Gran Turismo Drivers Complain Over Lack Of Monetary Rewards On The Official Circuit
You might think professinal Gran Turismo players have it well off. It certainly seems so as these drivers are flown around the world to compete in GT events, sponsored by the game's developer Polyphony, and put up in fancy hotels and treated lavishly. But according to an in-depth report by Jalopnik, these Gran Turismo drivers are barely professional since the take-home money rewards from these events amounts to pretty much zilch.
While these Gran Turismo competitors, should they make the podium, do get awarded prizes such as top-of-the-line racing wheels, like the Thrustmast T-GT, and swag like Tag Heuer watches from brand partners, many eventually drop out after realising there's no way of turning their passion and hours of practising into a full-time career.
Related: Gran Turismo 7's Microtransactions Are Taking The Fun Out Of Grinding
Jalopnik interviewed the likes of Florent Pagandet, who competed in World Tour events from 2018 to 2020. He said participants were treated to four and five-star hotels, but that outside of this, regardless of where he finished in events and overall, "you'd get absolutely no money out of it".
Besides the lack of prize money on offer, Polyphony also seriously hampers money-making opportunities as it enforces a dress code. Competitors must wear the GT jersey and therefore are barred from wearing kits that can carry sponsorship logos and branding, cutting another potential revenue source from participants. This also means that esports organisations are put off from partnering these events since there's little financial incentive.
This means Gran Turismo competitors see no future in the esport since training can take up many hours but ultimately for little reward. Six of the seven drivers
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