Racing Unleashed Racer League 2024/25 review: Šmídl claims fifth title without winning a race

Janik Pletscher, Coque López, Enrique Maranon, Alejandro Sánchez and Angelo Michel – spot the missing name in that list.

Each of these five drivers won at least a round of the 2025 Racing Unleashed Racer league, and in the case of Sánchez, two and López, a staggering three. But the champion, for a fifth time no less, Michal Šmídl, didn’t win once.

A model of consistency, the Czech driver made the most of this season’s race format. The first round of the season featured single-lap qualifying to set the grid, then the second a partially reversed grid based on championship standings. The third reverted back to one-lap qualifying, the fourth a reverse grid and so on for the season.

Šmídl was a master of fighting back through in the reverse grid rounds, avoiding drama and keeping it clean – the approach delivered consistent finishes. His worst result of the season was sixth, and that came in the frenetic season finale. Every other result was fifth or higher, scoring five podiums in eight races.

Not that he wasn’t quick, too, far from it. In fact, in the early season happenings, he was only just bested by Sánchez. The two scored a one-two in the first and third rounds, and it looked like the Spaniard would take the challenge all season long.

Unfortunately for the Apex Racing Team driver, a mid-season slump (after being caught up in several reverse grid melees) put paid to any real shot at the title come Race 8 – although mathematically, he was still in with a shout.

A third-place finish, however, was not enough to secure a second Racing Unleashed crown to go with 2021’s triumph.

The third title protagonist was Sánchez’s compatriot, Coque López. Perhaps best known for his title-winning exploits in Gran Turismo, he took a step back from the Sony title this year. After a shaky start to the season – ninth, fourth and a no-score were nothing to write home about – the TC Esports member found a rich vein of form to win races 4, 5 and 7.

He, too, would enter the final round with a title chance and was closer to the eventual champion than Sánchez. However, a scrappy final race including a penalty, plus a solid result from Šmídl meant a third spot in the standings – still a superb result.

“I’ve never been happier with a P7 finish in a race than I am now”, said Šmídl after the final round, now a quintuple champion.

“I’ve got 17 years of experience, which is kind of insane. I liked every moment on the track here this whole season.”

In the supporting Challenger League, for slower cars, Salva Talens was utterly dominant, taking home not just the top CHF 3,000 prize, but a route into the Racer League for next season.

The Racing Unleashed Esports Series has a unique perspective, being held across the company’s virtual racing lounges. The motion rigs and live broadcast combined to deliver a thrilling competition that went down to the wire. Here’s to next season…

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

1. Michal Šmídl – 117 pts
2. Alejandro Sánchez – 99 pts
3. Coque López – 96 pts
4. Enrique Maranon – 82 pts
5. Siro Zambra – 79 pts
6. Janik Pletscher – 77 pts
7. Angelo Michel – 72 pts
8. Vojtech Polesny – 71 pts
9. Sebastian Hirsch – 60 pts
10. Christoph Holstein – 30 pts

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

1. Salva Talens – 114 pts
2. Mario Stanic – 83 pts
3. Unai Maroto – 84 pts
4. Guzman Miguelez – 76 pts
5. Nikolaj Rogivue – 68 pts
6. Adrian Gomez – 67 pts
7. David Wüthrich – 65 pts
8. Tim Potzmader – 60 pts
9. Melvin Leuppi – 50 pts
10. Timothy Sperisen – 49 pts