E-Sports
//////// E-Sports
As a modern and forward-thinking team, MERTEL Motorsport runs its own sim racer team in e-sports series. A novelty: MERTEL Italo Cars is the only Ferrari dealer in Germany to participate in the official Ferrari E-Sports Series. The drivers pilot the current Ferrari 488 Challenge EVO, Ferrari 488 GT3 and the new Ferrari 296 GT3, winning model of the 24h Nürburgring 2023.
E-sport is indeed real racing and driving ability, skills as well as technology and strategy are just as crucial as in real racing. But the overlaps are also important. Or rather, the overlap between virtual and real racing. Increasingly, successful SIM racers are entering real life racing as outstanding competitive new talents.
The MERTEL Motorsport Academy - from SIM racing into the real cockpit - wants to achieve exactly that and thus train and promote successful young Ferrari drivers for real racing.
//////// Sponsoring
Are you also interested in e-sports as a representation platform for your company? We offer you various options or concepts.
Of course, the branding of the cars, the logo insert in the livery - as in real life racing - is a very attentive feature.
But the MERTEL Motorsport E-sports Team can also be part of your company's own events. You want to offer your customers an exciting experience with a lot of fun at a presentation or event - by giving them the opportunity to try out SIM racing themselves? Contact us and we will take care of the guests on site at the simulator, show what is possible with it and "coach" your guests to have the best experience.
Interested?
Get in touch with us: info@mertelmotorsport.com
//////// Definition
What actually is e-sports? In a nutshell: Virtual environment - realistic real competition.
E-sports racing - also known as SIM racing - is virtual racing simulation, but using realistic physics and virtual tracks. Controlling their virtual car with steering wheel and pedals, drivers/players compete against each other in online races.
Racing simulations have become increasingly realistic over the years as technological advances have allowed for more accurate physics, tyre models and track models. Today, e-sports is a distinct and very popular form of motorsport. The races are streamed live and attract many fans.
You can watch an e-sports race of one of our drivers here:
//////// E-Sports Racing Calendar
HOWE Sprint + EnducupSprintPaul Ricard 1h 06.02.25Silverstone 1,5h 20.02.25Kyalami 1h 06.03.25Barcelona 1h 20.03.25Suzuka 1h 03.04.25,Watkins Glen 1,5h 17.04.25Zandvoort 1h 01.05.25Donington Park 1h 15.05.25Indianapolis 1h 29.05.25Nürburgring GP 1,5h 12.06.25
Enducup Misano 6h 15.02.25Red Bull Ring 4h 15.03.25"Nordschleife NBR 24h" 8h 05.04.25
The Coach Dave Delta World Sprint ChampionshipRound 1 - Interlagos - 05.03.2025
Round 2 - Spa - 12.03.2025
Round 3 - Fuji - 19.03.2025
Round 4 - Bahrain - 26.03.2025 (Night Race)
Round 5 - Monza - 02.04.2025
Round 6 - Imola - 16.04.2025
Round 7 - LeMans - 23.04.2025 (Night Race)
Round 8 - Portimao - 30.04.2025
Round 9 - COTA - 07.05.2025
Round 10 - Sebring - 14.05.2025
Onid Abruzzi EnduranceSpa 6h 08.02.25Donington 4h 08.03.25Monza 4h 03.05.25Valencia 6h 07.06.25
EOS WEGT (World Endurance GT Championship)Race 2: Red Bull Ring 8 hours - 01/03/25Race 3: Zolder 6H - 05/04/25Race 4: Bathurst 12 hours - 10/05/25Race 5: Suzuka 10 hours - 07/06/25Race 6: Spa Francorchamps 24 hours (double points) - 05/07/25Race 7: Watkins Glen 8 hours - 26/07/25Race 8: Kyalami 9 hours - 13/09/25Race 9: Imola 8 hours - 11/10/25Race 10: Monza 10 hours - 15/11/25
VMS PRO (Virtual Motorsport Series) GOLD SPLITRace 1: Imola - 06/04/2025Race 2: Fuji - 20/04/2025Race 3: Bahrain - 04/05/2025Race 4: Sebring - 18/05/2025Race 5: Le Mans - 01/06/2025Race 6: Monza - 29/06/2025Race 7: Portimao - 13/07/2025Race 8: Qatar - 27/07/2025Race 9: Spa - 10/08/2025
Das MERTEL Motorsport E-Sports Team plant, an folgenden Serien teilzunehmen:RCI (Racing Club International)SRO IGTC (Intercontinental GT Championship)FERRARI E-Sport ChallengeHOWE Sprint + Enducup
//////// E-Sports News
//////// E-Sports PARTNER
We’re thrilled to join forces with Ascher Racing and our successful E-Sports team.
Ascher Racing is a German manufacturer of Premium SimRacing equipment and is known for its first-class, robust and ergonomic steering wheels, which many motorsport drivers consider to be the best on the market.Ascher Racing develops products with a maximum performance focus that set new standards in both virtual and real motorsport; functionality is always at the centre of development and innovations always serve the purpose of optimally supporting drivers.
Together, we’ll be pushing the boundaries of performance in virtual racing and beyond! 🔥🏁
E-sports TEAM
Robert Tänzer (Rob Spleen)SIMRACING Teammanager
Nation: Germany
Residence: Frankfurt a.M.
Date of birth: 1984
Simulation: ACC, AC, iRacing
Motorsport has fascinated me since I was a child, and this passion is still with me today. In the past, I mainly used consoles and played with a gamepad. But during the lockdown, I tried out my first steering wheel and was immediately hooked. From then on, everything happened quickly: I built myself a DIY rig and put together a high-quality setup.
A lot has changed since then. I’m no longer just a simracer, but also the team manager and coach of our team. This team means a lot to me and I do everything I can to support and develop our drivers in the best possible way.
Thanks to hard work and countless hours on the track, I have gained a lot of experience. At the same time, I am convinced that there is always something new to learn – both on and off the track.
If you have any questions or would like to exchange ideas, please get in touch with me.
Oliver GleißnerTrainer
Nation: Germany
Residence: Erlangen
Date of birth: 1995
Simulation: ACC
Motorsport has always been an issue for me from an early age. From watching Formula 1 with dad to playing all the racing games.
Back then it was just the arcade games that everyone probably played, aka NfS, Grid, Formula 1, etc.
But as I always wanted to race actively, I was looking for something more realistic.
I then came across simracing, which allowed me to satisfy my desire to become a racing driver, at least virtually.
After my ego was initially dampened, the urge to get better was greater than ever, which led to me absorbing and training all the information I could on driving techniques.
In the meantime, I have built up my know-how to such an extent that, in addition to riding, I can also act as a setup engineer and as a trainer/coach in a team.
Markus JanesTrainer
Nation: Germany
Date of birth:
Simulation: ACC
follow me on instagram
markuspixxelhunter
Timi Lehtonen
Mertel Motorsport Academy Driver
Nation: Finland
Residence: Turku
Date of birth: 2002
Simulation: ACC, Raceroom
My name is Timi Lehtonen and I am a Sim driver from Turku. I started sim racing in 2016, but even before that I had played many racing games. It’s always been my dream to be a real racer, but it’s hard to get there, so I thought sim racing would at least be a place to start. My goal in sim rally is to reach the top of real motorsport or sim driving. I take sim racing very seriously and consider it a real career. I always want to compete and be the best at it, and I’m going to work hard to achieve that, whether it’s sim driving or real motorsport.
follow me on instagram
timi_lehtonen
Nico Benzler
Nation: Germany
Residence: Sauerland
Date of birth: 2011
Simulation: ACC
For several years now, sim racing has become an integral part of my free time and I have been playing ACC more or less actively since 2024.
I’ve always been enthusiastic about motorsport, and I’m also active in real life, including karting, car slalom and, in the future, rallycross.
I have been here since midst 2024 and would describe this time as expandable and instructive, as it is also the first time that I am not playing an F1 game in which I am gaining my virtual experience.
Björn Betz
Nation: Germany
Residence: Ahrensburg
Date of birth: 1990
Simulation: ACC
My enthusiasm for racing began as a child with Schumi and Formula 1. I watched every race with my dad – whether it was Australia at 7 a.m. or the races in Hockenheim in the afternoon. My first racing game on the PC was Colin McRae Rally.
Via the F1 games on the Playstation and longer breaks, I then came to ACC at the beginning of 2023 and have been trying to reduce the gap to the best times of the strongest drivers as much as possible ever since.
Marvin Butzin
Nation: Germany
Date of birth: 1998
Simulation: ACC
I love Motorsports since I can think. I grew up with Micheal Schumachers last glory years at Ferrari and since that I love Ferrari and also Motorsports. When I got older I started to play Videogames like F1 and Need for Speed. My first real Simracing title was Project Cars,, I bought a T300 and at this moment I fell in love with Simracing. Over Project Cars 2 I got to Assetto Corsa Competizione and gained a reasonable pace. One day I was looking for a Teammate for a Endurance Race at Spa and then I met Rob, he agreed to do the race with me, I don´t knew him before. One day later I checked his profile at the platform we met and his team affiliation was “MERTEL Motorsport” so I checked the website and I instantly knew: “That is what I want”. After the race, we where happy with the result, I asked him if he could talk to the team responsible. He did and now I´m a proud member of MERTEL Motorsport and I can represent a Team Racing with Ferrari. I´m very ambitious to represent MERTEL Motorsport at the highest level of Simracing Esports and I´m very proud what we already archived together as a team in just one year
Kevin Fehrenbach
Nation: Germany
Date of birth: 1998
Simulation: ACC
I currently live in Villingen-Schwenningen with my family. I have been simracing professionally for some years. I started on the Playstation with Gran Turismo and a steering wheel but I wanted more seriousness and so I moved to the computer and finally to the community and the simulation through which I joined the team. My goal is to make this hobby a steady livelihood.
follow me on instagram
kevin_fehrenbach
Leon Hoppe
Nation: Germany
Residence: Steinfurt
Date of birth: 2000
Simulation: ACC
I’m the type of person who has no idea how he got into simracing.
I never had any interest in motorsport as a kid and I can remember sitting in front of the TV at my grandma’s house around 2005 while an F1 race was on and saying, those aren’t cool cars.
Then at 15 I bought F1 2014 on a whim and less than six months later I had my first steering wheel.
A decade and thousands of hours later, I’m still behind the wheel and have learned to love and live motorsport in the process.
This sport has shown me that my greatest interest is competition and I am confident that I can be a part of that team.
Tim Köster
Nation: Germany
Date of birth: 1988
Simulation: ACC
I started simracing in 2020 when Corona started. I had watched a few streams on Twitch. Then I only drove the PS4 sporadically here and there. I really started in December 2022. My goal is to sit in a racing car “once”. My simracing goal is to make it into the big series (SRO etc.).
Micah Pattusch
Nation: Germany
Residence: Würzburg
Date of birth: 2004
Simulation: ACC
I have always been fascinated by cars since I was little. Together with my father, I often used to attend races at the Nürburgring, Hockenheimring and Norisring and found my love for motorsport more and more. From the DTM to the NLS, WEC and Formula 1, everything that has four wheels and goes fast inspires me. My big dream has always been to drive a race in a real racing car. I’ve been playing racing games since I was a child, starting with Forza Motorsport 3 and 4, then F1 2011, its successors and, since Early Access, ACC.
I’m looking forward to our time together here and hope that we can achieve many successes together.
follow me on instagram
Linus Ruwisch
Nation: Germany
Residence: near Düsseldorf
Date of birth: 2008
Simulation: Assetto Corsa Competizione
I have been taking simracing more seriously for three years and started with ACC at that time. What excites me the most is endurance racing, especially 24-hour races. When I’m not training for the next race, I hop into Assetto Corsa and do a few relaxed laps. Outside of the simracing world, I like mountain biking, preferably downhill.
Emil Vogel
Nation: Germany
Residence: Ronneburg
Date of birth: 2011
Simulation: ACC
Ever since my first time driving a Twinkart with my father, I was enthusiastic about fast cars and motorsport. However, everything quickly faded into the background due to soccer and other things.
However, when I played Gran Tourismo for the first time, I was really enthusiastic again and so I got my first real steering wheel at the beginning of this year.
My ambition quickly got the better of me and so I decided to switch to PC. Through my grandpa, I also rediscovered real motorsport and karting.
In the summer I discovered this wonderful team and since then I’ve been trying to improve every day, which means I already have almost 200 hours in ACC.
follow me on instagram
@eml_vgl
Road Cars
//////// From the racetrack to exciting road rides
Enjoy the power and the Ferrari experience even without the heat of the moment on the race track.
MERTEL Italo Cars Nürnberg is your official FERRARI authorised dealer and service partner.
//////// DRIVING SAFETY TRAINING COURSES
In order to be able to move your Cavallo safely in all possible driving situations, we offer driving safety training.
//////// Ferrari Corso pilota
Ferrari driving courses tailored for you
Corso Pilota Ferrari skilfully combines lifestyle and racing elements to offer participants four very different experiences in terms of difficulty and intensity: CORSO PILOTA SPORT, CORSO PILOTA AVANZATO, CORSO PILOTA EVOLUZIONE and CORSO PILOTA CHALLENGE. Participants start with the Corso Pilota Sport and then gradually progress to the most advanced level, the Corso Pilota Challenge, each course being a requirement for the next.
CORSO LIMITED EDITION, PILOTA FERRARI PERSONAL COACHING programmes and CORSO PILOTA AROUND THE WORLD All courses include lectures, practical activities on the track and analysis of video and telemetry data.
Corso Pilota Ferrari skilfully combines lifestyle and racing elements to offer participants four very different experiences in terms of difficulty and intensity: CORSO PILOTA SPORT, CORSO PILOTA AVANZATO, CORSO PILOTA EVOLUZIONE and CORSO PILOTA CHALLENGE. Participants start with the Corso Pilota Sport and then gradually progress to the most advanced level, the Corso Pilota Challenge, each course being a requirement for the next.
To meet the needs of each individual customer, Ferrari has also introduced three additional programmes: CORSO LIMITED EDITION, PILOTA FERRARI PERSONAL COACHING programmes and CORSO PILOTA AROUND THE WORLD All courses include lectures, practical activities on the track and analysis of video and telemetry data.
In addition, each course includes exciting activities developed by Ferrari staff to ensure that the participants' guests are also well entertained, making the experience memorable for all, whether on or off the track.
In addition, each course includes exciting activities developed by Ferrari staff to ensure that the participants' guests are also well entertained, making the experience memorable for all, whether on or off the track.
/// CORSO PILOTA SPORT
FIRST EMOTIONS ON THE TRACK
The programme’s introductory course takes place at a typical Ferrari venue, the Fiorano (Modena) circuit. Participants first receive an introduction to the techniques of sports driving and then try their hand at driving a Ferrari 296GTB, with the opportunity to drive the impressive SF90 Stradale. An instructor sits in the car with participants and gives useful advice to improve performance lap after lap. The dynamic part of the course includes driving exercises on the track and car control exercises on grippy surfaces.
/// CORSO PILOTA EVOLUZIONE
THE CHALLENGE GETS TOUGHER
The Corso Pilota Evoluzione takes place once a year at the Misano World Circuit (Rimini). The number of participants is limited to a maximum of twenty people, who are divided into five groups of four to enable closer cooperation with the instructors. Participants in the Corso Pilota Evoluzione will receive racing equipment, which includes a suit, gloves and fireproof shoes. This course has a higher level and offers more time on track with the 488 Challenge Evo used in most activities. The course also allows night driving: for the first time, participants will race under floodlights.
/// CORSO PILOTA PERSONAL COACHING
ONE-TO-ONE INSTRUCTION
The Corso Pilota Personal Coaching takes place at the Fiorano (Modena) circuit. It offers eight participants the opportunity to have their own personal instructor as well as drive a 296 GTB and a 488 Challenge EVO on the track. The programme and track sessions are adapted according to the clients’ requirements, driving skills and previous experience.
/// CORSO PILOTA AVANZATO
FOLLOW YOUR PASSION
The second stage of the Corso Pilota Ferrari takes place in Parma, at the Varano de’ Melegari circuit. The groups of participants are smaller than for the Corso Pilota Sport to ensure longer sessions on the track and greater engagement with the instructors. Some of the sessions include lead and follow exercises, where the instructors get in the car to show the participants following them how best to choose the correct driving lines on the track. This is the opportunity for Corso Pilota participants to drive on their own for the first time. The course culminates in a double session on the track with the 488 Challenge Evo, the closed race car used in the Ferrari brand series.
/// CORSO PILOTA CHALLENGE
INSIDE THE LEGEND
Surrounded by the fantastic backdrop of the Vallelunga racetrack near Rome, a maximum of twelve participants, divided into pairs, can immerse themselves in Ferrari’s racing heritage. An instructor is available to each pair. To understand the set-up and electronic controls of the 488 Challenge Evo used on this course, a technical briefing follows the theoretical lectures. On-track activities include rolling-start simulations. Participants will also take part in a competition behind the wheel of a 296 GTB to be the fastest and most skilled at avoiding traffic cones in the paddock. Participants will also receive a free helmet.
/// CORSO PILOTA LIMITED EDITION
WHEN ADRENALINE MEETS EXCLUSIVENESS
The venue and the programme of the Corso Pilota Limited Edition change every year, always maintaining the exclusive character of the course. The number of participants is limited to a maximum of twenty-five. They will have the opportunity to take part in cultural and glamorous activities organised especially for them in the most beautiful places in Italy. In 2022, the Corso Pilota Limited Edition will take place at the Mugello circuit, one of the most attractive, challenging and safe circuits in the world, and in nearby Florence. Unlike the other Ferrari driving courses, the Corso Pilota Limited Edition integrates either the Sport and Avanzato or Avanzato and Evoluzione levels, but is not a substitute for the Corso Pilota Challenge.
/// CORSO PILOTA SPORT
FIRST EMOTIONS ON THE TRACK
The programme’s introductory course takes place at a typical Ferrari venue, the Fiorano (Modena) circuit. Participants first receive an introduction to the techniques of sports driving and then try their hand at driving a Ferrari 296GTB, with the opportunity to drive the impressive SF90 Stradale. An instructor sits in the car with participants and gives useful advice to improve performance lap after lap. The dynamic part of the course includes driving exercises on the track and car control exercises on grippy surfaces.
/// CORSO PILOTA AVANZATO
FOLLOW YOUR PASSION
The second stage of the Corso Pilota Ferrari takes place in Parma, at the Varano de’ Melegari circuit. The groups of participants are smaller than for the Corso Pilota Sport to ensure longer sessions on the track and greater engagement with the instructors. Some of the sessions include lead and follow exercises, where the instructors get in the car to show the participants following them how best to choose the correct driving lines on the track. This is the opportunity for Corso Pilota participants to drive on their own for the first time. The course culminates in a double session on the track with the 488 Challenge Evo, the closed race car used in the Ferrari brand series.
/// CORSO PILOTA EVOLUZIONE
THE CHALLENGE GETS TOUGHER
The Corso Pilota Evoluzione takes place once a year at the Misano World Circuit (Rimini). The number of participants is limited to a maximum of twenty people, who are divided into five groups of four to enable closer cooperation with the instructors. Participants in the Corso Pilota Evoluzione will receive racing equipment, which includes a suit, gloves and fireproof shoes. This course has a higher level and offers more time on track with the 488 Challenge Evo used in most activities. The course also allows night driving: for the first time, participants will race under floodlights.
/// CORSO PILOTA CHALLENGE
INSIDE THE LEGEND
Surrounded by the fantastic backdrop of the Vallelunga racetrack near Rome, a maximum of twelve participants, divided into pairs, can immerse themselves in Ferrari’s racing heritage. An instructor is available to each pair. To understand the set-up and electronic controls of the 488 Challenge Evo used on this course, a technical briefing follows the theoretical lectures. On-track activities include rolling-start simulations. Participants will also take part in a competition behind the wheel of a 296 GTB to be the fastest and most skilled at avoiding traffic cones in the paddock. Participants will also receive a free helmet.
/// CORSO PILOTA PERSONAL COACHING
ONE-TO-ONE INSTRUCTION
The Corso Pilota Personal Coaching takes place at the Fiorano (Modena) circuit. It offers eight participants the opportunity to have their own personal instructor as well as drive a 296 GTB and a 488 Challenge EVO on the track. The programme and track sessions are adapted according to the clients’ requirements, driving skills and previous experience.
/// CORSO PILOTA LIMITED EDITION
WHEN ADRENALINE MEETS EXCLUSIVENESS
The venue and the programme of the Corso Pilota Limited Edition change every year, always maintaining the exclusive character of the course. The number of participants is limited to a maximum of twenty-five. They will have the opportunity to take part in cultural and glamorous activities organised especially for them in the most beautiful places in Italy. In 2022, the Corso Pilota Limited Edition will take place at the Mugello circuit, one of the most attractive, challenging and safe circuits in the world, and in nearby Florence. Unlike the other Ferrari driving courses, the Corso Pilota Limited Edition integrates either the Sport and Avanzato or Avanzato and Evoluzione levels, but is not a substitute for the Corso Pilota Challenge.
About us
//////// MERTEL stands for Motorsport
Are you looking for something exceptional? An experienced and strong partner for the realisation of your racing goals? Then you've come to the right place. The M in MERTEL stands for motorsports. Whether you want to start racing or are already an experienced racer: the MERTEL Motorsport team knows the requirements of the individual racing series and the needs of the drivers.
You love the exclusive? Team MERTEL Motorsport is the only Official FERRARI Dealer with its own motorsport team in Germany. We therefore offer you Ferrari Racing up close in all official events as well as at individual trackdays. And because a good racing driver should keep an eye on everything in advance - here is the overview of the 2023 programmes and dates.
TCR Racing
//////// Go Racing
MERTEL Motorsport supports cars in the TCR Eastern Europe 2023, a series for young talents, junior drivers and privateers with a passion for motorsport. Two sprint races of 30 minutes each will be held on the race weekend. Near-series, low-priced touring cars with front-wheel drive and two-litre turbo engines that produce around 330 hp will compete. The races take place on German, Austrian and Eastern Europe race tracks.
If you are interested in the series, please contact us.
Phone 0911 937 937-0
//////// Face the race
The TCR Eastern Europe Championship focuses heavily on the development of young drivers, offering them a pathway to higher levels of motorsport.Many of the drivers in TCR Eastern Europe are emerging talents looking to make their mark in the highly competitive world of touring car racing. The championship also features a number of experienced drivers who provide a mix of youth and experience on the grid.
Overall, the drivers in the TCR Eastern Europe stand out for their ambition and determination to succeed in the sport.
MERTEL Motorsport fields two successful and well-known drivers in the TCR Eastern Europe.
///////// Services for TCR drivers
Our service includes everything necessary for car and driver. For example, entry and certification or transport, technical race support and settings for your race car – or coaching and advice for you.
We recommend hotels or make your hotel and flight bookings, also take care of the catering so that you and your guests can simply concentrate on the racing.
/// Complete support throughout the entire racing season
/// Coaching and goal definition
/// Physio and mental coaching
/// Race support
/// Vehicle conversion
/// Safety equipment
/// Certification for racing series
/// Performance enhancement and weight reduction
/// Chassis optimisation
/// Chassis set-ups adapted to the driver
/// Transport of your racing vehicle
/// Preparation and post-processing of the vehicles
/// Parking – storage
/// Flight and hotel booking
/// Transport to the race track
/// Catering during the race event
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Face the Race with MERTEL Motorsport
Whether Track day, Shake down or a professional entry in a series like the Ferrari Challenge - MERTEL Motorsport is your powerful partner for customer racing.
