Hype Energy eForce India names its official Esports drivers

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Sahara Force India is proud to announce the first ever signings for the Hype Energy eForce India team that will take part in the 2018 F1 Esports Series.

Young talents Mads Sørensen and Marcel Kiefer will join the team, along with one more driver to be signed from the upcoming F1 Esports Pro Draft on the 9th of July, to drive for the virtual Pink Panthers in this season’s competition, taking place in October and November.

The signing of two of the most exciting drivers in the esports community is a statement of intent for Hype Energy eForce India, which enters the 2018 series aiming for success in its debut season.

22-year-old Mads Sørensen is not new to the F1 Esports Series, having starred in last year’s Abu Dhabi finals where he claimed the DHL Fastest Lap Award.

The Dane, who is only in his third full season of simracing, practices for hours every day alongside his day job as a forwarding agent in a logistics company and sees his Abu Dhabi accolade as the biggest achievement in his career so far.

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German Marcel Kiefer, 19, is a novice in simracing terms, having started racing competitively only after the launch of the F1 2017 game – but what he lacks in experience, he makes up in talent.

Having qualified for the semi-finals of the 2017 F1 Esports Series, he narrowly missed out on a place in the final despite the event being the first time he raced against real drivers.

The youngster, who alternates an intensive practice programme with work in the gym and his training to become an IT analyst, sees 2018 as a season where he can make the final step to the big game.

Otmar Szafnauer of Hype Energy eForce India:

"We are delighted to welcome Marcel and Mads to the team and we are looking forward to a successful first season of simracing," said Force India COO Otmar Szafnauer.

"We also look forward to drafting our final driver into our driver line-up at the upcoming F1 Esports Pro Draft.

"We followed the inaugural F1 Esports season closely and Marcel and Mads were two of the talents that captured our attention in a very competitive field.

Beside their skills, we see them as perfect matches for the philosophy of Hype Energy eForce India – they’re young, rising stars that are ready to shock the establishment on their way to success."

As a prominent and loyal sponsor of Force India in Formula 1, and as a former F1 driver, Hype Energy Drinks CEO Bertrand Gachot is thrilled to have his company pursue its Esports venture.

"Hype Energy Drinks has been at the forefront of esports for a long time and we’re excited about unveiling the line-up of the Hype Energy eForce India team for the 2018 season of the F1 Esports Series," said Gachot.

"Mads and Marcel have impressed us with their approach, their attitude and obviously their speed.

They’re young, approachable and we cannot wait to help put the spotlight on them as they go through the development programme we have designed for them."

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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.