Fanatec Esports GT Pro Series at Monza: Schedule and How to Watch (April 2021)

The Fanatec Esports GT Pro Series looks set to herald a new era for sim racing at Monza.

SRO Motorsports Group is preparing to open a new chapter in competitive sim racing this weekend at Monza, where 24 Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS drivers and teams will battle for real-world points in the first Fanatec Esports GT Pro Series event.

Saturday evening's one-hour race, staged in Assetto Corsa Competizione at the purpose-built Fanatec Arena inside Monza's paddock, is set to take its place in history as the first fully integrated crossover between virtual and real competition in motorsport.

Pro and Silver class podium finishers will receive one, two or three points toward their real-world Overall Teams' Championship totals, meaning there are 15 points available from the five rounds of 2021. It therefore stands out as a genuine situation in which, for the first time in motorsport history, virtual results will determine the outcome of a real-world championship.

Who Will Race in the Fanatec GT World Challenge?

The Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS hosts the world's best GT drivers.

Maro Engel (Haupt Racing Team, Mercedes-AMG), Matt Campbell (GPX Racing, Porsche), Kelvin van der Linde (Team WRT, Audi), Ben Barnicoat (JOTA, McLaren), Nicklas Nielsen (Iron Lynx, Ferrari) and Mirko Bortolotti (Orange 1 FFF Racing Team, Lamborghini) are just a few of the factory stars nominated at Monza, where Silver class drivers have an equal chance of fighting for the overall results.

Who Are the Favorites in the Fanatec GT World Challenge?

On paper, Ricardo Sanchez looks like the favorite for Round 1. After all, the Mexican owes the honor of joining a real-world career to winning the virtual GT Academy title in 2014, which resulted in a NISMO GT3 prize drive. The Silver class hotshot, who now represents Haupt Racing and Mercedes-AMG, will be near the front on Saturday.

Based on their performances in 2020's SRO Esports GT Series, we can say that Barnicoat, Ezequiel Companc (Madpanda Motorsport, Mercedes-AMG) and Arthur Rougier (Emil Frey Racing, Lamborghini) are also among the favorites.

General Information About the Race

One driver per Pro and Silver Cup team who races in Sunday's real three-hour race will also take part in Saturday evening's qualifying session and the 60-minute Fanatec Esports GT Pro Series race. Before Friday's practice session, each of the 24 representatives will be assigned a Fanatec rig, which they can set up using data provided by the official SRO Esports partner Coach Dave Academy throughout the season, or according to their own preferences. They will also have to use the same manufacturer their team races with in real life.

Each driver must make one mandatory pit stop between the 25th and 35th minutes. Changing tires is optional, but at least one liter of fuel must be added. For Round 2, which will take place at Circuit Paul Ricard on May 29, Success Ballast will be applied to the top three finishers in both classes, ranked at 30kg, 15kg and 10kg (ballast is weight added to a race car to change its performance).

AK Informatica, SRO Esports' official technical partner, will review incidents and apply penalties if necessary, and will also publish all official results and post-race points.

Where Can I Watch the Fanatec GT World Challenge?

You can follow the race live this Saturday with David Addison and Ben Constanduros on SRO's Twitch, YouTube and Facebook accounts and on the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS website.

What Time Is FANATEC ESPORTS GT PRO?

Friday, April 16 11:00 - 20:00 TRT: Free practice (maximum two hours per driver)

Saturday, April 17 18:45 - 19:15 TRT: Warm-up 19:20 - 19:40 TRT: Qualifying 19:55 - 20:55 TRT: Race (live broadcast at 18:40 TRT)

Those who missed it can watch a replay of Saturday's live broadcast by clicking the YouTube link below.