Le Mans eSports Series: eSports becoming racing's 'new grassroots'
The Le Mans eSports Series' launch shows "it won't be long until teams discover talent through eSports", according to Zak Brown
The Automobile Club de l'Ouest announced on Friday that it would launch an eSports competition, with further details set to be released at the World Endurance Championship's Silverstone round.
eSports has taken greater prominence in motorsport, with Formula 1 having joined the gaming arena with an official series and most of its teams putting their weight behind it.
Motorsport Network's non-executive chairman Brown believes that the high costs of karting means that eSports can become the new grassroots of motorsport.
"I think eSports is here to stay and will get very big," said Brown. "It's great for the sport first and foremost because it's becoming the new grassroots of motorsport.
"Historically that's been karting, it's very expensive, few people can do it.
"eSports is a massive sport around the world and we're putting the wheel in the hands of kids, boys, girls around the world and getting more people into eSports and it's very competitive.
"It won't be long until teams discover talent through eSports."
James Allen, President, Motorsport Network EMEA added: "The Le Mans 24 Hours is the world's most iconic motor race and its partnering with Motorsport Network to launch a new eSports platform, Le Mans eSports Series, is fantastic news for gamers all over the world.
"It's going to be truly accessible, with the final at Le Mans next year."
How to take part in new Le Mans eSports Series
McLaren Formula 1 team reveals Shadow Project eSports competition
Analysis: How an unlikely tie-up won sim racing's biggest race
An unlikely partnership between LMP1 privateer Rebellion Racing and Williams Formula 1's successful sim racing team yielded victory in the inaugural 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual. Here's how it triumphed in the biggest sim race ever staged
How poor driving standards ruined IndyCar's golden opportunity
The chaotic end to the virtual Indy 175 might be dismissed as "just a game," but the insulting actions of two IndyCar stars may have serious real-life consequences
Why Leclerc's Virtual GP annihilation deserves great credit
The introduction of Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, George Russell and Antonio Giovinazzi to Formula 1's Virtual GP last weekend meant it was a step above the franchise's debut two weeks ago. But a dominant performance from Esports newcomer Leclerc stole the show
How the hidden side of being fast has been exposed
'Natural talent' is one of the biggest misnomers going in motorsport, and that is being proven by the way real life racers aren't immediately getting on the pace with the sim racing experts in virtual contests. To change that, they are having to apply the same tools required to be quick in real life
Why F1’s pantomime Virtual GP is fun but unsustainable
F1 Esports' inaugural Virtual Grand Prix last weekend provided brilliant entertainment to those tuning in to watch a mix of F1 drivers and celebrities battle on track, but was a missed opportunity for marketing its own Esports stars. A change of approach is needed if it is to successfully fill the void until the resumption of proper racing
The latest Red Bull exile to return in Esports
Since he was ejected from the programme at the end of 2006, the latest Red Bull junior driver brought back into the fold to race in Formula 1 - in a virtual sense for the inaugural Virtual GP - has had quite the career journey. From ADAC GT Masters and Porsche Supercup to Le Mans and the DTM, here's how a works pro got to relive a long-forgotten dream
Mercedes can be toppled in F1's other title race
Mercedes has not only set new standards in Formula 1, but it's also created a benchmark in Esports. Now its rivals have scrambled to catch up, there's a chance the Brendon Leigh-fronted Mercedes can be stopped
Why World's Fastest Gamer is returning to real-world racing
World's Fastest Gamer is a spiritual successor to the famous GT Academy. After a successful first year, it's returning to the Nissan programme's roots by targeting the real world of racing