F1 Esports Announces Second Season, Players Can Represent Official Teams
By Ford James ·
Brendon Leigh was crowned champion of the first F1 Esports season, and this time around players will represent the official teams such as McLaren, Williams, and Red Bull Racing.
Late last year, the very first season of F1 Esports came to a close. Brendon Leigh was crowned champion, followed by Fabrizio Donoso Delgado and Sven Zurner in second and third respectively. F1 has announced that it’ll be back for its second season on F1 2017, and it all kicks off in just over a week on April 13.
To start with, players will compete online on either PS4, Xbox One or PC, and take control of Valtteri Bottas’ Mercedes in Shanghai, aiming for a podium finish from sixth place with five laps to go, on a wet but drying track. If you’re in the top ten on your platform, you’ll race-off against the other qualifiers in a live-streamed event, where the top three finishers will go through to the Pro Draft.
The Pro Draft will take place in July, and it’s where the official F1 teams can select which player they want to represent their esports team. Each team must select at least one of its players from the draft. There will be four qualifying events in total, so after those and a ‘wildcard’ stage, the top 40 drivers in the world will be available for selection by Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport, Red Bull Racing, Hype Energy eForce India, Williams F1 Esports Team, Renault Sport Team Vitality, Haas F1 Esports Team, McLaren, Toro Rosso and Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team. Three live events follow the Pro Draft, which will determine the world champion and who walks away with the largest share of the $200,000 prize pool.
Julian Tan, Head of Digital Growth & F1 Esports at Formula 1 said: "It has always been our goal to get the teams involved as soon as possible and we are delighted that they have recognised the potential of the F1 Esports Series at such an early stage. Last year's series was a great success and demonstrated that there is a clear audience and interest in this innovative, exciting form of racing. We will continue to invest in the Esports Series as we feel it is a great way for us to interact and engage with a new audience."
F1 Esports is still a relatively new endeavour, but keep your eyes peeled over the coming weeks and months for more news from Twin Galaxies on the second season. For more information now, head on over to the official website.