Haas F1 Team driver Romain Grosjean has launched his own sim racing team, R8G Sim Racing Team, with the driver line-up due to be announced later this month.
The Frenchman was inspired by the success of eSports, which has become increasingly popular due to the COVID-19 crisis meaning real life competition is on hold for the time being.
“Launching my own sim racing team is a proud moment because I’m passionate about motorsport, innovation and new challenges,” said Grosjean.
“I think the team structure we have created is quite unique and will be instrumental in helping us to achieve the ambitious targets we have set.”
The team, along with support from its partners, hopes to be able to give their drivers, and in the future, other skilled sim racers, the opportunity to participate in real life events.
Through the team’s partnership with Praga Karts, the drivers will be given the chance to undertake testing for the Praga factory outfit, with the potential to compete in the X30 World Championship held at Le Mans.
Grosjean has also paired up with Triple A e-Sports, a respected technical company in the industry, with former Grand Prix winner Olivier Panis a member of its management team. Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille and Predator, who will supply the drivers with the necessary gaming hardware, have also partnered with the team, among others.
He hopes to be able to develop sim racers which have the ability into real-life racing drivers.
“We’ve all seen the talent that is emerging from sim racing and it’s impressive. Our goal is to reward and try to develop those drivers that have the potential to race for real.”
“That’s an exciting prospect for everyone involved with R8G Sim Racing Team,” he concluded.