In the round-up: Williams’ esports team has apologised after an investigation into controversial incidents during the Daytona 24 Hours iRacing event.
In brief
Williams esports team apologises after ‘unacceptable conduct’ in iRacing event
Williams’ esports team has apologised after an investigation which determined some of the team breached its conduct standards in last week’s Daytona 24 Hours iRacing round.
Williams Esports cars took overall victory in the top split of the endurance simracing event last weekend and third place in the GT class. However, the team was heavily criticised for the manner in which they secured pole position for the race, running on the apron instead of the banking in violation of iRacing rules.
The team was also accused of using unsporting tactics with its second GT car which fell many laps behind in the race. The drivers appeared to ignore blue flags and delay rival cars at times which observers claim was done to assist their team mates. Williams have apologised to their competitors following their investigations.
“We find that the actions of some members of the Williams Esports team breached our standard for acceptable team conduct,” they said in a statement. “We apologise wholeheartedly for that, both to our fellow competitors and to the wider esports community.”
“Williams Esports, as a key player in the industry, is continuously committed to working with game developers and tournament organisers to ensure consistent enforcement of clear regulations and consequences for breaches. Accountability, integrity and regulation are key to the continued growth and sustainability of simracing, and of the wider esports industry and we are committed to driving that forward.”
Mercedes named among FTX creditors
The Mercedes Formula 1 team is named among the thousands of creditors of collapsed crypto exchange FTX, which also includes several of the world’s most famous companies. Mercedes removed FTX’s logos from its cars at the Brazilian Grand Prix – where the team scored its only victory of 2022 – as the exchange plunged into bankruptcy.
The full list of FTX’s creditors runs to more than 100 pages. Other companies owed money by FTX include Meta – the owner of Facebook and Instagram – Apple and Netflix. The top 50 creditors are owed over $3 billion (£2.4bn) between them, according to reports.
Vettel holds “huge admiration” for rally drivers ahead of ROC
Retired four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel praised rally drivers’ “incredible skill” ahead of his appearance in the Race of Champions event in Sweden this weekend.
Vettel reached the final of the Champion of Champions event in 2022, also held in the Swedish snow, to multiple World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb. Vettel says he lacks in skill compared to the experienced rally racers in the field.
“I have a huge admiration for rally drivers,” Vettel said. “I think it’s an incredible skill.
“Obviously, this is a tiny glimpse of what it might feel to do a rally, but it feels like I arrive with a screwdriver and a hammer, like two tools, whereas they arrive to turn one with the whole toolbox set – whatever might happen, they have the right fitting tool! I think it’s a great sport. There is the racing element and the skill, but it’s very different in many ways.”
Garcia joins FIA F3 with Jenzer for 2023
Alejandro Garcia will compete in this year’s FIA F3 championship after becoming the first of the Jenzer Motorsport’s drivers to be announced for 2023.
The 19-year-old raced in the Euroformula Open championship in 2022, finishing in seventh place in the drivers’ standings. He also took part in the 2022 post-season test in Jerez with the team completing 174 laps across the three days
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
On a mission to drive diversity & inclusion in motorsport (McLaren)
“When it comes to recruitment, it’s not just about hiring the very best team members, it’s about giving opportunities to people who wouldn’t otherwise have gotten them, bringing in people from diverse backgrounds, who can provide different perspectives, and giving them the very best experience and a platform to succeed.”
Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is now live on stream with KICK.com (Sauber)
“Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake will make a decisive entry into the world of streaming as it launches a major partnership with KICK, an innovative and community-driven live streaming platform built for and targeting a global audience.”
A Beginner’s Guide to Formula 1 in 2023 (Williams)
“Whether you’re new to the fast-paced world of Formula 1, or simply need a refresher ahead of the 2023 season, here’s everything you need to know about the pinnacle of motorsport this year.”
F1 supplier rents bigger warehouse ahead of Las Vegas race (Las Vegas Review Journal)
“He said that the company is providing several ‘multi-level hospitality structures’ for the F1 race and that they’re more like luxury suites. For the most part, they will be along Koval Lane just east of the Strip.”
Nikita Mazepin to make racing return with British team after his Haas F1 axe (Mirror)
“The Russian has signed up to compete in the Asian Le Mans Series, made up of four races due to take place across two weekends in February. He will be one of three drivers representing the UK-based 99 Racing, along with former McLaren junior Ben Barnicoat and Spanish racer Felix Porteiro. They will be driving an ORECA 07 LMP2 prototype in the series, which includes the 4hrs of Dubai and 4hrs of Abu Dhabi.”
Evans: ‘Pound-for-pound, Formula E is the strongest out there’ (GQ)
“There are a lot of incredible drivers in Formula 1 and I don’t want it to be taken wrongly when I say this, because you just sound like an idiot, but as a pure average, pound-for-pound, I believe FE is the strongest out there. In FE, I can win or come last. Every weekend I have the opportunity to win, and so does everyone else. It’s just more competitive by nature.”
Motorsport UK launches pioneering Esports Hub (Motorsport UK)
“Motorsport UK has launched a pioneering Esports Hub to grow the community of new and experienced drivers, providing value, insight and benefits around the discipline. Access to the Motorsport UK Esports Hub is free with the option of an annual paid member subscription providing a range of unique benefits and discounts on equipment, setups, coaching and early access to Motorsport UK community events.”
Le Mans Virtual 2023 – Statement (Studio 397)
“Once again, we apologise to fans and participants of this event for the obvious frustrations these incidents have caused. Issues like these are massively frustrating to all involved in such a considerable production, and we remain determined to use the 2023 event as a platform to expand our knowledge and experience, to help build in a stronger, more robust set of solutions for every online player of rFactor 2.”
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
All fired up ahead of the season! 👊 @OscarPiastri pic.twitter.com/dt50Tj5bdx
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) January 27, 2023
Taking time out to say hello to the team at AMF1 HQ. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/2E01t6YHr2
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) January 27, 2023
A snippet of what’s to come… 🔊 #Alpine #F1 pic.twitter.com/HsKknMYCOl
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) January 27, 2023
Seb and me are up for a 9th win at the RoC Nations Cup for Team Germany tomorrow! #ROCSweden @RaceOfChampions
12:00 CET on https://t.co/3HZbTxTfh4 pic.twitter.com/buqpvCh9RM— Mick Schumacher (@SchumacherMick) January 27, 2023
Unfortunately due to damage sustained in qualifying, @maxg_official will not be taking part in this evening’s Diriyah E-Prix.
As repair work continues, the team’s full focus is on readying Edo’s car for the race.#DiriyahEPrix pic.twitter.com/53ChW0Cnfm
— Maserati MSG Racing (@maseratimsg) January 27, 2023
How on earth did us sim racers end up here 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Ho33Gb7ZQ1
— Lucas Blakeley (@LucasBlakeley01) January 27, 2023
F1 22 is a bloody mess
The drivers don’t enjoy racing on it and there’s a serious cheating problem
We’ve just had to ban someone CLEARLY cheating in PC F11, yes F11, our LOWEST tier…
Let’s not mention allegations in other tiers
Game’s a farce for too many reasons
— Connor (@BigC_019) January 26, 2023
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Hoshi and Kingshark!
