing Horse on and off the track.”
This talent development pipeline has proven increasingly valuable as esports racing continues to professionalize, with Scuderia Ferrari HP recently claiming the F1 Sim Racing Constructors' Championship title for the first time.
Technology Partnership Integration
The 2025 series benefits from Ferrari's technological partnerships with industry leaders including title sponsor HP, peripheral manufacturer Thrustmaster, simulation equipment provider Next Level Racing, cybersecurity firm Bitdefender, and luxury watchmaker Richard Mille.
These collaborations ensure competitors have access to state-of-the-art equipment during official events, with HP's high-performance computing systems powering the simulations and Thrustmaster providing professional-grade racing peripherals.
Conclusion
The 2025 Ferrari HP Esports Series represents Ferrari's continued commitment to expanding its digital motorsport footprint, bridging the gap between virtual and real-world racing. With its global expansion, enhanced competition structure, and proven pathway to professional opportunities, the series offers unprecedented opportunities for aspiring sim racers.
Registration is now open at the official website (esportsseries.ferrari.com), with qualification beginning in June. Whether you're a seasoned sim racing veteran or an enthusiastic newcomer, Ferrari's digital doors are open to those brave enough to test their skills against the world's best.
The Ferrari HP Esports Series is supported by technology partners HP, Thrustmaster, Next Level Racing, Bitdefender, and Richard Mille.