Breaking news
Esports
Priaulx: Formula E success shows we can't underestimate esports
Ford World Endurance Championship driver Andy Priaulx believes it’s wrong to underestimate esports, after the success of Formula E.
Josh Suttill
Edited: Aug 19, 2018, 4:00 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Priaulx was present for the launch of the Le Mans esports Series at Silverstone, going head-to-head with factory Aston Martin driver Darren Turner on the simulators for a friendly competition.
He cited Formula E as a new idea in the sport, which like esports was initially met with great scepticism within the motorsport world - but has since assembled a grid almost entirely full of manufacturer entries.
“We’ve all got to watch it [esports], we all looked at Formula E and thought ‘I don’t think that’s going to work’ and look where it’s gone,” Priaulx told Motorsport.com at the LMES launch event.
“I think it will be the same with esports.
“It makes motorsport more accessible for the fans, the public and gives everyone the chance to perform and have their moment.
“Esports gets people to come and enjoy the sport, it’s what we love.
“We’ve been fortunate to race the real thing, but actually you can get a real buzz on the simulator when you’ve got a high level of competition.
“It’s all about performing under pressure.”
Skills "definitely transferable" to real life racing
#67 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT: Andy Priaulx, Harry Tincknell
Photo by: Marc Fleury
The three-time World Touring Car champion uses simulators to practise concentration and improve his ability to perform under pressure.
“I’ve embraced driving on simulators in the past five years,” Priaulx added.
“It’s great to get that additional experience and obviously the practice of concentration and the ability to perform under pressure is something you can practise on the simulator.
“Some of the skills you need on the simulator, definitely from the concentration perspective, minimising mistakes, learning the circuit and working out the racing lines are definitely transferable.
“Ultimately when it comes down to the feel, you need the experience in reality but I can definitely see how the way that software is evolving and improving.
“You can get closer and closer to reality.”
Gamers can find more information, register and begin qualifying for LMES here.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Opinion: Bristol Night Race win says much about SHR, Kurt Busch
Next article Mercedes and Petronas discussing new fuel projects
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Josh Suttill
Four teams lodge intention to appeal Schumacher’s Sochi win
FIA F2
FIA F2
Sochi
Sep 26, 2020
Four teams lodge intention to appeal Schumacher’s Sochi win
Mugello F2: Lundgaard dominates sprint race, Vips on podium
FIA F2
FIA F2
Mugello
Sep 13, 2020
Mugello F2: Lundgaard dominates sprint race, Vips on podium
Mugello F3: Piastri crowned champion as Lawson wins final race
FIA F3
FIA F3
Mugello
Sep 13, 2020
Mugello F3: Piastri crowned champion as Lawson wins final race
More from
Andy Priaulx
Ford reveals Logan Sargeant among first WEC Hypercar drivers
WEC
WEC 9 mo
Ford reveals Logan Sargeant among first WEC Hypercar drivers
Priaulx steps down from Lynk & Co seat for 2020 WTCR season
WTCR
WTCR Jun 15, 2020
Priaulx steps down from Lynk & Co seat for 2020 WTCR season
Macau WTCR: Priaulx completes Lynk & Co hat-trick
WTCR
WTCR
Macau
Nov 17, 2019
Macau WTCR: Priaulx completes Lynk & Co hat-trick
Latest news
Sebastien Bourdais hopes latest WEC success will remind teams of his value
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
50 min
Sebastien Bourdais hopes latest WEC success will remind teams of his value
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Iker Lecuona felt significant differences between Ducati's GP25 and GP26
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
3 h
Iker Lecuona felt significant differences between Ducati's GP25 and GP26
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe