Alonso branches out into eSports with new team

©McLaren

Fernando Alonso is the first F1 driver to capitalize on the growing success of eSports, with the two-time world champion launching his own professional sim team.

To venture into the hugely popular world of gaming, Alonso has partnered with McLaren sponsor and computer hardware manufacturer Logitech.

The new team, called FA Racing G2 Logitech, will contest several online racing series and welcomes anyone who has the talent to perform.

"I am really excited," he said during an announcement in Abu Dhabi.

"A couple of months ago I had this proposal from one of our partners, and I thought it was a nice idea to create and link these two sports. The fans will no longer just be spectators.

World's Fastest Gamer gets official McLaren simulator role!

"The fans will be a key role in my world and they will drive for my team maybe one day. I think we all have a gamer inside us, and competition is no different.

"I am extremely happy and there are unlimited possibilities in our team.

"An elite team, professional team, racing in the best races in the world - especially here in the F1 championship, but not only here - in rFactor, the world's fastest gamer from McLaren, in the E-simulators, and that is something we will explore with time."

Earlier this week, McLaren signed 25-year-old gamer Rudy van Buren as its official sim driver.

Van Buren was the last man standing, or sitting behind the wheel, from 30,000 gamers which tackled McLaren's World Fastets Gamer competition which started last spring.

Alonso posted on social media a short video promoting his new FA Racing-G2 eSports team.

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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.