Who Is the Best Sim Racer in the World?
Who Is the Best Sim Racer in the World?
The world of sim racing has grown so large, competitive, and global that naming a single racer as “the best” isn’t easy. But if we judge by championship titles, consistency, adaptability across multiple simulators, and respect from both sim and real-world racing communities, one name rises above all others: James Baldwin.
Nicknamed The World’s Fastest Gamer, Baldwin has earned a legendary reputation not just in sim racing but also in real motorsport—something extremely few sim racers have achieved. Still, he isn’t the only elite driver. Many top-tier sim racers dominate different platforms, from iRacing to Gran Turismo. Below is a full breakdown of who the best sim racers in the world are and what makes them great.
Why James Baldwin Is Often Considered #1
He Won “World’s Fastest Gamer 2”
This global competition searched for the most complete sim driver on Earth. Baldwin won across multiple car types, tracks, and racing disciplines.
Success in Real Racing
Few sim racers successfully transition into real motorsport. Baldwin has:
- Competed in British GT
- Won real-world GT3 races
- Beaten seasoned professional racing drivers
Speed in Multiple Simulators
Baldwin has proven competitive in:
- iRacing
- Assetto Corsa Competizione
- rFactor 2
- Gran Turismo
- F1 Games
Most top racers specialize in one sim—Baldwin is fast in nearly all of them.
Other Top Sim Racers in the World
Because sim racing includes many simulators, “best” depends on which platform you follow. Here are the undisputed elites in different categories.
1. Jarno Opmeer – F1 Esports Legend
- Two-time F1 Esports World Champion
- Incredible consistency and race strategy
2. Kylian Drumont – Gran Turismo Champion
- Gran Turismo Nations Cup Winner
- Known for precision and car control
3. Sebastian Job – iRacing GT and Porsche Cup Specialist
- Porsche Esports Supercup Champion
- Considered one of the most complete racers on iRacing
4. Max Benecke – Highest iRating in History
- Once held the highest iRating ever recorded
- Extraordinary raw pace and qualifying speed
5. David Tonizza (“Tonzilla”) – F1 Esports and GT Ace
- First official F1 Esports World Champion
- Extremely strong in GT racing sims
6. Coanda Simsport Team Drivers
This powerhouse team includes multiple elite racers:
- Josh Rogers
- Mitchell de Jong
- Mack Bakkum
- Tommy Østgaard
They dominate endurance events across iRacing, ACC, and rFactor 2.
7. Enzo Bonito – Iconic Multidisciplinary Talent
- Beat professional Formula E and IndyCar drivers in real cars
- A pioneer in the sim racing scene
Who Is Truly the Best?
The answer depends on how you define “best.” Here are rankings by category:
- Best All-Around Sim Racer: James Baldwin
- Best on iRacing: Sebastian Job or Max Benecke
- Best in F1 Esports: Jarno Opmeer
- Best in Gran Turismo: Kylian Drumont
- Best in ACC: James Baldwin or David Tonizza
- Most Dominant Team: Coanda Simsport
Why “Best Sim Racer” Is Hard to Define
1. Different Sims Require Different Skills
- iRacing rewards precision and racecraft
- ACC focuses on GT3 mastery
- F1 Esports requires perfect consistency and ERS strategy
- Gran Turismo uses unique tire and physics models
2. Raw Speed vs Racecraft vs Consistency
- Some drivers excel in qualifying
- Some dominate long races
- Some are unbeatable in wheel-to-wheel combat
3. Hardware Differences
Performance can vary depending on:
- Wheelbase
- Pedals
- Monitor or VR setup
- Rig stability
My Final Verdict
If the question is, “Who is the best sim racer in the world overall?”, the most complete answer is:
James Baldwin — the most versatile, proven, and widely recognized sim racer today.
But the world of sim racing is massive, and depending on the simulator you follow, your “best in the world” might be entirely different.
My name is Michael “Mick” Carter, and I’m a dedicated sim racing enthusiast with a deep love for motorsport. I first discovered sim racing in 2015 when a friend introduced me to a Logitech G27 and Assetto Corsa—an experience that immediately hooked me. Since then, I’ve gone from basic gear to advanced direct drive setups, VR headsets, and custom racing rigs, constantly refining my driving technique and equipment.
I mainly race in iRacing, ACC, and rFactor 2, focusing on GT3 endurance and open-wheel events. I’m not a professional driver—I’m simply someone who enjoys the craft of racing: learning car behavior, improving lap times, and battling for position with respect and skill.
I share what I’ve learned so others can build setups they enjoy and grow their own passion for sim racing. For me, the joy is in improving, one race at a time.
Owner at SimRacingCockpits.Com
