eSports
Full team line-ups and event details announced for 2021 F1® Esports Series Pro Championship presented by Aramco
Ahead of the highly anticipated 2021 F1® Esports Series Pro Championship presented by Aramco, which begins next month, the full driver line-ups and event details were announced in Wednesday’s Preview Show, as teams’ get set to battle it out once again for a piece of the huge $750,000 prize pot – one of the biggest in Esports.
F1® Esports Series’ flagship competition continues to exceed expectation and shatter records along the way with last year’s Pro Series, as it was then called, achieving 10.6m views across TV & digital, as well as a record 291m social impressions and 23.8m video views throughout the campaign. The ever-rising popularity of the competition was even more evident as nearly half a million people attempted to qualify for this year’s championship, an increase of 108% from 2020.
As per the 2020 competition, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, drivers will continue to race from team factories or bespoke Esports facilities, or their own homes, whilst broadcasts will be filmed from the Gfinity Arena in London. Drivers will compete on the official F1® 2021 video game, developed by Codemasters and EA.
Aramco return as the presenting partner of the Pro Championship for a second year, and long-term partners DHL and Fanatec also continue to be a key part of the F1® Esports Series. Fanatec will supply hardware to all drivers for this year’s campaign, as it had done since 2018, while three new drivers will compete in the 2021 season after qualifying through the DHL Time-Trial qualification route, including prominent sim-racer Sebastian Job, who joins Alpha Tauri.
HUGE MOVES ACROSS THE GRID
Since last year’s Championship wrapped up in December, there have been a number of high-profile moves around the grid as two world champions switched allegiances in the off-season. Reigning champion Jarno Opmeer, who secured his first title with Alfa Romeo, has joined Mercedes, filling the spot left by Brendon Leigh. Two-time world champion Leigh, who has been recruited by the FDA, joins the only other drivers champion, David Tonizza.
Reigning teams’ champions Red Bull have retained duo Marcel Kiefer and Frederik Rasmussen, who will both be in contention for a shot at this year’s individual honour, whilst Opmeer’s teammate Dani Bereznay, who helped Alfa Romeo to a second-place finish in the teams’ championship has joined McLaren as they prepare for the new season with a completely new three-driver roster, with last year’s ‘Rookie of the Year’ Dani Moreno also heading to Mercedes.
There will be ten new drivers on this year’s driver line-up, with a third of the grid having been scouted through this year’s Pro Exhibition after qualifying via one of F1® Esports Series’ qualification routes.
|
Team |
Number |
Driver |
Nationality |
D.O.B |
|
Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN F1 Esports |
30 |
Simon Weigang |
German |
28/10/1997 |
|
38 |
Filip Prešnajder |
Slovakian |
27/11/2002 |
|
|
73 |
Thijmen Schütte |
Dutch |
25/08/2004 |
|
|
Scuderia AlphaTauri Esports Team |
51 |
Joni Törmälä |
Finnish |
15/08/1996 |
|
13 |
Sebastian Job |
British |
22/03/2000 |
|
|
28 |
Dario Iemmulo |
Italian |
28/01/2003 |
|
|
Alpine Esports Team |
40 |
Nicolas Longuet |
French |
06/08/2002 |
|
8 |
Fabrizio Donoso |
Chilean |
19/06/1999 |
|
|
80 |
Patrik Sipos |
Hungarian |
30/04/2003 |
|
|
Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team |
88 |
Lucas Blakely |
British |
15/07/2001 |
|
92 |
Daniele Haddad |
Italian |
12/08/1992 |
|
|
79 |
Shanaka Clay |
British |
04/02/1999 |
|
|
FDA Esports Team |
95 |
David Tonizza |
Italian |
14/01/2002 |
|
72 |
Brendon Leigh |
British |
07/08/1999 |
|
|
29 |
Domenico Lovece |
Italian |
29/06/2001 |
|
|
Uralkali Haas F1 Team Esports |
2 |
Cedric Thomé |
German |
26/02/1998 |
|
15 |
Samuel Libeert |
French |
12/11/1992 |
|
|
48 |
Matthjs van Erven |
Dutch |
03/03/2003 |
|
|
McLaren Shadow |
12 |
Daniel Bereznay |
Hungarian |
28/05/2000 |
|
20 |
Bardia Boroumand |
Iranian |
17/04/2003 |
|
|
52 |
Josh Idowu |
British |
10/02/2003 |
|
|
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports Team |
34 |
Jarno Opmeer |
Dutch |
11/04/2000 |
|
26 |
Dani Moreno |
Spanish |
09/01/2001 |
|
|
94 |
Bono Huis |
Dutch |
04/12/1994 |
|
|
Red Bull Racing Esports |
24 |
Marcel Kiefer |
German |
24/08/1998 |
|
19 |
Frederik Rasmussen |
Danish |
18/06/2000 |
|
|
59 |
Liam Parnell |
German |
05/09/2002 |
|
|
Williams Esports |
21 |
Álvaro Carretón |
Spanish |
21/07/2001 |
|
53 |
Michael Romanidis |
Greek |
07/09/2003 |
|
|
23 |
Alessio Di Capua |
Italian |
10/04/2002 |
TWO CIRCUIT DEBUTS, AND OLD FAVOURITES RETURN
This year’s campaign, the fifth season of the competition, will begin on Wednesday 13 October with the first two races of Event 1, as drivers’ replicate the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship by starting off at the Bahrain International Circuit. Whilst the real-world F1® drivers couldn’t travel to China this year, the Shanghai International Circuit will be brought to life virtually, before the always popular Red Bull Ring rounds off the season-opening Event on the following day.
While most of the chosen venues remain the same as last year, including Zandvoort where F1® returned earlier this month, there are three new tracks for drivers to get to grips with this season. The ‘rollercoaster’ in Portimão makes its debut in the Pro Championships, as does Imola, whilst the Circuit of the Americas returns to the calendar. As has been the case for the past two campaigns, the season finale will see competitors battle it out at Interlagos.
|
Event # |
Date |
Round # |
Circuit |
|
Event 1 |
13-14 October |
Round 1 |
Sakhir, Bahrain |
|
Round 2 |
Shanghai, China |
||
|
Round 3 |
Spielberg, Austria |
||
|
Event 2 |
27-28 October |
Round 4 |
Silverstone, Great Britain |
|
Round 5 |
Monza, Italy |
||
|
Round 6 |
Spa, Belgium |
||
|
Event 3 |
24-25 November |
Round 7 |
Portimão, Portugal |
|
Round 8 |
Zandvoort, Netherlands |
||
|
Round 9 |
Austin, USA |
||
|
Event 4 |
15-16 December |
Round 10 |
Imola, Italy |
|
Round 11 |
Mexico City, Mexico |
||
|
Round 12 |
Interlagos, Brazil |
EIGHT LIVE SHOWS ACROSS THE SEASON
F1® Esports fans will be happy to hear that following the increased coverage of last year’s Pro Series, the format will remain the same for 2021, where there will be live racing on Wednesday and Thursday of each Event week, as well as livestreamed qualifying sessions on both days. The Pro Championship will be broadcast on the official F1® social channels (Facebook, YouTube, Twitch and Huya), as well as select TV broadcast partners.
Ben Pincus, Director of Commercial Partnerships at Formula 1®, said:
“There’s huge excitement building ahead of the new season of the F1 Esports Series Pro Championship, and we can’t wait to get started, and with so many big moves around the grid, this year’s title really is anyone’s for the taking! As always, we want to thank our partners Aramco, DHL and Fanatec for their continued support which enables us to bring elite sim-racing to fans around the world.”
Paul Jeal, F1 Senior Franchise Director at Codemasters, said:
“The 2021 F1 Esports Series Pro Championship promises to be the most exciting and unpredictable season to date. There have been some exciting driver moves with former double F1 Esports Champion Brendon Leigh joining another ex-champion David Tonizza at Ferrari, and our current F1 Esports Champion Jarno Opmeer moving to Mercedes. We also welcome new exciting talent from the Challengers, and it will be fascinating to see how Alessio Di Capua and Josh Idowu compete on the biggest stage. On behalf of the F1 team at Codemasters and all our players worldwide, good luck to the 2021 drivers. Let the racing begin.”
John Clarke, CEO at Gfinity, said:
“Anticipation is building for the new season of the F1 Esports Series Pro Championship presented by Aramco. It has become a must watch competition for both existing, and an ever-growing army of new, virtual racing fans. The bar is raised each year with new talent emerging and spectacular racing. The Gfinity production team will also be raising the bar with more storytelling and high-octane coverage of the races. It’s time to sit back and enjoy the show!”
Team Vitality, Europe’s leading esports organisation, is back on the fighting game scene with the latest instalment of the famous franchise TEKKEN. Following the release of the eighth edition of the renowned game earlier this year, the French club now welcomes TEKKEN 8 player “Jeondding” to the hive. This expansion strengthens the organisation’s presence in South Korea, reaching a new milestone on its mission to dominate the international stage.
JEONDDING MAKES DEBUT WITH TEAM VITALITY AT EVO JAPAN 2024
Jeon “Jeondding” Sanghyeon stands as a formidable player in the competitive TEKKEN 8 scene, boasting several successes and titles to his name. Recently, Jeondding ranked amongst the top two players in the Tekken 7 World Tour Grand Finals 2022 and top eight in 2023. His dominance also extends beyond the global stage, as in the same year, he emerged as the champion in both the VSFighting XI 2023 and CEO 2023 tournaments.
Recognised for his distinctive gameplay style, Jeondding has become widely known for his mastery of often overlooked characters in competitive play, such as ‘Eddy Gordo’. His ability to excel with these characters has earned him esteemed recognition within the fighting game community. Jeondding will continue to showcase his skills with ‘Eddy Gordo’ as he represents Team Vitality at EVO Japan, marking his debut on the international stage with the team from April 27th to 29th.
Beyond his skill, Jeondding’s charm shines through in LAN events. His charismatic presence strikes a perfect balance between competitive performance and entertainment, engaging fans worldwide. A passionate sports fan himself, Jeondding recognises the power of fans, electrifying the atmosphere wherever he competes!
“When I first got contacted by Team Vitality, I couldn’t believe it! I wondered if I could join a huge team like this, and now that dream has come true. While exchanging with the organisation, I started to get to know more and more about the identity of the club, watching their videos on their YouTube channel, their trophees… and it gave me goosebumps. I want to grow with this club, continue to be a great player and bring new titles on Tekken 8 for Team Vitality!” explains Jeon “Jeondding” Sanghyeon
REACHING A NEW MILESTONE ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE BEFORE ESPORTS WORLD CUP
With the latest addition of Tekken 8, Team Vitality expands its competitive game titles to eight, along with ten rosters across male and female esports circuits under its banner. This addition not only solidifies the French club’s foothold in South Korea but also marks the organisation’s return to the fighting game community. Jeondding’s participation in key international events further strengthens Team Vitality’s commitment to tackling the global esports scene, with appearances slated for TEKKEN 8 tournaments at EVO Japan, Evo and CEO.
“I’m thrilled to announce our return to the fighting game scene with TEKKEN 8. We’re especially excited to debut alongside the highly respected and renowned player Jeondding. With this title, we hope to expand Team Vitality’s fan base as we embrace the passionate fighting game community! This new game also strengthens our presence overseas, adding enormous value to Team Vitality’s journey towards international domination.“ explains Fabien “Neo” Devide, Co-founder and President of Team Vitality.
Team Vitality’s international expansion is accelerated by the multiplication of top-level international competitions, including the much-anticipated Esports World Cup in the summer of 2024. Tekken’s welcome to the Team Vitality teams marks the first part of the announcements linked to this competition. With its performance-based DNA, Team Vitality is adding another string to its bow to win new titles on the international scene.
The post TEAM VITALITY TO SET FIRE TO THE TEKKEN 8 SCENE WITH SOUTH KOREAN PLAYER JEONDDING appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
iCode, a premier coding and STEM learning program for kids, announced its latest addition to its program offerings: iSports, a one-of-a-kind esports program geared towards young gamers aged 8-13.
Starting the week of June 3, 2024, this innovative 12-week esports course will be offered across the entire iCode franchise and is dedicated to introducing students to the thrilling world of competitive gaming in a safe and secure environment. This season will revolve around the popular game Fortnite, which will feature a special iCode-only map within the platform.
“iSports will serve as a great summer activity for kids to get out of the house, but the overall goal is to foster personal development through the many dynamic skills competitive gaming requires. The iSports program places a strong emphasis on developing important life skills like sportsmanship, teamwork and strategic thinking. It will keep participants engaged and learning while school is out, and parents can rest assured knowing that their children are playing in a controlled environment,” Abid Abedi, founder and CEO of iCode, said.
Throughout the 12-week iSports season, participants will dedicate one hour per week to gameplay and skill development. All sessions are led and supervised by knowledgeable iCode coaches. Their administration along with the exclusive iCode-only map is specifically designed to provide a secure gaming experience with a safe, monitored environment. The program culminates in the opportunity to compete in a tournament-style championship to crown the best gamer across iCode national network.
iCode is partnering with MSI to supply an array of state-of-the-art gaming equipment including high-quality headsets and top-tier gaming computers equipped with speedy processors. Gamers will also have access to advanced gaming chairs for maximum efficiency and comfort. This setup will ensure that every participant enjoys a premium gaming experience, mirroring the standards of professional esports environments. In addition, MSI will provide prizes to the top iSports gamers, including one of their brand new Claw handheld gaming devices.
“MSI has been dedicated to cultivating gaming and esports for years with significant achievements. We’re thrilled and honored to partner with iCode to develop this community to another level,” David Chou, VP of Sales at MSI, said.
The International Esports Federation (IESF) has announced the European Regional Qualifiers for the 16th World Esports Championship. From July 6 to July 31, 750+ athletes from Europe will compete for a slot at WEC24, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As the only fully online event hosted by IESF in 2024, this tournament will spotlight Europe’s best esports talent across four game titles. The event will feature competition in the following categories:
- CS2 Open
- CS2 Women
- MLBB Open (Mobile Legends: Bang Bang)
- MLBB Women
- PUBG MOBILE
- DOTA2
Athletes from 43 nations will compete in the event, determined to claim victory and proceed on their journey on the “Road to Riyadh”. The national champions of the eFootball series will advance directly to WEC24.
Igor Nedeski, Esports Manager at IESF, said: “We’ve ensured that despite being exclusively online, the European Regional Qualifiers will deliver the same level of intensity and high standards as the other regional qualifiers. Athletes and fans can look forward to an exciting and competitive experience as the battle for a spot at the World Esports Championship kicks off.”
The post IESF Announces the European Regional Qualifiers for Esports World Championship appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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