Who are the drivers and teams competing at ESL R1 in Rennsport? Before the event kicks off at IEM Katowice, we take a look at the grid!
Image credit: Porsche
The silly season has come to an end: the grid for ESL R1, one of the most anticipated sim racing events of the year, is complete. G2 Esports was the last organisation to reveal their driver line up on Wednesday. Now, twelve teams are looking to claim the crown in the upcoming competition in the brand-new simulation Rennsport.
Before the action kicks off at the ESL R1 opening event at IEM Katowice on Saturday, let’s take a look at all the teams competing in ESL R1, their driver line-ups and which cars they will be racing in.
FaZe Clan
Esports powerhouse FaZe Clan surprised everyone when they revealed their final driver in Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter. The American is a three-time Call of Duty world champion, but now he seems to have found joy in a completely different esports field.
Full driver lineup of FaZe Clan at ESL R1:
- Lucas Müller
- Tim Jarschel
- Ulaş Özyıldırım
- Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter
- Car: Porsche 911 GT3 R
Furia Esports
The Brazilian esports organisation Furia Esports is especially known for its efforts in shooter games as well as Rocket League. At ESL R1, the team presents a full Brazilian driver line-up. Among them is Jeff Giassi, who not only celebrated victories in sim racing but also won the real-world Porsche Carrera Cup Endurance Challenge Brazil in 2021.
Full driver line up of Furia at ESL R1:
- Victor Veloso
- Jeff Giassi
- Caique Oliveira
- Felipe Baptista
- Car: BMW M4 GT3
G2 Esports
G2 was the last organisation to reveal their drivers for ESL R1. The waiting was definitely worth it, not only because it was presented with a hilarious announcement video, but also because the lineup is stacked with a former F1 Esports Team Champion in Joni Törmälä and a former iRacing World Champion in Isaac Price.
Gull driver line up of G2 Esports at ESL R1:
- Joni Törmälä
- Robbie Stapleford
- Isaac Price
- Eamonn Murphy
- Sebastian Job (support driver)
- Car: BMW M4 GT3
Heroic
Heroic was founded in 2013 in Copenhagen, but the brand was acquired by Norwegian esports organization Omaken Sports in 2021. Their Scandinavian history is also represented in their driver lineup for ESL R1, which is lead by Norwegian sim racing veteran Tommy Ostgaard.
Full driver line up of Heroic at ESL R1:
- Tommy Ostgaard
- Mikkel Gade
- Oskar Biksrud
- Tuomas Tähtelä
- Car: Porsche 911 GT3 R
R8G Esports
Founded by former Formula One driver Romain Grosjean, R8G Esports has made a mark in sim racing since 2020. Having recently won the 2023 24h Le Mans Virtual in the GTE class, the team is now looking to celebrate its next success in ESL R1.
Full driver line up of R8G Esports in ESL R1:
- Marcell Csincsik
- Risto Kappet
- Erhan Jajovski
- Jiri Toman
- Timotey Andonovski (support driver)
- Thibault Cazaubon (support driver)
- Car: Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo
MOUZ
Formerly known as mousesports, MOUZ has been competing in esports across multiple genres since 2002. However, it took the German organisation 21 years to finally make their way into sim racing. They aren’t planning on things by halves, presenting a promising line up with well-known names from professional sim racing.
Full line up of MOUZ at ESL R1:
- Max Benecke
- Moritz Löhner
- Patrik Holzmann
- Yuri Kasdorp
- Car: Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II
Team Redline
Team Redline was formed in 2000. Since then, it has become one of the most successful organisations in sim racing. As recently as January, they added another trophy to their cabinet by winning the 2023 Le Mans Virtual. Now, they are hoping to dominate in Rennsport and ESL R1.
Full driver line up of Team Redline at ESL R1:
- Kevin Siggy
- Enzo Bonito
- Luke Bennett
- Jeffrey Rietveld
- Car: BMW M4 GT3
Porsche Coanda Esports Racing
ESL R1 doesn’t only consist of esports organisations. Real-world car manufacturers will also send their own teams to fight for the title. One such team is Porsche, which is teaming up with veteran sim racing outfit Coanda. Porsche is sending four works drivers, each of whom is decorated with multiple sim racing honours.
Full line up of Porsche Coanda Esports Racing at ESL R1:
- Joshua Rogers
- Dayne Warren
- Mitchell deJong
- Mack Bakkum
- Car: Porsche 911 GT3 R
BMW M BS+Competition
The next car manufacturer to enter ESL R1 is BMW. The team will be led by the former DTM Champion Bruno Spengler. With all his experience, the Canadian will be aiming to help his four drivers to win the trophy.
Full line up of BMW M in ESL R1:
- Rainer Talvar
- Nils Naujoks
- Phil Denes
- Ryan Barneveld
- Bruno Spengler (team captain)
- Car: BMW M4 GT3
Mercedes AMG Petronas Esports Team
Mercedes has been a force in real-world racing wherever they have competed. In 2021, the German manufacturer also won the team championship in F1 Esports. Now, Mercedes is looking to continue their success. Among their team is World’s Fastest Gamer James Baldwin.
Full line up of Mercedes AMG Petronas Esports Team at ESL R1:
- Marko Pejic
- James Baldwin
- Bono Huis
- Graham Carroll
- Car: Mercedes AMG GT3
Apex Racing Team
Just having won the 24 Hours of Daytona in iRacing two weeks ago, Apex Racing Team is aiming to take the momentum into ESL R1. With Jamie Fluke and Yohann Harth, two drivers from the successful Daytona squad will also be on the attack in Katowice.
Full line up of Apex Racing Team at ESL R1:
- Peter Berryman
- Yohann Harth
- Kevin Ellis Jr.
- Jamie Fluke
- Car: Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II
Williams Esports AMG Motorsport
Williams is one of the biggest names in racing, and they are the team rounding out the ESL R1 grid. With all their experience and knowledge in real and virtual racing, Williams always has to be listed among the favourites in any competition.
Full line up of Williams Esports at ESL R1:
- Dennis Schöninger
- Dáire McCormack
- Kuba Brzezinski
- Nikodem Wisniewski
- Car: Mercedes AMG GT3
Who is your favourite team at the ESL R1 Spring Season? Let us know by tweeting @OverTake_gg or leave a comment down below!
