Gfinity is happy to announce that it is continuing its relationship with Formula 1® and Codemasters, the publisher of the official game of the FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, and has been retained as Events Partner for season two of the F1 Esports Series. The second season of the Formula 1 Esports Series will start on 13th April and will see Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport, Red Bull Racing, Force India F1 Team, Williams, Renault Sport F1 Team, Haas F1 Team, McLaren, Toro Rosso and Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team set up their own esports teams to compete in the F1 Esports Series 2018.The competition, open to everyone on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and PC, launches with four in-game online events on F1™ 2017. The fastest ten players on each gaming platform will race off in a live-streamed event with the top three on each platform qualifying for the first ever Pro Draft and the chance to be signed by one of nine teams.The official esports drivers will then represent their teams in the second half of the season as they race in the three live events that will determine the 2018 F1 Esports Series Teams’ and Drivers’ World Champions with a prize fund of at least $200,000.Following the success of the inaugural competition last year, which saw Great Britain’s Brendon Leigh crowned as the first ever champion in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 has renewed its partnership with Codemasters and Gfinity for the 2018 F1 Esports Series.
Neville Upton, CEO at Gfinity said:
“We are excited to be retained by Formula 1 as the events partner. F1 and Codemasters maximised the true potential last year by fully integrating the F1 Esports Series into the final Grand Prix weekend in Abu Dhabi through both their linear TV partners and streaming platforms and we look forward to building on that success in season two with more events and broadcast opportunities.”
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.”
Frank Sagnier, CEO at Codemasters said:
“Codemasters is extremely proud to be involved in the F1 Esports Series. The quality of the racing we saw during last year’s series was spectacular and the integration of the teams for the coming season is going to take the competition and its promotion to the next level. We strongly believe that Esports is a platform that allows us to engage with a wide, diverse audience in addition to our traditional gaming community.”