Williams F1 Launched An Official eSports Team

Williams has launched an official eSports team to compete in a range of online sim racing competitions.

It is not a secret that the popularity of modern motorsport is in decline. High profile racing series such as the Formula 1 circus has been struggling to raise interest from the younger generation. The last few months, we have witnessed various F1 teams becoming involved in sim racing and or eSports as a tool to reach out to new, younger audiences. Today the Williams F1 team became the latest Formula One team to launch their own esports team.

All Williams eSports activities will be in the hands of Javier Guerra who is the founder of the Spanish sim racing team JIM Racing. Javier announced he already signed up three sim racing drivers to join the team. Jani Vitsaniemi, Bernardo Perez, and Javier Perez who are all members of the Apex Online Racing Team.

eSports has grown dramatically in recent years to become a huge global industry, so we’re eager to take on the challenge of growing sim racing’s place in the eSports world,” Williams eSports team manager Javier Guerra said.

 

We’re looking forward to developing our roster of drivers, offering a select number the incredible chance to become part of the Williams family.

 

Head of creative services Steven English said:  Gaming and motorsport have had strong links for many years. Now, eSports is an innovative part of the sport and entertainment landscape, so this is a natural evolution of our competitive spirit.

 

We’re ambitious about developing opportunities for our fans and our partners in this new and exciting space for us.

All of the Formula One teams, except Ferrari, have announced to set up an official eSports team to compete in the second edition of the Formula 1 eSports Pro Series.

Press Release:

eSports gives Williams an opportunity to compete in a burgeoning industry, providing both new and existing fans with opportunities to engage with the team in a diverse and accessible arena.

 

The team will run competitions for gamers to earn their place on the Williams eSports roster for a variety of sim racing competitions throughout the season. Details of these competitions, games and series will follow.

 

Williams eSports drivers will have access to the team’s factory in Oxfordshire for training and events, as well as the chance to work in the team’s Formula One simulator with technical staff and drivers including Robert Kubica. The first three drivers signed to the Williams eSports roster are: Javier Perez, Jani Vitsaniemi and Bernardo Perez.

 

Williams eSports will be managed by Javier Guerra, who founded sim racing team JIM Racing in 2011. Javier will co-ordinate and develop the team’s activities across the sim racing landscape. JIM Racing will continue as Williams JIM Racing Junior, providing another route for gamers to graduate to Williams eSports in future.

 

As part of its activity in 2018, the Williams eSports team will contest the second season of the Formula 1 eSports Pro Series.

 

Nine of the current FIA Formula 1 World Championship teams have entered the online competition, which uses the Codemasters F1 games. Teams will be able to select drivers from the Pro Draft event in July, ahead of the Pro Series races over three live events later this year.

 

Javier Guerra, Williams eSports Team Manager: “eSports has grown dramatically in recent years to become a huge global industry, so we’re eager to take on the challenge of growing sim racing’s place in the eSports world. We’re looking forward to developing our roster of drivers, offering a select number the incredible chance to become part of the Williams family.”

 

Steven English, Head of Creative Services, added: “Gaming and motorsport have had strong links for many years. Now, eSports is an innovative part of the sport and entertainment landscape, so this is a natural evolution of our competitive spirit. We’re ambitious about developing opportunities for our fans and our partners in this new and exciting space for us.”