Igor Fraga - sim racer turned F3 driver - joins Red Bull juniors

Former Esports star Igor Fraga who has crossed over into the real world of racing has joined Red Bull's young driver program.

The 21-year-old Japanese-born Brazilian made a name for himself in sim racing, winning the FIA Gran Turismo Nations Cup in 2018 as well as the McLaren Shadow project.

Fraga, who has plenty of real-world racing experience under his belt, having competed in the 2017-18 NACAM Formula 4 and finishing third in last year's Formula Regional European Championship, joined this year Charouz Racing System's line-up for the 2020 FIA Formula 3 championship, where he'll be racing alongside new team mates David Schumacher and Niko Kari in 2020.

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"For me, joining the Red Bull Junior programme is a very important thing in my career," Fraga said.

"Since I was very little, I have dreamed about becoming a Formula 1 world champion. But through my career I have realised how hard that is to achieve. But I have never given up and always kept trying.

"I went a different way by racing in eSports and winning the FIA Gran Turismo Nations Cup changed things for me.

"Since then, I felt I could have a real chance. Now becoming a Red Bull Junior makes my dream even more alive and gives me extra motivation to keep going forward."

©Formula3

Fraga warmed up to his 2020 season by winning the Toyota Racing Series title in New Zealand, defeating fellow Red Bull charger Liam Lawson.

Fraga's campaign in F3 was due to start next weekend in Bahrain. But the global coronavirus pandemic has forced the event's cancellation.

Red Bull's junior programme also includes Sergio Sette Camara, Juri Vips, Jehan Daruvala, Yuki Tsunoda, Jack Doohan, Dennis Hauger and Jak Crawford.

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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.