Racing Unleashed Esports: López sets up title-decider with third win

Michal Šmídl remains at the top of the Racing Unleashed Racer League standings, but Coque López has moved to within 14 points of the CHF 10,000 grand prize following a win at Spa-Francorchamps.

Following a one-lap qualifying session, López claimed pole position with title-rival Šmídl down in fourth. Erstwhile leader Alejandro Sánchez (on double-duty this weekend with PESC) returned to form with third on the grid, just behind Siro Zambra.

It was a frenetic start to the 17-lap race, with López fending off a charging Zambra and Sánchez down the Kemmel Straight. However, Sánchez would spin at Les Combes following contact from Zambra, trying to take second, smashing into the barriers and dropping to ninth.

This would prove especially pivotal, as the moment briefly delayed Zambra, and allowed points-leader Šmídl through into second and Bahrain winner Enrique Maranon into third, although the Williams Esports driver fought back a lap later to reclaim a podium spot. 

Angelo Michel was making moves in the first half, first passing Sánchez at the Chicane, and then up to fifth by slipstreaming by Sebastian Hirsch. 

Hirsch wouldn’t settle, however, going all the way around the outside of the fearsome Blanchimont to reclaim a top-five position. It was only temporary, as Michel used push-to-pass to pull away emphatically.

Sánchez would make it back up to sixth by the chequered flag, just enough to keep his championship hopes alive, albeit at 25 points back, it’s a long shot.

Elsewhere, Sinan Demirbas also rotated at Les Combes on the first lap, while Mohamed Ramzy didn’t even make it that far, facing the wrong direction at La Source.

At the front, once López had cleared the first half a lap, no one got close to the driver who recently announced his retirement from Gran Turismo competitions.

Šmídl would cruise to second – not wrapping up the title at this round, but with a healthy cushion heading into the title-deciding final race.

“From the start, I got straight to second gear instead of first, so I thought I was going to get overtaken by everyone… so I had to use a push-to-pass to try and hold on,” said López, who recently joined Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’ TC Esports squad.

Racing Unleashed Challenger Series decided one round early

In the supporting Challenger Series, for less prize money in slower cars, Spain’s Salva Talens wrapped up the crown one round early – such was his dominance, he could have claimed the title even earlier, but a 10th-place finish at Spa was enough to bag the CHF 3,000 prize.

The final round of both competitions is on the 10th May 2025 and will be broadcast live on Racing Unleashed’s YouTube channel.

Racing Unleashed Esports Series 2024/25, Racer League, Race 7 results

1. Coque López
2. Michal Šmídl
3. Enrique Maranon
4. Angelo Michel
5. Alejandro Sánchez
6. Siro Zambra
7. Vojtech Polesny
8. Sebastian Hirsch
9. Janik Pletscher
10. Florian Hasse

Racing Unleashed Esports Series 2024/25, Challenger League, Race 7 results

1. Mario Stanic
2. David Wuethrich
3. Roberto Miguez
4. Melvin Leuppi
5. Tim Potzmader
6. Nikolaj Rogivue
7. Unai Maroto
8. Borja Zazo
9. Ivan Merino
10. Salva Talens

Racing Unleashed Esports Series 2024/25, Racer League, Championship standings after Race 7

1. Michal Šmídl – 109 pts
2. Coque López – 95 pts
3. Alejandro Sánchez – 84 pts
4. Siro Zambra – 73 pts
5. Enrique Maranon – 72 pts
6. Angelo Michel – 70 pts
7. Vojtech Polesny – 59 pts
8. Janik Pletscher – 52 pts
9. Sebastian Hirsch – 42 pts
10. Christoph Holstein – 30 pts

Racing Unleashed Esports Series 2024/25, Challenger League, Championship standings after Race 7

1. Salva Talens – 108 pts
2. Mario Stanic – 81 pts
3. Guzman Miguelez – 76 pts
4. Nikolaj Rogivue – 68 pts
5. David Wüthrich – 61 pts
6. Unai Maroto – 59 pts
7. Adrian Gomez – 52 pts
8. Tim Potzmader – 52 pts
9. Timothy Sperisen – 39 pts
10. Melvin Leuppi – 32 pts