This is just the beginning.

The simracers are taking a well-earned break. Competitors in the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup Contender Series have had an exhausting six weeks.

The very first lap at the Hockenheimring was a show of strength. At the Motodrom, Dino Lombardi and Gianni Vecchio revealed that they would do anything to secure one of the 15 places for the PESC 2022. Apparently, they completed countless training laps on the virtual circuit in Baden-Württemberg, achieving phenomenal times on the tarmac.

The two Germans also performed well in lap two. They were among those drivers who, mathematically speaking, were ranked 15th or higher at an early enough stage to secure their place on the starting grid. Meanwhile, the battle on the track, namely the rivalry between those drivers lying in the middle of the field, increased race after race. They all had the proverbial bit between their teeth. Which was hardly surprising, because for the drivers, it was all about competing in a simracing series with one of the greatest prize funds.

This first became apparent at the Red Bull Ring, where we frequently witnessed duels between drivers, braking points became later and later and drivers entered the bends in twos and threes. A week later, at Road Atlanta, contacts and twists became commonplace. And in the penultimate race, which ironically – or perhaps very cleverly planned – took place in the tight bends of the Long Beach Street Circuit, we saw some of the most serious collisions in the PESC history. Yet despite all the virtual crumpled metal, there were always a few drivers who remained unscathed or benefited from the chaos. Usually those drivers who also demonstrated their impressive skills in other ways. Making them ideal candidates for the coming season.

There was a reason why the livestream viewers regularly included names such as Josh Rogers and Sebastian Job: they wanted to know exactly who they would be facing next year when the 992 generation 911 GT3 Cup cars will be used for the first time. One thing they are sure to have witnessed is tough competition. Ideal conditions for a thrilling, adrenaline-fuelled season that is due to start on 5 February 2022. We're already counting the days.