McLaren's Zak Brown: E-sports could become F1's grassroots

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E-sports or the world of gaming could soon take Grand Prix racing by storm, says McLaren executive director Zak Brown.

McLaren recently launched its 'World Fastest Gamer' scheme which aims at recruiting a Formula 1 simulator driver from the world of virtual racing.

Speaking yesterday at Woking at an event promoting the competition, Brown believes that virtual racing is building momentum at a furious pace, and could become the grassroots of Formula 1.

"I don’t see how any F1 team can ignore the power of e-sports, the audience, the people it produces. So I’d like to think most F1 teams will do something in some way, shape or form," he said.

"This is building the grassroots of motorsports," added Brown , fresh from watching Fernando Alonso qualify fifth at Indianapolis.

"If the grassroots has historically been karting, which is still a narrow audience because it’s still expensive, I see this (gaming) as being the ultimate grassroots of motorsports, being wide and deep and everyone can afford it."

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F1's new owner, Liberty Media, has already put e-sports on its agenda as it targets gaming as a revenue opportunity. An initiative Brown fully agrees with.

"I like the sports I play and I think that’s got to be the case with most people," said Brown.

"Racing lends itself so well to e-sports that I think that’s got to generate more fans.

"I see e-sports as another racing property for us in the McLaren eco-system.

"Formula One’s always going to be the biggest planet... and I see e-sports as another one of those racing teams that McLaren has."

Could McLaren's gaming competition eventually lead to more than just driving in the simulator? Brown won't rule out the possibility.

"I’ve been asked would the gamer go into the F1 car? Maybe, maybe not," he added.

"You have to be a certain size to be in an F1 car, you don’t necessarily have to be as a gamer. You certainly have to be in unbelievable shape.

"But some previous people around gaming have gone on to drive who are darn good drivers. So I definitely wouldn’t rule it out."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.