Michael Romanidis, a 20-year-old driver with G2 Esports Racing Prodigy, made history this weekend by winning the annual eROC (virtual Race of Champions) event in Sydney. His victory not only marks a milestone for Romanidis but also for the esports community, as it secures him a spot in the physical Race of Champions, where he will compete against motorsport legends.

The eROC pits top sim racers in a virtual version of the iconic event, which traditionally features elite drivers from Formula 1, World Endurance Championship, rallying, and NASCAR. Romanidis, who began his sim racing career in 2017, has rapidly emerged as one of the sport’s promising talents. His win is significant for G2 Esports, marking the first time a driver from the organization has qualified to race alongside renowned figures such as four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel, Valtteri Bottas, nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb, and former F1 driver David Coulthard.

This development underscores a growing trend in motorsport as virtual and real-world racing converge. Esports platforms have increasingly become incubators for talent, with digital competitions providing a stepping stone into professional racing. The evolution of platforms like Team Liquid’s Liquipedia—now featuring a dedicated Formula racing section—highlights the broader industry trend where traditional sports and esports are finding common ground.

Romanidis’s achievement is being hailed as a turning point for both sim racing and motorsport. As digital competitions continue to gain recognition, the opportunity for emerging drivers to transition from virtual arenas to prestigious real-world events becomes ever more tangible. This win represents not only a personal triumph for Romanidis and G2 Esports but also a sign of the transformative potential of esports in shaping the future of competitive racing.