Motorsport superstars set for online Legends Trophy!

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An array of legends from F1, IndyCar and Le Mans will come together for an online sim racing challenge ahead of Saturday's The Race All-Star Esports Battle.

The special event's field will be for drivers aged 40 and will include the likes of Emerson Fittipaldi, Helio Castroneves, Dario Franchitti, Juan Pablo Montoya, Gil de Ferran, Johnny Herbert and David Brabham, to name a few of the contenders.

The current line-up boasts an incredible 455 F1 starts, 24 F1 wins, 2378 IndyCar starts, 177 IndyCar wins plus eight overall or class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

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The format will consist of qualifying deciding the starting order for the Esports race conducted on the rFactor 2 racing platform.

The Legends Trophy will take place as a prelude to Saturday's third round of The Race's All-Star Esport Battle which will feature Felix Rosenqvist, Nelson Piquet Jr., Marcus Ericsson, Esteban Gutiérrez, Alexander Rossi, James Davison and Colton Herta, among the pro racers.

"Simulators are extremely important because technically, they are so close to driving the real thing," said Fittipaldi.

"You learn the track before you even arrive – where to brake, where to turn, even before arriving at any track in the world. And the feedback for the driver, the reaction, the reflex, the coordination, it’s a mental test and mental development for a young driver.

"I wish, in my time, we had simulators. My life would be much easier!"

©WRI2

Three-time Indy 500 winner can't wait to duke it out online with a few of his former IndyCar rivals.

"I’m really looking forward to this event and a chance to race with my old mates and competitors once again, hopefully with some really lairy cars and on a great track," said the Scot.

"I got introduced to the sim world via Darren Turner and his Base Simulator business and I am loving getting to grips some mega cars of yesteryear.

"The Legends grid that The Race has put together looks tremendous with some great buddies and old adversaries. It will be interesting to see which of the old men have reading glasses and which have bi-focals!"

Both the Legends Trophy and the main All-Star Esports Battle will be streamed live on The Race's Youtube channel from 4PM UK time (12Pm EST and 5PM CET).

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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.