Alpine Sim Racing’s Otis Lawrence has won the 2026 Formula One Sim Racing Drivers’ World Championship, becoming the youngest ever champion.

Following a dramatic season finale on Thursday, May 28, Otis claimed the title by two points.

The championship battle went down to the final event of the year, featuring races in Mexico, São Paulo and Abu Dhabi, where eighteen-year-old Lawrence sealed his crown, finishing fifth at the Yas Marina Circuit after a crucial dramatic overtake in the closing laps on Bari Broumand.

Lawrence was crowned champion by just two points after a sensational campaign which featured three victories, a run of three consecutive pole positions and a series of standout performances across the 12-race season. 

Formula One Sim Racing Champion Otis Lawrence said: “To win the Drivers’ Championship with Alpine Sim Racing is an incredible feeling.

“This season has been so intense from start to finish and the level of competition has been unbelievably high.

“I’m so proud of what we have achieved. A big thank you to the whole team, and Dani and Josh, the spirit and support from everyone has been amazing.

“There are a lot of ups and downs across a 12-race campaign, but after winning that first race in Suzuka, we kept pushing and never gave up.

“To come away with the championship is something we can reflect on with pride.” 

Alongside team-mates Dani Bereznay and Josh Idowu, Alpine Sim Racing also secured the runners-up spot in the Teams’ Championship.

The title-winning season began in spectacular fashion at DreamHack at the NEC in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on 27 – 29 March where the opening event was staged in front of a live audience.

Lawrence immediately made an impression, delivering victory at Suzuka, his first win for Alpine Sim Racing, and the team’s first triumph in F1 Sim Racing since 2020.

The momentum continued across Event 2 on 22/23 April, held at Formula 1’s state-of-the-art Media & Technology Centre in Biggin Hill, UK.

Lawrence underlined his title credentials with three consecutive pole positions at Jeddah, Barcelona and Silverstone, showing exceptional one-lap pace throughout the campaign.

A second-place finish in Jeddah and a commanding wet-weather victory at Silverstone propelled the Welshman to the top of the Drivers’ standings.

At Barcelona, team-mate Josh Idowu secured his maiden F1 Sim Racing podium finish to strengthen Alpine Sim Racing’s position in the Teams’ Championship.

Event 3, starting on May 13, proved to be a defining moment in the title battle. After solid points finishes at Spa and Zandvoort, Alpine Sim Racing delivered its first-ever 1-2 finish in the championship at the Circuit of The Americas.

Lawrence led home veteran team-mate Dani Bereznay in a tactical masterclass to score his third victory of the season and move the team to the top of the standings.

Lawrence ended the season with 156 points, winning the title by two points, with Alpine Sim Racing narrowly missing out on the Teams’ Championship by three points, finishing on 224 in the final classification.

Guy Martin, Global Marketing Director, BWT Alpine Formula One Team said: “Winning the 2026 F1 Sim Racing Drivers’ World Championship is an exceptional achievement.

“A huge congratulations to Otis on what has been an epic season, the youngest ever F1 Sim Racing World Champion.

“The team’s results speak for themselves but it is worth mentioning that the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes is enormous.

“All three drivers, their engineers and Team Manager, Harvey [Partridge] fully deserve credit for an impressive season.

“These results reflect Alpine Formula One Team’s upwards trajectory in all areas.

“Excellence is at the forefront of what we do, and Alpine Sim Racing’s extraordinary result is an important part.”

Whitehaven’s £4.5 million interactive and gaming hub Levels features the YAW Motion VR set up for those that feel inspired by Otis’s victory.

For more information about Levels visit their website here