2025 F1 Sim Racing Championship: McLaren Shadow

The 2025 F1 Sim Racing World Championship is about to begin, McLaren Shadow aim for the top with a strong lineup.

The highly anticipated 2025 F1 Sim Racing World Championship is about to begin, featuring four action-packed rounds across iconic virtual circuits. The McLaren Shadow drivers of Lucas Blakeley, Alfie Butcher and Wilson Hughes will represent their team.

Race Schedule

Australia – Tuesday, January 14

The championship begins at the challenging Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne.

Qualifying: 18:15 CEST / 17:15 MTC
Race: 21:30 CEST / 20:30 MTC

China – Wednesday, January 15

The action moves to the technical Shanghai International Circuit.

Qualifying: 12:15 CEST / 11:15 MTC
Race: 15:15 CEST / 14:15 MTC

Bahrain – Wednesday, January 15

Later the same day, drivers take on the Bahrain International Circuit.

Qualifying: 18:15 CEST / 17:15 MTC
Race: 21:15 CEST / 20:15 MTC

Saudi Arabia – Thursday, January 16

The event concludes at the fast-paced Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

Qualifying: 18:15 CEST / 17:15 MTC
Race: 21:30 CEST / 20:30 MTC

What the Team and Drivers Had to Say

Lucas Blakeley #88

I’m really looking forward to the start of the 2025 F1 Sim Racing Championship, it feels great to be competing again. The first four rounds of the season will be an intense few days with lots of strong competition.

“It’s exciting to be racing the Albert Park Circuit with its return to the calendar, it will be interesting to see how the race unfolds there with plenty of DRS zones. Bahrain is a personal favourite of mine. I have always enjoyed racing the circuit and have had some success in the past which I’ll be looking to repeat this year.

We’ve worked hard in the off season, and it will be great to have all the team together with the aim of achieving the best results possible at the first event to set ourselves in the right direction for rest of the season.

Alfie Butcher #41

This will be my first season in papaya so I’m especially excited to be making my debut with the team. Preparations for the 2025 F1 Sim Racing Championship have been going well, and I can’t wait to get out on track this week.

The hard work in the off-season has been intense with the nature of racing four tracks across three days at Event One but we feel confident. Australia will be interesting as it returns to the calendar this season. China and Bahrain should also provide exciting racing with plenty of overtaking opportunities.

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit will be a busy race as with any street circuit, so we’ll make sure we’re on our toes throughout the event to finish strong and bring home big results for the team.

Wilson Hughes #12

It’s mega to be back racing as we head into Event One, the four tracks across three days should make a really competitive format.

Albert Park is a really cool season opener and to have a track like that return to the calendar should make for exciting racing on day one. China is also a great circuit to drive, so I know a lot of drivers will be looking forward to that one also returning this year.

We’ve been putting the hard work in throughout the off-season to make sure we are fully prepared for the event and the whole team has been putting in the hours at MTC to put on a good show for our incredible supporters!

Joel Chapman, Team Manager

I’m hugely looking forward to the upcoming F1 Sim Racing Championship. We have a fantastic driver line-up which blends the experience of championship winning drivers in Lucas Blakeley and Wilson Hughes alongside the exciting talent of Alfie Butcher who is a proven race winner.

The season looks to be fiercely competitive with all teams bolstering their line-ups across the grid. I can’t wait to get going with the group as we represent papaya in Sweden again this year. The whole team have worked exceptionally well in the off-season, and we are well prepared to hit the track and go racing again.

How to Watch

Don’t miss any of the action! You can catch all races live on: