Ferrari launches its own new Esports series

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Ferrari will launch later this year a new Esports championship open to the public that will allow its winner to join the Scuderia's FDA Hublot Esports team in 2021.

The new Ferrari Hublot Esports Series will consist of multiple events open to European individuals over the age of 18 and which will be run on the Assetto Corsa platform, with sim racers driving special Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo.

The first qualifying rounds will start in September, with drivers filtered through the various stages, which will include professional drivers invited by Ferrari, in the lead up to the finals that will take place in November and include the 12 fastest drivers from both the Am and Pro categories.

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Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will be on hand to support and coach participants along their way.

The overall winner will be offered an opportunity to join the FDA Hublot Esports team and race alongside Enzo Bonita and reigning F1 Esports champion David Tonizza.

Last year we started our experience in the F1 Esport championship, actually winning it, and I think it was just a natural step now to enter into our own sports championship,” he said.

Nicola Boari, Ferrari’s brand diversification officer said:

"I believe that there is an enormous space for Ferrari to grow its own championship," he said.

"I already said that we're starting with Europe, only this year, but we definitely plan to enlarge the scope in the future.

"And I think another very important part that hopefully we'll be able to implement when COVID is gone, is to have our own tournaments with live performances.

"That’s going to be something that for our championship could be unique."

Sim racers and games can get all the details about how to register from the series at www.ferrariesportsseries.gg.

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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.