The preview of the 4th Challenge: Imola

He is on his way to the title: Janik Pletscher is only 17 years old and is already competitive in simracing. Last year he discovered the Racing Unleashed Championship for himself, took part from race four onwards, learned and is racing for the title in 2023. Ahead of the fourth race of the season in Imola, he leads the Challenger League by eleven points over Nico Fahland.

"My goal is definitely to become champion, but there is still a long way to go until then," he reveals. Seven races are currently still to come. With success in the Challenger League, he would move up to the Racer League. In this class, unlike in the Challenger, the drivers no longer have any driving aids such as ABS and traction control. He is confident of making the switch. "Apart from my simulator rides in Racing Unleashed, I'm at home a lot in iRacing. That's where I gain a lot of experience with driving without assists."

If the lap times are anything to go by, he could already occupy a Racer League cockpit this year. Pletscher: "In Imola, I'm currently one tenth of a second off the Racer League best time and I know where I can still get that out." The performance is impressive. After all, the Racer League includes eSports pros like Alejandro Sanchez and Michal Smidl. The latter is a three-time Racing Unleashed champion and competes in eSports events for Team Redline, the same team Max Verstappen competes for during his time off from Formula 1.

One day, Pletscher also wants to step on the gas in a real racing car. "My dream is to become a real racing driver. Which racing series it should end up being doesn't really matter." He works meticulously for his goal. A setback in his career has made the Zurich native even stronger. "A few years ago, I was part of the under-14 team of FC Schaffhausen. It was only by a very narrow margin that I didn't make it for the higher team."

He has long since wiped away the tears of disappointment that flowed. "That was very hard, but since then I've been working much harder on myself," says the former left-winger of the Swiss second-division club's junior team, who now outpaces the competition on the track. Whether it's football or simracing, his family is by his side. Mother, father and grandpa follow the races directly behind his simulator, cheer him on and capture the special moments on camera.

In Imola, Pletscher, who went from being a Playstation hobby racer with F1 games and Gran Turismo to a simracer, wants to extend his championship lead over Fahland. Due to the reversed grid in the qualifying race, he has to start the championship rounds as the leader from the very back. Sanchez is currently in the same position, leading the Racer League standings by 20 points. The closest pursuers in this class are Christoph Holstein, David Cid and Michal Smidl.

Welcome to Imola!
Our virtual cars have safely made the 80-kilometre trip from Mugello and we are looking forward to another weekend of racing action in the picturesque surroundings of Emilia-Romagna.

The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is characterised by a multitude of technically demanding curves that require precise handling. From fast, smooth bends to tight chicanes, drivers must masterfully use their driving skills to find the perfect line and gain valuable time. In addition, Imola's hilly topography challenges pilots its demanding climbs and descents that make braking and accelerating on the track a true art.

Every single corner on the Imola circuit has its own character and presents drivers with unique challenges. From the infamous Tamburello bend to the twisty Alta variant and the treacherous Acque Minerali, the corner profiles demand the highest levels of driving skills.

The Imola circuit is thus a masterful composition of technical refinements, challenging topography and individual curve profiles. It will once again demand everything from the riders and offer the spectators an unforgettable racing atmosphere.

After Alejandro Sanchez made a furious comeback the weekend before last, his closest competitors Holstein, Cid and last year's overall winner Smidl will be looking to catch up with the Spaniard again, but the top quartet will have to fight their way to the front from the back of the grid in the KnockOut Qualifying. Tune in and enjoy as the drivers show off their skills and entertain you with some fantastic racing!
As always, the Challenger League livestream starts at 19:00 on Friday evening and the Racer League broadcast starts at 10:30 on Saturday.