British Formula One team Williams Racing has announced an esports partnership with electrical retailer Currys for its Williams Esports division.
As part of the deal,...
Motorsport Games, the developer of sim racing title rFactor, has appointed former Formula One and current INDYCAR driver Romain Grosjean as a technical advisor. Grosjean will help Motorsport Games by advising the company on how to grow its esports offerings, as well as how to improve the rFactor 2 simulation platform. RELATED: Romain Grosjean’s R8G […]
Israeli esports organisation Finest has announced the acquisition of Monaco Esports Fédération-owned team Monaco Esports for $10m (~£7.6m). As part of the merger, Monaco Esports operations and branding will cease to exist and will be absorbed into Finest. This won’t include the club’s upcoming Sim Racing event, which will carry on with Monaco Esports branding. RELATED: […]
Misfits Gaming Group (MGG), the parent company of Misfits, Florida Mutineers, and Florida Mayhem, has announced a cryptocurrency partnership with blockchain company Tezos. Tezos will serve as the official blockchain for Misfits and include marquee branding and sponsorship rights. Tezos will also help Misfits Gaming Group launch its new blockchain gaming platform called Block Born. […]
There may be a whole host of great racers out there, but as the official game of the GT World Challenge, Assetto Corsa Competizione has a niche like no other. Today that game promises to deliver more than ever before too, as it goes next gen with an optimised launch on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.
NASCAR has joined forces with collegiate esports league NACE Starleague to launch the eNASCAR College iRacing Series. The series is open to over 500 colleges and universities across North America, with aspiring drivers competing for a chance to earn a share of $50,000 (£~36,859) in scholarships. RELATED: eNASCAR announces new partners and five-race schedule In addition, the […]
Danish esports organisation Heroic has announced a partnership with audio peripherals brand EPOS. As a result of the deal, the brand will provide the organisation’s players and facilities with its range of audio equipment, which includes headsets and microphones. RELATED: EPOS and BLAST Premier announce two-year renewal EPOS’ logo will also feature on Heroic’s jersey while players representing […]
Munster Rugby Gaming, the esports branch of Irish rugby club Munster Rugby, has announced a partnership with British Formula One team Williams Racing. As a result, Williams will support the branch’s foray into sim racing, starting with the 2022 SRO Sprint Series. RELATED: Munster Rugby: Charging hard into esports The driver lineup will be led by Daire McCormack, a […]
Entertainment and media technology company Interactive Gaming Group (IGG) has signed a partnership with North American Dota 2 organisation Quincy Crew. The partnership aims to provide new sponsorship opportunities for Quincy Crew and allow the organisation to reach new markets. RELATED: Epic Esports Events and Winline to hold Dota 2 Champions League Season 7 Quincy […]
EXCEL Esports Co-founder Kieran Holmes-Darby has been appointed as Formula E’s Gaming Director. As part of his role, Holmes-Darby will oversee upcoming gamified experiences for Formula E and will help grow the electric motorsport’s gaming products. RELATED: EXCEL partners with sports fashion retailer JD SPORTS Kieran Holmes-Darby is most known as one of the co-founders of […]
They were the surprise package of the 2021 F1 Esports Series Pro Championship presented by Aramco – but after two and a half years together, Lucas Blakeley announces he will be parting ways with Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team.
The news comes as a surprise to many, after a successful season together in 2021 which saw the duo accrue two victories, en route to third in both the driver and team standings.
Sharing the news via social media, Blakeley said:
“Today, I announce that I’m leaving Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team after two and a half years.
“I want to take a moment to thank the team for putting their faith in me during this time, it’s thanks to them that I got the chance to compete in F1 Esports and do what I love competitively. For that, I will be forever grateful.”
Blakeley has not yet made his future plans known to the public, although he signed off the message with a cryptic hint that he may know his whereabouts later this year:
“This chapter has closed, time to start writing the next…”
From Draftee To Dark Horse
Blakeley’s journey has been a joyous one to follow. Looked over for a seat in 2018, he got a second chance in 2019 when he attended what was then known as the Pro Draft. Scooped up by the team, known at the time as BWT Racing Point F1 Esports Team, the young Scot was reduced to tears at his selection.
With F1 Esports stalwart Marcel Kiefer, and sim racing authority Daniele Haddad as team mates, Blakeley only got four races on track in that year’s championship.
That was more than enough. In only his second race, he commanded an ultra-impressive second-place finish at the Suzuka race, losing out only to race winner Frede Rasmussen.
The 2020 season came and went in a blur, and Blakeley and Racing Point were left behind. But 2021 was to be a different story. First race, first victory. In a taste of what was to come, Blakeley fought tooth and nail with Nicolas Longuet and Alvaro Carreton for the first win of the season in Bahrain. A complete changing of the guard, a breathless final lap battle, and a first ever victory for the elated Scot.
The season blossomed into the most competitive so far, and Blakeley took another victory at Portimao, and became championship leader after he showed more consistency than rivals Jarno Opmeer and Rasmussen. Though he eventually missed out on the crown, the quantum leap in terms of performance means that wherever he ends up in 2022, he’s sure to impress!
We don’t yet know who will be on the grid in the 2022 F1 Esports Series Pro Championship, but thanks to Challengers, we’re getting slightly closer! Join us for Event 2 of the F1 Esports Challengers, streaming live on Twitch from 1-3 February at 19:30 GMT. We might just unearth our next superstar…
