As expected given the success of the first edition, there will indeed be a GP Explorer 2. Several creators and content creators, as well as rappers, will take part in a race at Le Mans, this Saturday, September 9, 2023 The box office displays sold-out, but we can watch live on Twitch.
Last year, Squeezie embarked on a crazy bet: organize a real car race on the legendary circuit of Le Mans, called the GP Explorer. For an entire day, content creators became motorsport actors, with a show worthy of F1 and a production blurring the tracks with television. The event, broadcast live on Twitch, was a huge success: more than 40,000 spectators on site and 2,825,099 viewers on Twitch.
In view of this success, Squeezie quickly made it clear that there will be at least another edition of the GP Explorer. The videographer had an important announcement to share on May 3, at 8 p.m., a few days after formalizing the creation of an e-sport structure (the Gentle Mates). We now know the date of the second edition of the GP Explorer, with an appointment scheduled for September 9, 2023, still at Le Mans, on the prestigious Bugatti circuit.
As planned, the box office opened on May 24, and all seats were quickly sold out. In less than 30 minutes, the 60,000 tickets were sold. It was to be expected.
What is the Grand Prix Explorer (GP Explorer)?
The GP Explorer is a car race organized by Squeezie. It brings together around twenty creators, divided into duos in stables supported by a major sponsor. The latter can be linked to motorsport (Alpine, which is for example engaged in F1), to the automobile (Cupra) or even to that of entertainment (Call of Duty) and allow the teams to be dressed. The cars on the track are Formula 4 homologated and used by professional drivers. These single-seaters are still capable of reaching a speed of 220 km/h. Obviously, safety requires, participants must follow several courses to learn to drive an F4. This was the strength of the first event: the content creators really got into the game.
Inspired by the real motor sports governed by the FIA, the GP Explorer is based on a fairly classic course. Thus, on a single day, the drivers must chain qualifying to determine the starting grid and, of course, the race itself. Between each stage, entertainment is offered on Twitch, with a real set, recognized commentators and prestigious guests.
On the side of the realization, the great means are employed. The first GP Explorer was able to count on Olivier Denis (the director of the 24 Hours of Le Mans) with AMP Visual TV, which specializes in covering sports competitions on TV. In 2022, the GP Explorer proved that it could play in the big leagues.
Where does the GP Explorer take place?
The GP Explorer is organized on the Bugatti circuit, located in Le Mans. It is a mythical track of 4.185 kilometers, which hosts for example the 24 Hours of Le Mans (Endurance race). In Formula 1, it was only used once, in 1967.
Who are the participants of GP Explorer 2?
In 2022, the GP Explorer brought together 22 participants (19 men, 3 women). For the second edition, there will be 24, which will bring the number of teams to 12. We already know the majority of the drivers, knowing that half will be ghosts and 3 are still secret for the moment. One of them could be Julien Fébreau, famous F1 commentator for Canal+ (who loved the GP Explorer).
The list of pilots entered :
- Squeezie* and Gotaga* (Gentle Mates)
- Kaatsup* and Le Bouseuh* (Overwatch 2)
- Djilsi* and Theodort (Alpine)
- Billy and Kekra (Crunchyroll)
- Sylvain* and Pierre* (NordVPN)
- Amixem* and Etienne Mustache* (Wargaming)
- Theo Juice and Mister V (Subway)
- Manon Lanza* and Depielo* (Alpine)
- Seb* and Maghla (Rhinoshield)
- Maxime Biaggi and Ana On Air (Mov’)
- Baghera and Horty (Cupra)
- SCH and Soso Maness (Samsung)
(pilots with a * are ghosts)
During a concert organized at the Vélodrome stadium on July 22, Squeezie revealed the identity of the mystery team: it will associate rappers SCH and Soso Maness, under the Samsung flag (the main sponsor).
Who won the first edition of the GP Explorer?
In 2022, the race was animated by a fierce fight between Sylvain from the Vilebrequin channel (which specializes in automobiles) and Depielo (who has a motor sports channel). It was Sylvain who had the last word. Étienne Mustache completed the podium.
The top 10 of the first edition of the GP Explorer :
- Sylvain (NordVPN)
- Depielo (Oscaro)
- Etienne Mustache (World of Tanks)
- Le Bouseuh (PUBG Mobile)
- Squeezie (Call of Duty)
- Valouz (Oscaro)
- Djilsi (Alpine)
- Manon Lanza (Alpine)
- Bibi (Black Adam)
- Dobby (Fruitz)
When will the second edition of the GP Explorer take place?
The second edition of the GP Explorer will be held on September 9, 2023, at the Bugatti circuit in Le Mans. Unlike the previous edition, organized on the same weekend as the Japanese Grand Prix in Formula 1, it will not compete with any other motorsport event. Squeezie has already promised surprises and we can for example hope for the presence of certain Formula 1 drivers, such as Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly (who will have competed in the Italian GP the previous weekend). In an article published on May 25, Tech&Co confirms that they will participate as coaches.
What is the GP Explorer program?
Here is the full program for Saturday, September 9 :
- 8h-9h: arrival of the pilots on the track;
- 9am-11am: free practice;
- 12.15 p.m.-1 p.m.: visits to the stands;
- 1:30 p.m.-2 p.m.: surprise entertainment on the track;
- 2-3.30 p.m.: qualifying;
- 4-4.40 p.m.: surprise entertainment on the track;
- 4.30 p.m.-5 p.m.: parade of pilots;
- 5:25 p.m.-6 p.m.: grid of cars;
- 6.35-7.30 p.m.: race (15 laps);
- 7:35-8:15 p.m.: podium with invasion of the track:
- 9:30 p.m.-11:35 p.m.: concert.
Note that the weather can upset your program, especially if it rains. If conditions become impracticable, the race may be cancelled.
Where to watch the GP Explorer live and in streaming?
The GP Explorer is streamed in full and live on Squeezie’s Twitch channel. Committed content creators also use their notoriety to offer videos to their community, in particular to share their experience of the race.
When will the GP Explorer 2 ticket office open?
As in 2022, we will be able to go to Le Mans to watch the race face-to-face. Nearly 40,000 seats had been put on sale for the first GP Explorer. The volume will increase to 60,000 for the 2023 edition.
The box office opened on May 24, during a Squeezie stream. The price of the place is 48 € (against 42 € for the first edition). During his live, Squeezie revealed that 17,000 tickets were sold in 20 minutes. There are already more: 30 minutes were enough for the event to display sold-out, which gave ideas to speculators. A page is now online to redeem a ticket securely.
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