MIHAJA
Who is Aaron Debattista?
Aaron is no stranger to the local sim racing scene. He is one of the drivers and co-managers behind Intercomp VMD Simsport. The team launched in 2024 with the aim of representing Malta on the international virtual motorsport stage.
On top of that, he has been in red-hot form in the Malta National GT3 Championship. He took a perfect start at Imola in September and, most recently, won at Watkins Glen, narrowing the gap between himself and the championship lead to just 3 points. Add a place on the Maltese National Team, and it’s no surprise he was the one flying the flag in the qualifiers.
The Road to the Global Esports Games
Aaron competed in Pool A of the Regional Qualifiers, lining up against 28 drivers from across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. However, only the top 10 earned a place at the Finals, so there was little room for error. Aaron delivered two consistent performances across the qualifying rounds:
- Round 1 – Virginia International Raceway – 11th
- Round 2 – Laguna Seca – 8th
That was enough to secure his ticket to Los Angeles, as the Malta Esports Association announced on 12 September.
The Global Esports Games
The Global Esports Federation organises the Global Esports Games, which bring together national teams from around the world. After previous editions in Singapore (2021), Istanbul (2022) and Riyadh (2023), the Games now head to Los Angeles in partnership with the Los Angeles Times Media Group.
The event runs from 1st to 7th December, with the Opening Ceremony on 4 December. Aaron will compete as part of the Maltese National Team, with support from the Malta Esports Association and GamingMalta.
Q&A with Aaron Debattista
We caught up with Aaron ahead of the Finals to find out more about his qualification and his plans for LA.
How did it feel when you saw the final standings and knew you’d qualified?
Well, obviously it felt amazing and surreal, because it wasn’t easy to qualify. The level of skill was high across the top, and being there feels amazing.
Round 1 at VIR ended in 11th, but you bounced back with 8th at Laguna Seca. What changed between the two rounds?
Well, at Laguna Seca I had nothing to lose, so I just went for it and gave it my all for the final time.
How are you preparing for the Finals, and what would be a good result for you in LA?
Well, as for preparations, the National Championship is currently going on, which is keeping me busy and in touch with the simulator, improving day by day. But honestly, I have no expectations. Let’s see how far I can go and put Malta on the map!
What does it mean to represent Malta on a stage like this?
Representing the country has always been a dream of mine, and representing it on the international stage amongst the best sim racers in the world feels amazing.
Conclusion
Qualifying for the Global Esports Games out of a field this competitive is a huge achievement for Aaron Debattista. It’s also a big moment for the growing sim racing community in Malta. With Aaron in top form in the National GT3 Championship as well, he heads to Los Angeles with plenty of momentum behind him.
As Aaron said himself, the goal is simple: see how far he can go and put Malta on the map. We’ll be following his journey closely, so stay tuned for more coverage in December. Best of luck Aaron, we’re all rooting for you!
