QRD has officially entered the H1GP grid for the 2026 season, and with their debut comes an announcement that looks firmly toward the future. The team has opened a formal driver search for the 2027 season, and alongside it, the introduction of the QRD Academy. A structured development programme designed to bring the next generation of competitive sim racers into professional racing.
With just four seats available, the programme is selective by design. QRD are not simply looking to fill a grid; they are looking for drivers who combine raw pace with the discipline and consistency required to operate within a professional team environment.
The 2026 Livery
Alongside the academy announcement, QRD have unveiled their 2026 race livery, the first visual identity for the team as they make their H1GP debut. The new design marks the beginning of QRD's presence on the grid and sets the tone for the team's identity going forward.
QRD's 2026 livery from both angles. Photo: H1GP Media
Backed by a Championship-Winning Organisation
QRD will operate as the sister team to Racing Labs QRT, the 2025 H1GP Constructors' Champions. The relationship is more than a name on paper, as QRD will be managed by Racing Labs QRT, meaning academy drivers will have direct access to the infrastructure, knowledge base, and competitive standards of one of the most successful organisations in the championship's history.
QRD enters H1GP as the sister team to Racing Labs QRT, the 2025 H1GP Constructors' Champions. Managed under the Racing Labs QRT banner, QRD is positioned as a development platform for rising drivers, with a clear pathway into top-tier competition.
QRD team management. Photo: H1GP Media
The team will be led by Keian Lim as team boss, working alongside Racing Labs QRT team principal Arlen Redclifft. Together, they will oversee the academy process from application through to selection, ensuring that drivers entering the programme benefit from experienced guidance at every step.
Entry Requirements
Before applying to the QRD Academy, all interested drivers must meet a minimum threshold of verified simulation time. This is a non-negotiable baseline. The team wants to ensure every applicant arrives with a foundational level of experience and track familiarity.
The QRD Academy Qualifiers
Drivers who meet the entry requirement will then compete through a two-stage qualifier process. Each stage is designed to test a different dimension of racecraft, with only the most complete drivers advancing to a full academy seat.
What Academy Drivers Can Expect
Selection into the QRD Academy is a structured entry point into semi-professional sim racing operations. Selected drivers will work within an environment that mirrors real-world racing standards, with access to feedback, coaching, and the day-to-day workings of a competitive H1GP team.
Through the Racing Labs QRT connection, academy drivers will learn directly from a championship-winning organisation, gaining exposure to the processes and standards that have made the team one of H1GP's most consistent performers. Drivers will also have the opportunity to grow their network within the sim racing community, building connections with fellow competitors and establishing a foundation for long-term careers in the sport.
For many applicants, the QRD Academy could represent the clearest route from development-level racing into a competitive H1GP seat. The team's intention is not just to identify fast drivers, but to develop well-rounded racers capable of contributing to a professional team over a full season.
2026 Season Entry Confirmed
While the academy search targets the 2027 campaign, QRD's 2026 H1GP driver lineup has already been confirmed. The team makes their championship debut at the season opener at Suzuka on March 29th, racing under the backing of Racing Labs QRT as they establish themselves on the grid.
Further details on the QRD Academy application process, including key dates for the qualifier stages, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
