How an Esports sim racer became a Porsche race driver
Discover the close connection between sim racing and real-life motorsport
Porsche Cup Brasil driver, Jeff Giassi, with team-mate Enzo Elias in 2021
The Porsche Track Experience stands for passion, precision and perfection – both on the racetrack and in everyday life. Find out how one of its instructors, Jeff Giassi, went from racing cars in the virtual world to real-life competitor in the Porsche Cup Brasil
Everyone who takes part in a Porsche Track Experience is supported by trained instructors who offer you the very best in support, guidance and experience. Each have their own story to tell, but Jeff Giassi’s is one that definitely stands out. Find out how he went from mastering the track as a sim racer to competing in actual Porsche racecars and, in the process, showing the growing connection between Esports and real-life motorsport.Who is sim racer and race driver, Jeff Giassi?Jeff Giassi is a champion in two worlds. The 28-year-old Brazilian began his career by competing in sim racing but has since become successful in real-life motorsport, driving in the highly competitive Porsche Cup Brasil series. Growing up in Florianópolis, the capital of the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, Jeff’s passion for speed was apparent early on – he first sat in a go-kart at the age of four.After the opportunity for a racing career was initially thwarted due to the level of finance needed to compete, Jeff found his opportunity in the virtual motorsport world when, at the age of 14, he turned to sim racing to satisfy his love for fast driving.“In 2011, this world was still simple,” says Jeff. “You bought a steering wheel and pedals, loaded tracks onto your computer and met up with a few people online.”Today, professional racing simulator set-ups resemble real-life racing cars – and Jeff became one of the best.
Driver Jeff Giassi in a yellow Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (type 992) racecar
From Esports champion to the real-life racing champion: Jeff Giassi leads the way in his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racecar Photo: Porsche
From Esports champion to Porsche Cup driverJeff’s move into sim racing certainly paid off. In 2019, he won the Porsche Esports Carrera Cup Brasil in his debut season. His reward was a call from Porsche Brazil asking if he’d like to represent them in the international Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup. When Porsche Brazil asked him what his conditions would be for doing so, Jeff's answer was a bold one. Instead of money, he requested test days, on a real track, in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racecar.Porsche generously fulfilled Jeff’s dream with five days of testing followed by a race at the finale of the Endurance League of the Porsche Cup Brasil back in 2020. And Jeff surprised everyone with pole position at the legendary racetrack, Interlagos – home of Formula 1’s Brazilian Grand Prix – followed by long battles for the lead with Porsche Junior drivers Enzo Elias and Dimas Pimenta. Only a drive-through penalty prevented a sensational victory. Nevertheless, one thing was clear – this was a sim racer making his presence known on the real racetrack.
Esports driver and Porsche Cup Brasil racer, Jeff Giassi, with team-mate Enzo Elias
Jeff (right) celebrates with team-mate Enzo Elias after claiming overall victory in the 2021 Porsche Cup Brasil championship Photo: Porsche
Jeff continued his career on both levels. In sim racing, he won the Porsche Esports Carrera Cup Brasil again in 2020 and 2021 to complete back-to-back-to-back victories in the competition, after qualifying for the top-class Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup in 2019.At the same time, he continued his rise in real-life motorsport at the wheel of a Porsche. Together with now team-mate, Enzo Elias, he not only won the rookie ranking in the Porsche Cup Brasil Endurance in 2021 but also the championship title. “To this day, I can’t believe that we beat so many more experienced pilots,” he says, describing it as the best moment in his life.
911 GT3 Cup racecar, driven by Esports champion Jeff Giassi, in 2021
After success on the race circuit, both virtually and in real life, Jeff is now a sought-after motorsport instructor, including working with participants on the Porsche Track Experience Photo: Porsche
From racing driver to Porsche Track Experience instructorIn 2022, Jeff discovered a new passion – coaching. Since then he has become a certified Porsche instructor and coach. In this role, he not only needs driving talent, but also in-depth technical knowledge and the ability to communicate complex content in a relatable way.Jeff is an ace in his new full-time job and has become highly sought after, training clients at every level, from beginners to championship leaders of the (real) Porsche Cup Brasil. And he says that his sim racing expertise has helped him enormously. Training sessions often begin on the simulator, where drivers can improve their skills without any risk or time pressure.“In the simulator, we can do an infinite number of laps and analyse every last detail,” explains Jeff. “With thorough preparation, you will be way ahead of the competition at the start of the race.
Porsche Cup Brasil drivers celebrate on podium with champagne
Jeff (pictured far right) celebrates overall victory in the 2021 Porsche Cup Brasil championship next to his team-mate, Enzo Elias Photo: Porsche
Dreaming of competing in a Porsche at the NürburgringAfter a short break from real-life motor sport, Jeff returned to the Porsche Cup Brasil in 2024 and is still competing. “Porsche means everything to me,” he says. “I’m actually doing what I dreamed of in front of the screen in my bedroom when I was a kid. I would imagine travelling around the world driving amazing sports cars, winning titles in both virtual and real sports.”He continues to dream, the biggest of which is to take part in the biggest endurance races in the world, like the Nürburgring 24 Hours (he’s already secured the necessary permit to drive on the legendary Nordschleife). Jeff has learnt many things on his fantastic journey to a career in motorsport, but one stands out in particular: “You have to give dreams a chance.”
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