Ismael Fahssi wins opening round of 2025 F1 Sim Racing World Championship for Williams

Williams Esports driver Ismael Fahssi triumphed in the season-opening round of the 2025 F1 Sim Racing World Championship on Tuesday night, making a dramatic last-lap move for victory.

Fahssi started on pole position and featured at the front throughout the 29-lap virtual race around Australian Grand Prix venue Albert Park, but a host of rival drivers made his life difficult.

LIVESTREAM: Watch all the action from Round 2 of the 2025 F1 Sim Racing World Championship

With overtakes aplenty from start to finish, Fahssi ultimately came home in P1 thanks to a thrilling, well-timed pass on Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports Team racer Dani Bereznay during the final tour, while Istvan Puki also jumped his team mate for second.

Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing’s Jarno Opmeer crossed the line fourth, with Aston Martin Aramco F1 Esports Team’s Otis Lawrence and KICK F1 Sim Racing Team’s Thomas Ronhaar rounding out the top-six positions.

Round 2 of the 2025 F1 Sim Racing World Championship will be held on Wednesday, as the drivers take on the Shanghai International Circuit in China. Qualifying starts at 1100 UTC, with the race getting underway at 1400 UTC.