Maximilian Günther, BMW i Andretti Motorsport

2020.03.16

BMW drivers Maximilian Günther and Colton Herta go up against motorsport stars and professional sim racers.

Maximilian Günther from BMW i Andretti Motorsport and BMW Team RLL driver Colton Herta went up against some of the world’s best professional racing drivers and sim racers at Sunday’s sim racing event “The Race All-Star Esports Battle”. Both drivers confirmed their talent for sim racing in the event, which was organised on the virtual Nürburgring within just a few days by the online motorsport magazine “The Race”. Günther claimed second place in the qualifying race for professional racing drivers, behind Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen. Herta finished in third position. Günther retired from the main race, while Herta secured tenth place.

Read more
Maximilian Günther, BMW i Andretti Motorsport

“Although the event was arranged at such short notice, it was really well organised and was just so much fun. Many thanks to ‘The Race' and rFactor 2”, said Günther. “In the current situation, where it is impossible for real racing events to take place, sim racing is a fantastic opportunity for all of us to stay involved and compete in more races. It is great to compete against other drivers who I would otherwise never meet on the racetrack, and to go up against such unbelievably fast sim racers, who I have a lot of respect for, in this way. I think that we all put on a great show for the fans. I can see myself taking part in more events like this in the future.”

Read more
Maximilian Günther, BMW i Andretti Motorsport

Like the other professional racing drivers, the BMW driving duo had made the decision to take part in “The Race All-Star Esports Battle” at short notice. The Nürburgring Grand Prix circuit was the setting for the three qualification races and the decisive final race on the rFactor2 platform – which also hosts the BMW SIM M2 CS Racing Cup. Günther recorded a great second-place finish in the first qualification race, which was reserved exclusively for professional racing drivers. Only Verstappen was faster. Third place went to Herta, who had won the 24 Hours of Daytona in the BMW M8 GTE in 2019 with the BMW Team RLL. Other professionals taking part included António Félix da Costa, currently heading the Formula E drivers’ standings, former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, as well as IndyCar drivers Felix Rosenqvist and Simon Pagenaud.

Read more

In the main race, the two BMW drivers Günther and Herta put on another strong performance as they battled for top ten positions. Günther had to retire from the race but Herta finished in tenth place. This made him the second-best professional racing driver, behind Rosenqvist. Victory and prize money of 4,000 US dollars were claimed by sim racer Jernej Simoncic.

Read more

Related articles.

BMW Motorsport Website

Preparations of the BMW M Customer Racing teams in unusual times: Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport.

2020.07.03 |
In a new series, we report on what the BMW M Customer Racing teams have been up to in the extended winter break.
Read more
BMW Motorsport Website

Even more BMW power for the Nürburgring Endurance Series: BMW M2 CS Racing now has its own class.

2020.07.03 |
BMW M2 CS Racing continues tradition of production-based BMW entry-level models in the NLS.
Read more
BMW Motorsport Website

Successful maiden BMW Motorsport SIM Racing track day.

2020.07.02 |
BMW Motorsport brings real-life racing and sim racing even closer together.
Read more
BMW Motorsport Website

BMW Team RLL returns to ‘Daytona International Speedway’ for round two of the 2020 IMSA season.

2020.06.30 |
John Edwards, Jesse Krohn, Connor De Phillippi and Bruno Spengler in the cockpits of the two MOTUL BMW M8 GTE cars.
Read more
BMW Motorsport Website

BMW Customer Racing: Highlights of the weekend.

2020.06.29 |
Walkenhorst Motorsport wins season-opener on the Nordschleife.
Read more
BMW Motorsport Website

Ready for its first race outing: BMW Junior Team is set for its Nordschleife debut.

2020.06.17 |
Dan Harper, Max Hesse and Neil Verhagen acquire their permits for the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. BMW Junior Team to make its first race outing at the opening round of the Nürburgring Endurance Series on 27th June.
Read more
Show more