In a recent interview, Scuderia Ferrari Esports HP racer Nicolas Longuet shared insights into his journey from a young Formula One enthusiast to a leading figure in the world of esports racing.
His path, marked by early passion, dedication, and the discovery of esports, illustrates how dreams can take shape in unexpected ways.
Longuet’s fascination with racing began early, largely influenced by his father, who was a dedicated Formula One fan. “My father always used to watch Formula One and most sports in general, and it always caught my interest,” Longuet recalled.
Despite his deep love for motorsport, he was aware from a young age that real-world racing was financially out of reach. “My dad told me that karting was very expensive and not something that is very accessible for everyone,” he said, reflecting on the limitations that shaped his early expectations.
The turning point came in 2017 when Longuet discovered the F1 Esports Series.
“One day I saw the new F1 Esport that just started in 2017, and I told my dad, ‘Oh my God, that is so cool. I want to try it as well,’” he shared enthusiastically. His father responded with a racing wheel as a Christmas gift, setting Longuet on the path that would eventually lead him to professional esports racing. “That’s why I just started driving and just kind of seeing where I could go—and now I ended up here.”
Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula One World Champion, has also played a significant role in Longuet’s journey. “Lewis has been my idol since I can remember,” Longuet said. “There’s something about him that just always drew me to him. He really inspired me to maybe do the same thing that he could do.”
This admiration translated into motivation for Longuet, who dedicated himself to rigorous training to become the best driver he could be. “I think that’s where I got my motivation from, and that’s where I found that I could keep training for as long and as hard as I could to become the driver that I am today.”
Reflecting on his early career, Longuet recounted his experiences with Red Bull Racing Esports in 2019, where he made a name for himself without even realising it.
“In the moment, I didn’t know I was the youngest or whatever; I had no clue,” he said. “I was just focusing in the moment. I knew my team was in a very good position to fight for the championship, so this was the only race I had that year where I could show the world who I am.”
His dedication paid off with an impressive qualifying and race performance, a moment that he remembers as a personal triumph. “I was very, very happy with myself.”
Longuet also spoke about the intense competitiveness of sim racing, highlighting how the mental aspect is crucial to success.
“Sim racing is 80% mental and 20% physical for sure,” he explained. “We are so competitive, like we’re so close to each other that milliseconds matter, and we are just spending eight, nine hours a day trying to find milliseconds.” The pressure to perform in such a tight field requires not just skill, but also mental resilience. “If you don’t have confidence in yourself, you just have to believe that you’re the fastest and the best on the grid.”
As he looks to the future, Longuet sees potential for sim racers to transition into real-world motorsports, though he acknowledges the challenges ahead.
“We’ve seen a few examples recently with people from sim racing going into real racing. It’s definitely possible, and it’s going to become more and more achievable as time goes on,” he noted.
Despite having some experience in Formula 4 karting, Longuet knows the importance of seizing the right opportunity when it comes.
“Once you get that first opportunity, you have to show what you can do because otherwise, it’s a very competitive environment.”
For aspiring esports drivers, Longuet offered simple yet profound advice: “Learn from others.” He stressed the importance of patience and the willingness to absorb knowledge from those who are faster. “It took me a long, long year to get to the project from when I started,” he said, encouraging young drivers to take their time. “If you just watch people, it’ll just come naturally with time.”
Nicolas Longuet’s journey from a passionate young fan to a top Esports driver with Scuderia Ferrari is a story of dedication, strategic thinking, and the relentless pursuit of a dream.
As he continues to excel, his experiences serve as an inspiration for the next generation of racers who, like him, might find their own paths in the ever-evolving world of esports.