An Irvine teenager is hoping his go-karting background can help him become the Lewis Hamilton of the virtual racing world.
Lucas Blakely, 18, is a rising star in Formula One Esports – the hugely popular video game version of the motorsport.
The former Greenwood Academy pupil recently came through a field of 109,000 gamers to win one of only 10 spots in the FI Esports Series Pro Series.
He will now become a ‘driver’ for an official F1 team and take part in a series of 12 virtual races with an overall prize fund of $500,000 up for grabs.
Lucas was a promising schoolboy go-karter until he was forced to give it up a few years ago due to the expensive nature of the sport.
But he reckons his experience of real racing could now pay off via a gaming controller.
He said: “You can’t match the thrill and adrenaline you get from real racing but the skill sets are very similar.
“People might say ‘It’s just a video game’ but the controls are just the same and setting up the car is just as complicated.
“I think my background definitely gives me the edge on some of my competitors.
“Even real F1 drivers use simulations to replicate getting out on the track – that shows you how accurate and life like they are.
“I never wanted to give up racing but this is a close second and I’m very passionate about it.
“It’s a big deal these days and this is where my focus is now. I’m determined to make a career out of it.”
F1 Esports was created in 2017 to involve the official Formula 1 video game and its community of players.
A year later the official Formula 1 teams joined the programme to set up their own esports teams to compete in the Formula 1 Esports Series championship.
The season opens with online qualification across the globe. The field is then whittled down to the fastest 41 players who enter the Pro Draft.
From there, the official Formula 1 teams select their drivers to represent them in the F1 Esports Pro Series championships.
This year’s draft was streamed online on Facebook, YouTube and Twitch, and broadcast live on TV around the world with an X-Factor style show.
Lewis, who plans to study mechanical engineering, was selected to e-drive for SportPesa Racing Point F1 Esports Team and is now preparing to head back to Silverstone for the 12 races contested over four live events. These will take place on September 11, October 2, November 6 and culminate at the grand finale on December 4. The races will determine the 2019 F1 New Balance Esports Series Teams’ and Drivers’ World Champions.
Lewis added: “I’m not a confident person generally but I have absolute belief in my skills. If I didn’t I wouldn’t bother entering.”
