GP Explorer 3’s ‘Last Race’ Turned Out to Be Just the Start

GP Explorer 3’s “Last Race” That Feels More Like a Grand Opening

When Squeezie dubbed this weekend’s edition of GP Explorer “The Last Race,” no one foresaw it packing Le Mans like a season opener. Race day drew roughly 80,000 spectators, and organizers estimate over 180,000 attendees in total across the three-day event. On YouTube, Squeezie’s live stream peaked at 1.4 million concurrent viewers. Add official English and Spanish co-streams (another 128,000 peak) plus French public TV coverage, and you’ve got appointment viewing on an unprecedented scale for a creator-led spectacle.

• Creator economy meets traditional motorsport, delivering F4 racing with full broadcast production.
• Multilingual streams signal a deliberate push beyond France’s borders.
• Reports (unverified) suggest a €10 million production budget—heavy logistics, but sponsors lined up.
• Big-name partners (Cupra, Alpine, Lego) now see these events as premium sports properties.

Breaking Down the Weekend

The headline, of course, is the on-track action. Karchez (driving for Cupra) claimed pole and held on for the win. Kaatsup (Alpine) crossed second, and ex-MotoGP star Maxime Biaggi rounded out the podium for Lego Racing Team. But the show went far beyond a standard podium ceremony. From audible team radios and multiple onboard F4 cameras to a “race of legends” featuring Sylvain Levy, Depielo, LeBouseuh, and Étienne Moustache in Ligier JS P4s, every detail screamed high-caliber production.

A rainy Saturday threw a curveball, yet quick pit repairs for minor incidents (notably for SCH and Maghla) kept the schedule intact. Concerts, driver meet-and-greets, and sponsor activations filled downtime, ensuring fans stayed engaged between track sessions. Even the Patrouille de France’s flyover—blue-white-red smoke trailing over the grid—felt choreographed for maximum social impact. The hash-tagged clip garnered over 2 million impressions across X and Instagram within hours.

Why GP Explorer Matters Now

We’ve seen influencers pack boxing arenas (La Velada, Misfits Boxing) and esports fill stadiums for years. GP Explorer stands apart by spelling out real risk, real training, and real cars. It bridges a gap: fans watch creators tackle genuine physical and technical challenges, not just digital ones. That authenticity anchors the spectacle.

More importantly, this weekend signaled a strategic push into global live sports. With Twitch CEO Dan Clancy on-site and French public television rolling out red carpets, GP Explorer isn’t just another livestream; it’s a negotiation between legacy broadcasters and the creator economy. Multilingual commentary wasn’t a nice-to-have—it was central to growth. This model shows that creator events can match the pageantry and professionalism of traditional sports while retaining the fast pace and personality of Twitch.

Comparing to Other Creator Mega-Events

In boxing, events like La Velada and Misfits Boxing have proven influencers can fill seats and drive pay-per-view buys. Each has leaned on novelty—celebs in the ring—to deliver bursts of attention. GP Explorer, by contrast, bets on sustained fan engagement through genuine motorsport. Instead of one night of fights, you get three days of practice, qualifying, main races, and fan experiences.

Esports stadium shows—even flashier League of Legends or CS:GO finals—never required drivers to endure G-force or master F4 car controls. They rely on simulation and digital overlays. GP Explorer’s formula fuses those production values with real-world stakes. The result? A hybrid that appeals to hardcore racing fans and creator communities alike, broadening appeal in ways neither traditional motorsport nor pure streaming could achieve alone.

Blueprint for a Sustainable Sequel

If “The Last Race” really was the end of this chapter, organizers already have a playbook for what comes next. Three formats stand out:

• One-Make Series in JS P4s
  Pros: Lower development cost, identical cars level the playing field, strong visuals for broadcast.
  Cons: Less variety may fatigue hardcore racing fans; reduced brand differentiation for sponsors.
• Sim-to-Track Qualifiers
  Pros: Engages global sim-racing communities via iRacing or Gran Turismo; cuts training time and insurance costs.
  Cons: Requires robust online infrastructure; may discourage fans who prefer live, in-person action.
• Regional Feeder Events
  Pros: Cultivates local creator talent, lowers travel/logistics, builds grassroots enthusiasm.
  Cons: Fragmented viewership, higher coordination burden across multiple venues.

All three formats could be combined: regional qualifiers feed a global online tournament, the winners earn F4 seats in a one-make finale. Such a model spreads the logistical load and keeps content fresh year-round.

Looking Ahead: Will There Be a GP Explorer 4?

Squeezie may have signed off with, “It’s a shame, it’s over,” but fans chanted “Fourth! Fourth! Fourth!” at the podium. The event’s socials teased: “And who knows… maybe see you soon.” With tickets selling out, broadcasters lining up, and sponsors writing new checks, the momentum is undeniable.

There are real hurdles: a reported €10 million budget (unverified) demands strong returns, and creator schedules aren’t built for months of F4 prep. Yet the appetite—from 80,000 live fans to over 1.5 million viewers online—suggests this is far from the finish line. As one industry insider put it on background, “Brands and broadcasters won’t let this fade quietly.”

Whether it’s called GP Explorer 4, a leaner “GP Quick Lap” series, or a cross-border tour, the core signal is clear: creator-led motorsport has graduated from sideshow to headline act. And next time, we might not be talking about the end at all—but the beginning of something even bigger.