The Victorian Virtual Grand Prix has been announced as a new student esports tournament, thanks to a partnership between the Australian Esports League and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. The initiative gives school students across Victoria the chance to compete in sim racing, with the top drivers winning a trip to the Australian Grand Prix, the opening round of this year’s Formula One season.
For students who love both gaming and motorsport, this is not just another online bracket. It is a direct pathway from classroom competition to one of Australia’s biggest sporting events.
How The Victorian Virtual Grand Prix Works
The Victorian Virtual Grand Prix features two separate pathways, designed to cater to both primary and secondary school students.
For younger competitors aged 10 to 12, the action takes place in person at Kingsville Primary School on February 28. From there, the top four drivers will advance to the Grand Prix Finals on March 5.
Secondary school students in Years 7 to 12 will battle it out in online qualifiers using F1 24 on PC and Xbox. The 12 fastest drivers from those qualifiers will secure a place at the Grand Prix Finals, joining the top primary school competitors.
Entry to the tournament costs $25 AUD, keeping it relatively accessible for students while still offering a high-profile reward.
Grand Prix Finals At Albert Park’s Innovation Hub
The Grand Prix Finals will take place at the Innovation Hub inside Melbourne’s iconic Albert Park Circuit. That location alone adds a layer of authenticity, with finalists competing within the same venue that hosts the real-world Formula One event.
Finalists will receive free one-day entry to the Australian Grand Prix alongside one parent, effectively turning competitive gaming into a live motorsport experience. The remaining 16 drivers at the Finals will compete on high-end sim racing rigs built to deliver a fully immersive setup, bringing them closer to real-world driving conditions.
HyperX Backs The Student Esports Initiative
The tournament also has hardware support from HyperX, which partnered with the Australian Esports League in December 2025.
HyperX will provide prizes for the top three drivers. The winner walks away with a headset, gaming mouse, gaming monitor, and a custom trophy, giving the event a tangible reward beyond just bragging rights and Grand Prix tickets.
Sim Racing’s Growing Role In Australian Motorsport
Sim racing has increasingly become a recognised engagement tool in Australia, often positioned as a stepping stone towards real-world motorsport.
In January, Motorsport Australia extended its partnership with Next Level Racing to continue supporting esports initiatives tied to the governing body. That move reinforced the idea that competitive sim racing is no longer just casual gaming, it is part of a broader motorsport ecosystem.
By teaming up with the organisers of the Australian Grand Prix, the Australian Esports League is effectively placing student competitors within that same ecosystem. For Victorian students, it offers structured competition, exposure to professional-level equipment, and the chance to experience the atmosphere of a Formula One weekend first-hand.
With the Formula One season opener drawing global attention to Melbourne, the Victorian Virtual Grand Prix adds a grassroots esports layer to the spectacle, blending school competition, sim racing culture, and world-class motorsport into one event.