From SimRacing to the Porsche Supercup: the story of Frank Porté

Moving from the simulator to a real car isn’t the norm. But neither is what Frank Porté has done: in just a few years, he has gone from simracing to competing in the Porsche Supercup alongside Formula 1.

At Simufy, we spoke with him to understand how he made that leap, what changed when transitioning to the real world, and what’s behind his progression.

He has also been involved in developing his own simulator, the Simufy GT3 Simulator – Frank Porté Edition, designed to deliver an experience as close as possible to what he feels on track.

From simracer to real driver: an uncommon progression

Most drivers start in karting as kids. Frank Porté didn’t. His foundation was simracing, where he developed much of his skillset before stepping into the real world.

His first opportunity came with a test at Le Mans Bugatti in Formula 4. From there, everything moved quickly. The first year was about adaptation: understanding how a real car works, how to manage races, and how to extract performance on track.

But in his second season, he was already winning races and fighting for podiums. In a very short time, he went from amateur to competing at the highest level in his category.

An unusual progression that highlights something key: simracing can be far more than a game when combined with work, consistency, and the right opportunities.

The transition to the real world: challenges, fear, and adaptation

Moving from a simulator to a real car isn’t just about technique. The biggest difference lies in the sensations: speed, forces, and above all, real risk.

In simracing, you can push to the limit without consequences. On track, you can’t. And that’s where one of the biggest challenges appears: the fear of going flat out, especially in high-speed corners.

Frank explains it clearly: there are no shortcuts. The only way forward is to build laps, repeat, and gradually push the limit. Brake a bit later, trust the car a bit more… until everything clicks.

It’s a progressive process where confidence is built through experience. And this is exactly where many drivers make the difference: in their ability to adapt to what the simulator cannot fully replicate.

From driver to owner: the key to staying in the game

Reaching professional motorsport isn’t just about talent. The financial factor is decisive, especially in single-seater categories where costs can escalate quickly.

That’s why, after his time in Formula 4, Frank made a key decision: leave single-seaters and move into GT racing. A shift that allowed him to keep competing in a more sustainable way.

He went even further and chose to buy his own car. This allows him to reduce long-term costs and maintain greater control over his racing program.

An uncommon but smart strategy that reflects something important: it’s not just the fastest who wins, but the one who adapts best.

What Frank Porté’s story shows

Frank Porté’s journey makes one thing clear: simracing can be a real gateway to motorsport. It doesn’t replace track experience, but it builds a very strong foundation.

Reflexes, racing lines, racecraft… many of these skills can be developed in the simulator. But stepping into the real world requires more: adaptation, risk management, and confidence.

His progression also proves there isn’t just one path. He didn’t start in karting, didn’t follow the traditional route, and still made it to compete alongside Formula 1.

In the end, it comes down to a combination of factors: consistency, mindset, and the ability to seize opportunities.

With just a few years of real racing experience, Frank Porté has already shown he can compete at the highest level. And if his story proves anything, it’s that this is only the beginning.

With everything he has learned so far, the goal is clear: keep progressing and fight for the title in the coming seasons.