Optiminal Esports: The champion who wants to strike again

Optiminal Esports start the 2026 season as defending champions — and they do so with an impressive sense of calm and self-belief. After a year in which the team secured both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles, the off-season has shown one thing above all: the hunger is far from satisfied. Team principal Rouven Meschede offers a deeper look into the preparation, expectations, and the challenges awaiting the team everyone will be chasing.

A team returning even stronger

For Optiminal, the off-season was anything but a victory lap. Meschede emphasizes how intensely the team trained and how much data was gathered to lay the foundation for another title push. With Sven Schubert and Heiko Kolvenbach staying together as the championship-winning duo, the line-up remains unchanged — a major advantage in a grid where stability is a rare commodity.

The upgrades submitted ahead of the season make the message clear: Optiminal intend to run at the front again. The engineer selection process went extremely well, the development work has been focused and consistent, and Meschede sounds convinced the team is ready to fight for wins from the very first round.

A stronger field — but no fear

Asked whether there are any teams he’s particularly concerned about, Meschede remains composed. Newcomers like VEGA or the returning Horizon Motorsport are “exciting,” and the league as a whole has taken a noticeable step forward in quality. But Optiminal’s focus is internal: experience, structure, and professionalism are expected to be the keys again in 2026.

Title defence as the clear objective

As the reigning champions, Optiminal leave no room for excuses or hesitation. The goal is to defend both crowns — in the drivers’ and constructors’ standings. With two drivers capable of fighting for wins consistently, Meschede believes the team is in an ideal position. Expectations are high, but they don’t come across as arrogant — rather as the mindset of a team that knows what it takes to win championships.

The car has been developed to be competitive across almost every circuit. Still, high-speed venues remain the natural strength of the Optiminal package — just as they were last season. The team expects to be particularly dangerous again on fast layouts in 2026.

Optiminal approach race preparation with a clear and structured process. Setups are built collaboratively, strategies are discussed in advance — but the team stays flexible during the race. Meschede is the only engineer actively supporting during races, while experienced drivers contribute behind the scenes with input that feeds into setup work. Notably, the team deliberately avoids overlays — a statement of how much Optiminal trust pure driving and their internal procedures.

A champion that isn’t satisfied

Optiminal Esports head into the new season with a blend of confidence, professionalism, and undiluted ambition. Preparation has been intense, the line-up is settled, and the structure is in place. The competition may be stronger — but Optiminal remain the team to beat.

2026 will show whether the champions can defend their throne or whether the hunt for the crown becomes even tougher this year. One thing is certain: Optiminal Esports is ready.