F1 Esports champion becomes real-world instructor at Silverstone

A two-time Formula One Sim Racing World Champion has secured a role at one of British motorsport’s most established venues.

F1 Esports competitor Brendon Leigh will work as a driver instructor at Silverstone as part of its Drive Silverstone programme.

Leigh, who won the Formula One Sim Racing World Championship in 2017 and 2018, will now coach drivers at Silverstone Circuit, which hosts the British Grand Prix and staged the first Formula One World Championship.

The circuit remains a permanent fixture on the Formula One calendar and is widely recognised as one of the sport’s most historic venues. The track also offers year-round driving experiences and training sessions through programmes such as Drive Silverstone.

Through the Drive Silverstone experience, participants receive professional coaching while driving high-performance cars on the same track used by Formula One stars.

Sharing the news on social media, Leigh described the opportunity as something he would have “never imagined” during his early days racing from his bedroom.

He said: “Coming from playing sims in my bedroom to having the opportunity to work for Silverstone circuit is something I would have never imagined back in the day. With that being said, I’ve got a lot to learn, so I will be engaging myself 120% towards learning every aspect of the coaching and instructing role at Silverstone.”

According to the F1 Esports website, Leigh began competing online in 2012. He claimed back-to-back world titles in 2017 and 2018, establishing himself as one of the discipline’s most successful players. 

His back-to-back titles came during a period when Formula One was expanding its official esports platform, which increased the visibility of sim racing within the wider motorsport landscape and formalised links between teams and the digital competition.

Leigh’s move into real-world instruction highlights the growing overlap between virtual and physical motorsport.

For years, professional drivers have used simulators as training tools. Leigh’s appointment represents the reverse pathway, with a sim racing specialist bringing his expertise to the track itself.

Leigh’s transition is therefore significant not only for his personal career but also for the broader perception of sim racing. As esports continues to mature, stories like this — as well as the continued support of governing bodies — illustrate how virtual competition can open doors beyond the screen.