Czech Sim Racing Talent Jan Haladej Joins Aston Martin's F1 Esports Team

Haladej becomes the third Czech driver to compete in the prestigious F1 Sim Racing World Championship.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:10pm

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Jan Haladej, representing the Tomáš Enge Simracing (TES) team, has secured a coveted spot with the Aston Martin Aramco Esports team, becoming only the third Czech driver to compete in the F1 Sim Racing World Championship. This marks a significant milestone for the young racer and a testament to the growing strength of the Czech sim racing scene.

Why it matters

Sim racing has exploded in popularity in recent years, offering a pathway for talented virtual racers to gain recognition and potentially transition to real-world motorsport. Haladej's journey exemplifies this trend, moving from the TES development program to a full-time race seat with a prominent F1 team, showcasing the rising prominence of Czech talent in the esports arena.

The details

The F1 Sim Racing Championship is known for its intense competition, drawing racers from around the globe. Haladej will face a challenging schedule of events, with the first races taking place from March 27-29 in Birmingham, UK, on virtual tracks in China, Japan, and Bahrain. Each event will consist of three races, demanding consistency and skill from all competitors. Haladej will be joined by Duncan Hofland and Rubén Pedreño, completing Aston Martin Aramco Esports' driver lineup for the 2026 season.

  • The first event will be held in Birmingham, UK, from March 27-29, 2026.
  • The races will take place on virtual tracks in China, Japan, and Bahrain.

The players

Jan Haladej

A young Czech sim racer who has secured a spot with the Aston Martin Aramco Esports team, becoming the third Czech driver to compete in the F1 Sim Racing World Championship.

Tomáš Enge

The owner of Tomáš Enge Simracing (TES) and a former Formula 1 driver, who has emphasized the team's goal of showcasing Czech talent on the global stage.

Duncan Hofland

A driver who remains with the Aston Martin Aramco Esports team for the 2026 season.

Rubén Pedreño

A driver who completes the Aston Martin Aramco Esports' driver lineup for the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“Seeing Honza in the colors of Aston Martin is a great moment and a huge satisfaction.”

— Tomáš Enge, Owner, Tomáš Enge Simracing

“It's a dream come true that I still can't quite believe. The opportunity to represent Aston Martin in the official F1 esports championship is the ultimate goal for any sim racer.”

— Jan Haladej

What’s next

The first races of the F1 Sim Racing Championship will take place from March 27-29 in Birmingham, UK, on virtual tracks in China, Japan, and Bahrain.

The takeaway

Haladej's achievement highlights the growing prominence of Czech talent in the esports arena, as the country continues to establish itself as a breeding ground for skilled sim racers. The opportunity to represent a prestigious F1 team like Aston Martin in the official esports championship is a testament to the hard work and dedication of these virtual racers.