Lauded rFactor 2 specialist Jernej Simončič has taken home the Sim Formula Europe title for 2024, by dominating the Dutch LAN competition.
Images: SIm Formula Europe/RaceDepartment
Following online qualifying rounds, eight sim racers made it to the MECC exhibition centre for the title-deciding Super-Final at the Sim Formula Europe event. A share in a €10,000 prize pool was on the line, plus a GRID Engineering Porsche 911 RSR wheel for the overall victor.
The platform in use was the venerable rFactor 2, each driver in an identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) car and the circuit a specially constructed layout based on the real-world streets of Maastricht – the Roman town hosting the event.
The format included two races, preceded by a qualifying session. 2021 GT Pro Series champion Jernej Simončič claimed the pole position and three bonus points for the Slovenian’s campaign.
As the lights went out, Pejic went backwards, a tardy start sending him to the back of the field. The Croatian entrant would then collide with Dawid Mroczek as the competitors headed into the tunnel for the first time.
René Buttler and Cameron Rodger commentate Sim Formula Europe Super-Final 2024. Image: RaceDepartment
Simončič, now fourth, was under pressure in the early stages from both 2022 Le Mans Virtual Challenge winner Remi Delorme and Collin Spork but held on.
Up front, Cazaubon made the move on colleague Kappet for the lead into the Corkscrew. From there the status quo remained, and Romain Grosjean’s outfit took how a one-two finish in the sprint. RaceRoom and rFactor 2 expert Fiduci claimed third with Simončič fourth.
From the standing start, Fiduci launched into the lead ahead of pole-sitter Simončič, with Delorme once again challenging in third – although soon superseded by Cazaubon.
Funnelling into the first corner, Kappet and Pejic collided. While both continued, the former dropped to the back.
Image: Sim Formula Europe
The leaders were close, and making most of the slipstream through the tunnel, as the drivers entered the light, Simončič sneaked by Fiduci for the lead on the second lap. Fiduci would slip down to third 10 minutes later, as Cazaubon towed ahead.
With all the battling behind, Simončič has disappeared up front, winning the race and taking the title. Cazaubon finished second, with Pejic nipping third after getting by his team-mate during the race’s final third.
“I dedicate this victory to all of the good memories and friends from Burst Esports, my old esports team that [recently] closed down,” said Simončic.
“What an awesome event and an awesome result.”
Jernej Simončič winning Sim Formula Europe Super-Final 2024
Images: SIm Formula Europe/RaceDepartment
Following online qualifying rounds, eight sim racers made it to the MECC exhibition centre for the title-deciding Super-Final at the Sim Formula Europe event. A share in a €10,000 prize pool was on the line, plus a GRID Engineering Porsche 911 RSR wheel for the overall victor.
The platform in use was the venerable rFactor 2, each driver in an identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) car and the circuit a specially constructed layout based on the real-world streets of Maastricht – the Roman town hosting the event.
The format included two races, preceded by a qualifying session. 2021 GT Pro Series champion Jernej Simončič claimed the pole position and three bonus points for the Slovenian’s campaign.
Qualifying and Sprint Race
However, for the first (sprint) race, the top five positions from the session were reversed, meaning Risto Kappet would line up first for the 15-minute affair, ahead of R8G Esports team-mate Thibault Cazaubon, followed by Veloce cohort Marko Pejic and Gianmarco Fiduci.As the lights went out, Pejic went backwards, a tardy start sending him to the back of the field. The Croatian entrant would then collide with Dawid Mroczek as the competitors headed into the tunnel for the first time.
Simončič, now fourth, was under pressure in the early stages from both 2022 Le Mans Virtual Challenge winner Remi Delorme and Collin Spork but held on.
Up front, Cazaubon made the move on colleague Kappet for the lead into the Corkscrew. From there the status quo remained, and Romain Grosjean’s outfit took how a one-two finish in the sprint. RaceRoom and rFactor 2 expert Fiduci claimed third with Simončič fourth.
Finale
Heading into the final 30-minute race of the competition, Cazaubon headed the points table with 20, but three drivers were within three points of the top.From the standing start, Fiduci launched into the lead ahead of pole-sitter Simončič, with Delorme once again challenging in third – although soon superseded by Cazaubon.
Funnelling into the first corner, Kappet and Pejic collided. While both continued, the former dropped to the back.
The leaders were close, and making most of the slipstream through the tunnel, as the drivers entered the light, Simončič sneaked by Fiduci for the lead on the second lap. Fiduci would slip down to third 10 minutes later, as Cazaubon towed ahead.
With all the battling behind, Simončič has disappeared up front, winning the race and taking the title. Cazaubon finished second, with Pejic nipping third after getting by his team-mate during the race’s final third.
“I dedicate this victory to all of the good memories and friends from Burst Esports, my old esports team that [recently] closed down,” said Simončic.
“What an awesome event and an awesome result.”
Sim Formula Europe Super-Final 2024 results
- Jernej Simončič – Independent – 52pts
- Thibault Cazaubon – R8G Esports – 50pts
- Gianmarco Fiduci – Veloce Esports – 44pts
- Marko Pejic – Veloce Esports – 29pts
- Remi Delorme – CMT GOTeam Racing – 28pts
- Risto Kappet – R8G Esports – 28pts
- Dawid Mroczek – Independent – 19pts
- Collin Spork – Race Clutch – 18pts
