f1 2018 - Codemasters - Racing Ahead

Formula 1 New Balance Esports Series To Kick Off Its Third Season

April 2nd, 2019 by Isher Dhillon

Formula 1®, the pinnacle of motorsport, has announced that the third instalment of the F1 New Balance Esports Series will kick off on 8 April 2019. Building on the success of last year, the stakes for the 2019 season have been raised. Not only has the Series been extended to include even more adrenaline fuelled racing, but the official F1 teams will be battling it out for more than double the prize money – with a staggering $500,000 prize fund to be won.

Like the 2018 season, which reached a record audience of 5.5 million viewers across selected TV networks and a dedicated live stream, this season will be split into Qualifying, a Pro Draft and the Pro Series. However, each segment of the 2019 Series has been expanded, making this the biggest and most ambitious season yet.

A longer qualifying window will give even more of the world’s top drivers and aspiring gamers the chance to compete for a place in the prestigious Pro Draft. All entrants will compete in F1 2018, the official game of the FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and PC.

For the first time ever, one lucky esports fan will also be given the unique opportunity to experience the adrenaline and excitement of both the 2019 F1 New Balance Esports Series and real-world F1. An all-expenses paid trip to the Pro Draft, as well as tickets to the Formula 1 Rolex British Grand Prix on 14 July is up for grabs. To enter, fans simply need to complete one attempt during the three online qualifying events hosted between April and May as well as ensure they are signed up and registered on www.f1esports.com, with the winner chosen via a random prize draw.

The Pro Draft will take place over two days in July and is where the official F1 teams will select the drivers they want to add to their roster to represent them in the Pro Series. A series of high stakes race-offs on day one will identify the best of the best from the drivers that qualified. The slowest drivers will be eliminated, while the fastest will make up the final pool from which the teams will make their picks on day two. Every official F1 team must select at least one of its drivers from the Pro Draft.

The expanded season means that at the Pro Series, the official F1 teams and their drivers will now compete in four live events, compared to just three events last year, between September and December 2019. These races will determine the 2019 F1 New Balance Esports Series Teams’ and Drivers’ World Champions, with an increased prize fund of $500,000.

Following the success of the competition last year, which saw Great Britain’s Brendon Leigh crowned champion for the second time, F1 has renewed its partnership with Codemasters and Gfinity for the 2019 F1 New Balance Esports Series. New Balance, the footwear and lifestyle brand, will remain as Title Partner and will be fully integrated into the Series, with all drivers wearing New Balance socks and shoes whilst racing in the Pro Series. Fanatec also remain on board as Official Sponsor, supplying the championship with elite and advanced equipment.

The 2019 F1 New Balance Esports Pro Series will also follow the World Championship rule change, to award the driver of the Fastest Lap a point, and DHL will once again reward the overall winner of the Fastest Lap with an award. Plus, to celebrate their 50th anniversary, DHL are working with F1 to deliver the time-trial invitational event ahead of the Pro Draft.

A new and exclusive agreement with Juss Intellisport Co. Ltd will also bring the electrifying world of F1 Esports to China for the first time ever. The F1 New Balance Esports Series – China Championship will launch in the late summer of 2019, expanding F1’s reach and presence in one of the leading esports nations in the world. A special event will take place at the Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2019 to celebrate this landmark moment at F1’s 1000th Grand Prix, signalling the progression, new era and refreshed direction of F1. Top Chinese gamers will be invited to race off in a warm up exhibition event ahead of the full launch of the China Championship later in the year. The China Championship will give a select number of the fastest and most skilled Chinese gamers automatic entry into the prestigious Pro Draft in 2020.

Sean Bratches, Managing Director, Commercial Operations at Formula 1, said: “Last season was a decisive year for F1 Esports with the inclusion of the first official teams and record audience figures. As we move into this 2019 season, F1 will remain at the forefront of this explosive industry. The potential within this space is extremely exciting both as a commercial opportunity, but importantly, as a way for the sport to engage with the next generation of motorsport fans. We are committed to exponential growth in the world of esports, and as a result the 2019 season is going to be even bigger and better. Having more than doubled the prize fund, we plan to attract even more talent to the series and to continue the upward trajectory we are on.”

Frank Sagnier, CEO at Codemasters, said: “The F1 New Balance Esports Series creates exciting opportunities for Codemasters to further engage with our core community and develop experiences for fans with a passion for both virtual and real-world racing. We’re always investigating ways to better integrate esports into our F1 games, as this will encourage more players to test their race skills against the top professionals, and we look forward to welcoming the new talent who will emerge this season.”

Garry Cook, Executive Chairman at Gfinity plc, said: “F1 New Balance Esports Series has captured the imagination of the global gaming community. It delivers incredible racing and through entertaining content, such as the draft show, gives fans a reason to care about the drivers. Esports fans want it all. They want the back stories, the drivers’ journeys to greatness, the emotion of being chosen to represent an F1 team. And they want to experience daring manoeuvres on the track. F1 New Balance Esports Series delivers this. That is why a new and younger audience is embracing the F1 story. Series 3 is going to be bigger, bolder and more entertaining than ever.”

For more information on the 2019 F1 New Balance Esports Series visit www.f1esports.com.

Claire Edwards, Communications Manager E: CEdwards@F1.com M: +44 (0)7876 859 634

Formula 1 Press Office E: f1media@f1.com T: @f1media

Edelman Press Office E: Formula1@edelman.com

About Formula 1® Formula 1® racing began in 1950 and is the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition, as well as the world’s most popular annual sporting series. The 2019 FIA Formula One World Championship™ runs from March to December and spans 21 races in 21 countries across five continents. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1® and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship™. Formula 1® is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LSXMA, LSXMB, LSXMK, BATRA, BATRK, FWONA, FWONK) attributed to the Formula One Group tracking stock. The F1 logo, F1 FORMULA 1 logo, FORMULA
1, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX, PADDOCK CLUB and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula 1 company. All rights reserved.

About esports Esports (electronic sports) is watching or playing competitive video gaming. Leading titles include League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Defense of the Ancients 2 (DotA 2), Call of Duty and Rocket League. The industry is growing rapidly, with new communities developing around more and more titles. The global esports market generated US$493 million of revenue in 2016 and is expected to make $1.5 billion by 2020. The global esports audience in 2017 was 191 million people, 80% under the age of 35 and 70% male (source: Newzoo). Online streaming channels Twitch and YouTube command the biggest audiences, although esports events are also now being broadcast on conventional TV. The 2015 League of Legends Championships finals in Berlin were watched by 36 million people, with a peak concurrent viewership of 14 million viewers, while at DotA 2’s flagship annual championship ‘The International 2016’ competitors from around the world competed for a prize pot of over $20 million.

F1 New Balance Esports Series 2018 Watched By 4.4 Million

December 6th, 2018 by Isher Dhillon

Bringing the excitement and exhilaration of Formula 1® to a new generation of fans around the globe, the award winning 2018 F1 New Balance Esports Series drew a record audience of 1.2 million across selected TV networks and 3.2 million people on a dedicated live stream.

Cementing F1’s position at the forefront of the e-racing wave, over 100 million social media impressions and 20 million online video views of F1 Esports content were accumulated over the course of the series. In a clear demonstration of how the sport is reaching a new, younger more digitally minded audience, 70% of viewers tuning in to watch the final were below 34 years old.

The dramatic 2018 season culminated with Brendon Leigh securing his second Drivers’ Championship title in a row after his 2017 success in Abu Dhabi. His clear dominance of the series, combined with teammate Daniel Bereznay’s second place, also propelled Mercedes AMG Petronas Esports to victory in the first ever Teams’ Championship.

Sean Bratches, Managing Director, Commercial Operations at Formula 1 said:
“2018 was a pivotal year for our efforts with respect to Formula 1 Esports as it saw the inclusion of the first official teams and built firm foundations for the future success of the series. The exponential growth in esports is a material fan engagement and commercial opportunity for us on myriad fronts and we plan to remain in the vanguard as we move into the 2019 season. Our continued focus will be on broadening opportunities for the next generation of motorsport fans and brands that understand the value of this audience and are hence investing in this space. Formula 1’s message is clear that esports is an open door for anyone with a passion for gaming and racing.”

The F1 New Balance Esports Series brought together the most talented motorsport gamers in the world for the second year in a row. This year, the drivers had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a Formula 1 team and to race with the backing of some of the most prestigious names in motor racing, following an intensive selection process.

Some 66,000 players competed over four online qualifying rounds earlier in the year to secure a coveted place in the inaugural F1 Esports Pro Draft in July. Over the course of the qualifying period 1.1 million laps were completed on F1 2017, the official game of the FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and PC. At the Pro Draft the F1 teams then selected a total of 16 drivers from nine countries – such as the UK, Germany and Finland to as far away as Chile – to move forward with them to the Pro Series Championship.

The exciting finale of the award-winning F1 New Balance Esports Series, the Pro Series comprised of three live broadcasted events held in London, UK. A total of 26 drivers representing 12 different nationalities joined their F1 Esports teams to compete on the F1 2018 official video game developed by Codemasters, for the coveted prize fund of $200,000 – allocated to the teams based on their positions in the team standings. More than 3,000 laps were completed, covering at least 1,000km of virtual track and taking over four hours of combined race time.

Frank Arthofer, Director of Digital and New Business at Formula 1 said:
“The viewing figures for this year’s series are a testament to the series’ growing interest and engagement with a new audience. The younger generation has truly embraced the F1 Esports Series. Looking to next year it is our ambition to continue to grow participation and engagement with the series and we will be building on various elements, such as giving fans the opportunity to go from living room to podium, which has clearly resonated with this audience.”

Julian Tan, Head of Growth & F1 Esports at Formula 1 said:
“The 2018 F1 Esports Series has been a resounding success, and it’s fantastic to see such a strong response in the viewing figures and levels of engagement. We have also had great partners in New Balance, DHL and Fanatec come on board to support the programme. With esports being a new direction for F1, we came into this season with a test and learn approach, and this is something we will continue into 2019. The introduction of components such as the Pro Draft mechanic helped to drive another layer of excitement that captured imaginations, and a key goal for next year will be to continue to move towards building a
sustainable series structure.”

The F1 New Balance Esports Series was operated in partnership with Codemasters, the developer and publisher of the official Formula 1 video game franchise and Gfinity, one of the world’s leading esports companies. New Balance was named the title sponsor of the competition, joining the established sponsors DHL and Fanatec.

For more information on the F1 New Balance Esports Series visit www.f1esports.com.

Norman Howell, Director of Communications, Formula 1
E: nhowell@f1.com
M: +44 (0)7920 181 929

Formula 1 Press Office
E: f1media@f1.com
T: @f1media

Edelman Press Office
E: Formula1@edelman.com

About Formula 1®
Formula 1® racing began in 1950 and is the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition, as well as the world’s most popular annual sporting series. The 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship™ runs from March to November and spans 21 races in 21 countries across five continents. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1 and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship™.

Formula 1 is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LSXMA, LSXMB, LSXMK, BATRA, BATRK, FWONA, FWONK) attributed to the Formula One Group tracking stock.

About esports
Esports (electronic sports) is watching or playing competitive video gaming. Leading titles include League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Defence of the Ancients 2 (DotA 2), Call of Duty and Rocket League. The industry is growing rapidly, with new communities developing around more and more titles. The global esports market generated US$493 million of revenue in 2016 and is expected to make $1.5 billion by 2020. The global esports audience in 2017 was 191 million people, 80% under the age of 35 and 70% male (source: Newzoo). Online streaming channels Twitch and YouTube command the biggest audiences, although esports events are also now being broadcast on conventional TV. The 2015 League of Legends Championships finals in Berlin were watched by 36 million people, with a peak concurrent viewership of 14 million viewers, while at DotA 2’s flagship annual championship ‘The International 2016’ competitors from around the world competed for a prize pot of over $20 million.

About Codemasters
Codemasters (AIM:CDM) is an award-winning British video game developer and publisher with over 30 years of heritage. The company specialises in high quality racing games including DiRT, GRID, ONRUSH and the BAFTA award-winning official F1® series of videogames.

For more information on Codemasters’ product portfolio, please visit www.codemasters.com. Join in the conversation with @codemasters on Twitter or Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/codemasters.

About Gfinity
Founded in 2012, Gfinity has established itself as one of the world’s leading esports companies. The London-based business enjoys strong relationships with game publishers, players and the wider esports community and has built a solid reputation for delivering high quality competitions, both on-line at www.gfinityesports.com and off-line, in addition to producing industry leading esports broadcasts. The Gfinity Esports Arena at Fulham Broadway, London is the home of UK esports showcasing regular tournaments across the full range of competitive games. Beyond its own tournaments Gfinity provides a full turnkey solution for brands wanting to create their own esports tournaments and has staged premium esports events around the globe for leading publishers and brands including Formula 1, Microsoft, Activision, EA, Xbox, Gillette and HP.

Mercedes Dominant In F1 New Balance Esports Pro Series

November 2nd, 2018 by Isher Dhillon

Mercedes continues to dominate both the Formula 1 real world and the virtual one. As Lewis Hamilton secured his fifth FIA Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship at the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend, reigning F1 Esports champion Brendon Leigh – who now has a 43-point lead on Frederik Rasmussen– is on track to secure his second title. Mercedes AMG Petronas Esports leads the Teams’ Championship with 208 points, with Toro Rosso Esports Teams second (137) and Red Bull Racing Esports third (59).

The first race of the event was held at the Circuit Paul Ricard, where the French Grand Prix took place last June. With two laps to go, Leigh and Toro Rosso’s Frederik Rasmussen made contact in their battle for the lead, with the Dane finishing off track and then overtaken by his teammate Patrik Holzmann. Leigh was initially given a five second penalty as a result, but then the decision was later reversed by the stewards – securing him the win.

Silverstone was the stage for the second race of the event and the continuing battle between Leigh and Rasmussen. After Hype Energy eForce India’s Donoso Delgado was given a penalty for speeding in the pit lane, Leigh and Rasmussen were left to fight it out for the race win. The Mercedes driver eventually secured his fourth win, followed by Rasmussen in second. The podium was rounded out by Hype Energy eForce India’s Marcel Kiefer.

The final race of the event took place at the infamous Spa-Francorchamps. With Mercedes AMG Petronas Esports’ Daniel Bereznay out in front by some margin, an intense battle for the other podium place developed on the final lap. Red Bull Racing Esports Team’s Joni Tormala took second after Donoso Delgado was given a penalty for exceeding track limits. Rasmussen stole third in the four-way battle across the line, with Sauber F1 Esports Team’s Salih Saltunc taking fourth from Leigh on the final straight.

The second Pro Series event was streamed live via Facebook and broadcast globally on selected TV networks. Viewing figures are expected to be strong, after the first live event of the Pro Series accumulated 23m impressions and 3.2m views on social media, bringing the excitement and exhilaration of Formula 1 to a new generation of fans across the globe.

The F1 New Balance Esports Pro Series has brought together the most talented motorsport gamers in the world for the second year in a row. This year, the drivers had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race with the backing of some of the most prestigious names in motor racing following an intensive selection process.

The Pro Series comprises of three live events held at London’s Gfinity Esports Arena, with drivers competing for the coveted prize fund of $200,000 – allocated to the teams based on their positions in the team standings. The most recent event was the second in the series and is followed by the Grand Final across November 16th and 17th.

The Pro Series is the exciting finale of the award-winning F1 New Balance Esports Series, which saw 66,000 players compete over four online qualifying rounds earlier in the year to secure a coveted place in the inaugural F1 Esports Pro Draft in July. At which they completed 1.1 million laps in F1 2017, the official game of the FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™ on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and PC. The Pro Series is the first time that the competing drivers have raced on F1 2018, which was released on 24th August 2018.

Julian Tan, Head of Growth & F1 Esports at Formula 1 said:

“The second Pro Series event has delivered another round of dramatic racing – with millions of fans watching around the world. It’s great to see that the F1 Esports Pro Series has captured imaginations and is bringing the excitement and exhilaration of Formula 1 to a new generation of fans across the globe. Like all those watching, we’re excited to see how the season ends at the final in a few weeks, and who will be crowned the driver and constructor champions.”

Paul Jeal, F1 Franchise Director at Codemasters said:

“Once again we have been blown away by the quality of the racing in the F1 Esports Pro Series. The involvement of the Formula 1 teams has helped to lift competition to the next level. It is a fantastic showcase for our F1 2018 game and we cannot wait for the final round in November.”

Mark Brittain, Chief Commercial Officer at Gfinity said:

“We saw the pinnacle of F1 Esports tonight at the Gfinity Arena and the worldwide audience was treated to an incredible masterclass by all the drivers. The action was intense, from lights out to the chequered flag and tonight provided another example of huge opportunities available through the convergence of real and digital sports. We look forward to welcoming back the drivers and to crown the 2018 F1 New Balance Esports Series Champion.”

The F1 New Balance Esports Series is operated in partnership with Codemasters, the developer and publisher of the official Formula 1 video game franchise and Gfinity, one of the world’s leading esports companies. New Balance was recently named the title sponsor of the competition, joining the established sponsors DHL and Fanatec.

To celebrate their title partnership of the F1 Esports New Balance Pro Series, New Balance will be opening up its flagship store on Saturday November 3 and Sunday November 4 to give fans a chance to win tickets to the F1 Esports Grand Final on November 17, plus £500 worth of New Balance product. F1 racing simulators will be set up and open to the public in both New Balance and JD Sports on London’s Oxford Street for the whole weekend, giving everyone the chance to get out on the virtual racetrack and find out more about the competition. For more information please visit https://www.newbalance.co.uk/f1esports

For more information on the F1 New Balance Esports Series visit www.f1esports.com or follow all the action on F1’s official Facebook page.

Race 1 Results

Race 2 Results

Race Results 3

Driver’s and Team’s Championships Standings

Norman Howell, Director of Communications, Formula 1 E: nhowell@f1.com M: +44 (0)7920 181 929

Formula 1 Press Office E: f1media@f1.com T: @f1media

Edelman Press Office E: Formula1@edelman.com

About Formula 1® Formula 1® racing began in 1950 and is the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition, as well as the world’s most popular annual sporting series. The 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship™ runs from March to November and spans 21 races in 21 countries across five continents. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1 and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship™.

Formula 1 is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LSXMA, LSXMB, LSXMK, BATRA, BATRK, FWONA, FWONK) attributed to the Formula One Group tracking stock.

About Codemasters Codemasters (AIM:CDM) is an award winning British video game developer and publisher with over 30 years of heritage. The company specialises in high quality racing games including DiRT, GRID, ONRUSH and the BAFTA award-winning official F1® series of videogames.

About Gfinity Founded in 2012, Gfinity has established itself as one of the world’s leading esports companies. The London-based business enjoys strong relationships with game publishers, players and the wider esports community and has built a solid reputation for delivering high quality competitions, both on-line at www.gfinityesports.com and off-line, in addition to producing industry leading esports broadcasts. The Gfinity Esports Arena at Fulham Broadway, London is the home of UK esports showcasing regular tournaments across the full range of competitive games. Beyond its own tournaments Gfinity provides a
full turnkey solution for brands wanting to create their own esports tournaments and has staged premium esports events around the globe for leading publishers and brands including Formula 1, Microsoft, Activision, EA, Xbox, Gillette and HP.

About esports Esports (electronic sports) is watching or playing competitive video gaming. Leading titles include League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Defence of the Ancients 2 (DotA 2), Call of Duty and Rocket League. The industry is growing rapidly, with new communities developing around more and more titles. The global esports market generated US$493 million of revenue in 2016 and is expected to make $1.5 billion by 2020. The global esports audience in 2017 was 191 million people, 80% under the age of 35 and 70% male (source: Newzoo). Online streaming channels Twitch and YouTube command the biggest audiences, although esports events are also now being broadcast on conventional TV. The 2015 League of Legends Championships finals in Berlin were watched by 36 million people, with a peak concurrent viewership of 14 million viewers, while at DotA 2’s flagship annual championship ‘The International 2016’ competitors from around the world competed for a prize pot of over $20 million.

Mercedes Leads F1 New Balance Esports Pro Series

October 12th, 2018 by Isher Dhillon

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports driver Brendon Leigh tops the leader board, winning two out of three races at the first event of the F1 New Balance Esports Pro Series, Toro Rosso Esports Team’s Frederik Rasmussen is in second place, but with Leigh’s team-mate Daniel Bereznay in third place, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports sits firmly at the top of the constructor standings.

This first Pro Series live event was held at London’s Gfinity Esports Arena and streamed live via Facebook. Across social media the event has reached 2 million people and generated 1.2 million views to date. It was also broadcast globally on selected TV networks – bringing the excitement and exhilaration of Formula 1 to a new generation of fans across the globe

Dominating in both the real-world and virtual world of Formula 1®, Mercedes and its drivers have had a strong start to the Series. Mirroring the drama of the 2018 Formula One World Championship, in which Lewis Hamilton is approaching his fifth championship, reigning F1 Esports champion Leigh is now targeting a second title in the Pro Series.

The first race of the Pro Series saw the drivers take on the Australian Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne. In full control from beginning to end, Leigh started from pole position to take his first win. Then came Tino Naukkarinen of Williams Esports, followed by Red Bull Racing Esports Team’s Joni Tormala in third.

The second Grand Prix was at the Shanghai International Circuit in China. A dramatic race unfolded that saw Leigh work his way up the field from fifth, to secure his second win. Second place went to Toro Rosso Esports Team’s Frederik Rasmussen, with Daniel Bereznay of Mercedes in third.

The infamous street circuit of Baku was the stage for the final race, and it turned out to be a tense battle. Bereznay led for much of the race, only to be overtaken in a nerve-wracking few corners by both Rasmussen and teammate Leigh. The race reached a dramatic end on the final lap with Leigh overtaking Rasmussen, only for the Danish driver to steal the win from Leigh on the finish line. Bereznay crossed the line in third.

The overall standings so far are:

The Pro Series comprises of three live events held at London’s Gfinity Esports Arena, with drivers competing for the coveted prize fund of $200,000 – allocated to the teams based on their positions in the team standings. The second event will take place on October 31st followed by the Grand Final across November 16th and 17th.

The Pro Series is the exciting finale of the award-winning F1 New Balance Esports Series, which saw 66,000 players compete over four online qualifying rounds earlier in the year to secure a coveted place in the inaugural F1 Esports Pro Draft in July. Completing 1.1 million laps in F1 2017, the official game of the FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™ on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and PC. The Pro Series was the first time that the competing drivers raced on F1 2018, which was released on 24th August 2018.

Julian Tan, Head of Growth & F1 Esports at Formula 1 said:
“The Pro Series is the opportunity for our seriously skilled drivers to show just how capable they are, and the performances we saw at the first live event did not disappoint. With months of hard work under their belts in the lead-up to the competition, there is everything to play for. With fans watching across the world, the Pro Series is sure to keep audiences at the edge of their seat as we look forward to the next live event at the end of the month and of course the Grand Final in November.”

Paul Jeal, F1 Franchise Director at Codemasters said:
“As we’ve seen consistently with our drivers, the standard of racing was nothing short of breath-taking. The
new manually operated ERS in F1 2018 perfectly added drama and excitement to the wheel to wheel racing, and it was great to see our drivers working as hard on their wheels as their real life counterparts. The sense of competition and camaraderie between all the drivers is now at an all-time high, and their performances have gone up another level since the official F1 Teams joined the Series, with many of the drivers having physically transformed themselves. Now the first results are in, the next couple of weeks will be crucial to get as much practice in as possible ahead of the second event on October 31st. It’s a 10 race championship with a double point’s final, so there is still plenty to play for.”

Mark Brittain, Chief Commercial Officer at Gfinity said:
“A worldwide audience tuned into the F1 New Balance Esports Pro Series and witnessed an amazing race. The skills of the F1 Esports teams generated an electric atmosphere in the Gfinity Arena that was felt across the globe. The bar has been raised for the next live event and the final. We are witnessing the convergence of the real and digital worlds. And racing fans are loving it.”

The global Esports phenomenon continues to go from strength to strength with backing from some of the most exciting brands on the planet. The lifestyle brand New Balance was recently named the title sponsor of the F1 New Balance Esports Series and kitted the drivers out with the latest footwear for the Pro Series, while DHL and Fanatec also continue to sponsor the competition.

For more information on the F1 New Balance Esports Series visit www.f1esports.com or follow all the action on F1’s official Facebook page.

Event 1 Race Results

About Formula 1®
Formula 1® racing began in 1950 and is the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition, as well as the world’s most popular annual sporting series. The 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship™ runs from March to November and spans 21 races in 21 countries across five continents. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1 and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship™.

Formula 1 is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LSXMA, LSXMB, LSXMK, BATRA, BATRK, FWONA, FWONK) attributed to the Formula One Group tracking stock.

About Codemasters
Codemasters (AIM:CDM) is an award winning British video game developer and publisher with over 30 years of heritage. The company specialises in high quality racing games including DiRT, GRID, ONRUSH and the BAFTA award-winning official F1® series of videogames.

About Gfinity
Founded in 2012, Gfinity has established itself as one of the world’s leading esports companies. The London-based business enjoys strong relationships with game publishers, players and the wider esports community and has built a solid reputation for delivering high quality competitions, both on-line at www.gfinityesports.com and off-line, in addition to producing industry leading esports broadcasts. The Gfinity Esports Arena at Fulham Broadway, London is the home of UK esports showcasing regular tournaments across the full range of competitive games. Beyond its own tournaments Gfinity provides a full turnkey solution for brands wanting to create their own esports tournaments and has staged premium esports events around the globe for leading publishers and brands including Formula 1, Microsoft, Activision, EA, Xbox, Gillette and HP.

About esports
Esports (electronic sports) is watching or playing competitive video gaming. Leading titles include League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Defence of the Ancients 2 (DotA 2), Call of Duty and Rocket League. The industry is growing rapidly, with new communities developing around more and more titles.

The global esports market generated US$493 million of revenue in 2016 and is expected to make $1.5 billion by 2020. The global esports audience in 2017 was 191 million people, 80% under the age of 35 and 70% male (source: Newzoo). Online streaming channels Twitch and YouTube command the biggest audiences, although esports events are also now being broadcast on conventional TV. The 2015 League of Legends Championships finals in Berlin were watched by 36 million people, with a peak concurrent viewership of 14 million viewers, while at DotA 2’s flagship annual championship ‘The International 2016’ competitors from around the world competed for a prize pot of over $20 million.

Full Throttle For The Start Of The F1 Esports Pro Series 2018

September 20th, 2018 by Isher Dhillon

Formula 1®, the pinnacle of motorsport, is revving up for the launch of the F1 Esports Pro Series 2018, where the official F1 Esports teams will battle it out to be named this year’s F1 Esports Series Teams’ and Drivers’ World Champions on Codemasters’ F1 2018 videogame.

The Pro Series will be held as a series of three live events at London’s Gfinity Esports Arena on October 10th, October 31st and the Grand Finale across November 16th and 17th. The events will be streamed live on Facebook and broadcast globally on selected TV networks, bringing the excitement and exhilaration of Formula 1 to a new generation of fans across the globe.

Having undergone an intensive selection process, the drivers will race for nine of the teams competing in the 2018 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™: Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports, Red Bull Racing Esports Team, Hype Energy eForce India F1 Esports Team, Williams Esports, Renault Sport Team Vitality, Haas F1 Esports Team, McLaren Shadow, Toro Rosso Esports Team and Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 eSports Team.

The Pro Series is the exciting climax of the award-winning F1 Esports Series, which has seen 66,000 players compete over four online qualifying rounds earlier in the year to secure a coveted place in the inaugural F1 Esports Pro Draft in July. Completing 1.1 million laps in F1 2017, the official game of the FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™ on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and PC.

Just 16 of the most talented gamers from nine countries secured places on the official F1 teams at the Pro Draft in July, which reached over 1 million people around the world. They will now race alongside established racers for a coveted prize fund of $200,000, allocated to the teams based on their positions in the team standings. You can catch up on all the action behind the inaugural Pro Draft on YouTube.

The teams and drivers, confirmed so far, that will go head to head and compete in this year’s Pro Series are:

Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 eSports Team
Allert van der Wal (Netherlands), Sonuc Saltunc (Great Britain), Salih Saltunc (Great Britain)

Haas F1 Esports Team
Martin Stefanko (Czech Republic), Michal Smidl (Czech Republic)

Hype Energy eForce India F1 Esports Team
Fabrizio Donoso Delgado (Chile), Mads Sørensen (Denmark), Marcel Kiefer (Germany)

McLaren Shadow
Olli Pahkala (Finland), Bono Huis (Netherlands), Enzo Bonito (Italy)

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports
Daniel Bereznay (Hungary), Brendon Leigh (Great Britain), Harry Jacks (Great Britain)

Red Bull Racing Esports Team
Joni Tormala (Finland), Graham Carroll (Great Britain)

Renault Sport Team Vitality
Kimmy Larsson (Sweden), James Doherty (Great Britain), Sven Zurner (Germany)

Toro Rosso Esports Team
Cem Bolukbasi (Turkey), Patrick Holzmann (Germany), Frederik Rasmussen (Denmark)

Williams Esports
Tino Naukkarinen (Finland), Alvaro Carreton (Spain), Alex Hanses (Germany)

As global momentum builds behind Esports, F1 also welcomed footwear and lifestyle brand New Balance as the Title Sponsor of this year’s F1 Esports Series. New Balance will provide footwear for the drivers, while F1 also retains its existing sponsors DHL and Fanatec.The F1 Esports Series is operated in partnership with Codemasters, the developer and publisher of the official Formula 1 video game franchise and Gfinity, one of the world’s leading esports companies.

Julian Tan, Head of Digital Growth & F1 Esports at Formula 1 said:
“The launch of the Pro Series is a pivotal moment for the F1 Esports Series. In a short space of time the drivers have come together from all around the world to join their official F1 teams; and will now take their passion for motorsport and gaming from home all the way to the podium. With the F1 teams involved we have been able to combine the power of Esports with the magic of Formula 1, establishing an adrenaline fuelled series that has been streamed across the globe. Now it’s time for the teams to deliver their best performances, and we can’t wait to crown this year’s Teams’ and Drivers’ Champions.”

Jonathan Bunney, VP Publishing at Codemasters said:
“We’ve been impressed with the skill and dedication shown by our player community with F1 2018 across PlayStation®4, Xbox One and PC. The Pro Series takes gaming talent to a new benchmark and is set to make history for F1 and gaming fans alike.”

Mark Brittain, Chief Commercial Officer at Gfinity said:
“It is a privilege to welcome some of the very best gamers in the world to the Gfinity Esports Arena for the F1 Esports Pro Series. We’re braced to see a competition quite unlike any other as our hugely talented drivers battle it out head-to-head to be named this year’s F1 Esports champion. For aspiring gamers watching around the world, the event is sure to be nothing short of exciting.”

For more information on the F1 Esports Series visit www.f1esports.com.

F1® 2018 Takes Top Step On The Podium

September 6th, 2018 by Isher Dhillon

Official F1® Game Charts At Number One In UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Nordics, Benelux, Australia & New Zealand

Codemasters has today announced that F1® 2018, the official videogame of the 2018 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, has topped sales charts around the world. The new game, released on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and Windows PC (DVD and via Steam) on 24th August, has been number one in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Denmark and Finland!

F1® 2018 was released to great critical acclaim as the game continues to get closer than ever to the real world sport. Players now face pressurised press interviews as part of their Career and each team has its own unique research and development options with inherent strengths and weaknesses. There are also more classic cars than ever before, including the iconic Brawn BGP-001 from 2009.

Jonathan Bunney, VP Publishing for Codemasters said: “We are delighted with the success of F1® 2018. It reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone at Codemasters, and growing interest in the world’s most popular motorsport. The first week chart positions were strong and the latest data available shows that we have held the number one position in at least two of our biggest territories, UK and Germany. We look forward to hearing the news from all the others. The F1® Esports Pro Series, which includes the real world F1® teams for the first time, will be played on F1® 2018 and this will be an incredible showcase for the game.”

Featuring all of the official teams, cars, the drivers and circuits from the thrilling 2018 season, F1® 2018 also includes 20 iconic, classic cars from the history of the sport for players to try to master. Circuit Paul Ricard is included in the game for the first time, while the Hockenheimring also returns. F1® 2018 is available now worldwide on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and Windows PC (DVD and via Steam).

Follow Codemasters F1® games blog and social channels on Twitter and Facebook for future updates.

Make Headlines In F1® 2018 – Out Now

August 24th, 2018 by Isher Dhillon

Deeper Career Mode, 20 Classic Cars, Enhanced Simulation And Improved Visuals Make F1® 2018 A Must Buy For F1® Fans.

Players around the world can now ‘Make Headlines’ in the world’s most prestigious motorsport as F1® 2018, the official videogame of the 2018 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, launches onto the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and Windows PC (DVD and via Steam) today. To celebrate the launch, Codemasters has also released the F1® 2018 TV advert, which is available to view now at www.youtube.com/formula1game.

Launched to critical acclaim, F1® 2018 is the most complete F1® experience ever seen in gaming. Featuring all of the official teams, cars, the drivers and circuits from the thrilling 2018 season, F1® 2018 also includes 20 iconic, classic cars from the history of the sport for players to try to master. Circuit Paul Ricard is included in the game for the first time, while the Hockenheimring, the historic home of the FORMULA 1 EMIRATES GROSSER PREIS VON DEUTSCHLAND 2018, also returns.

“Our main aim with F1® 2018 was to get even closer to replicating the real world sport and we believe that we have made significant improvements both on and off the track,” said Lee Mather, Game Director, F1® 2018. “The in-game suspension and chassis now refresh at 1000htz meaning that the simulation is far more authentic. For example, you can really feel the difference between the modern day cars, with their advanced aerodynamics and downforce, when compared to the classics which rely more so on pure tyre grip, making them an incredibly involving drive.”

Lee continued: “The visual recreation of the sport, including the iconic heat haze, atmospherics and new lighting system, is closer than ever and we have added even more depth to the Career by reworking the Research & Development system for each of the teams as well as introducing the press interviews which will play a key role in how you are seen within the world of F1®. Certain teams look for different characteristics in a driver and it is up to you whether you choose to exhibit sportsmanship or showmanship when put under pressure. We cannot wait for players to get their hands on the game.”

The much heralded Career mode is bigger and better than ever with the inclusion of pressurised press interviews which will directly affect your standing and future within your own team and the wider sport. While in research and development, each of the teams now has its own unique tech tree with inherent strengths and weaknesses as you are looking to improve your car. These improvements can then be threatened by end of season regulation changes, another first for the franchise.

F1® 2018 is available now worldwide on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and Windows PC (DVD and via Steam).

Follow Codemasters F1® games blog and social channels on Twitter and Facebook for future updates.

F1® 2018 – closer to the real thing than ever before

August 20th, 2018 by Christina McGrath

Codemasters® has today released the final part in its series of four developer diaries for F1® 2018, the official videogame of the 2018 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, talking about the improvements made to audio and visual aspects of the game. The new developer diary is available to view now at www.youtube.com/formula1game.

F1® 2018 presents a significant visual jump forward for the franchise, utilising physically based rendering to improve the overall look and feel of the game and get it as close to reality as possible. Visually the car models, character renders, the atmospherics, visual effects, cinematics and animations have all been overhauled, while on the audio front the engine sounds are closer to real life than ever before.

“The biggest win visually is in the atmospherics,” said F1® 2018’s Art Director, Stuart Campbell. “This year we’ve got a full atmospherics system that gives you a greater sense of depth from the scene, and it makes for some really stunning vistas.”

Stuart continued: “One of the most iconic things for me about F1® as a sport is seeing that heat haze on the start straight: the heat rising from the track and from the engine exhausts, and in the mirage effect that you see reflecting in the track. We’ve added a full heat haze and mirage system to our visual effects for this year, and it makes a huge difference in the replay cameras and on track when you’re racing.”

With regards the audio improvements this year, Brad Porter, Senior Audio Designer on F1® 2018, commented: “We try to make the engine sounds as close to broadcast as possible, which is what a lot of fans ask for. We’ve been over to tracks such as Abu Dhabi, Barcelona and Paul Ricard over the last year, working directly with F1® teams, going into garages with them on test sessions, mic’ing up the cars onboard with our new radio gear, and then we’re standing at the side of the track for external recordings. We’re also in the garages recording ambisonics, we’re out in the paddock, and we’re out in the pit lane.” Brad added: “From an audio point of view, the game is now sounding far more believable and far more authentic.”

F1® 2018 features all the official teams, the drivers and all 21 circuits of the thrilling 2018 season, including Circuit Paul Ricard and the Hockenheimring. As well as the current season’s offerings the game includes 20 iconic cars from the history of the sport. F1® 2018 will release onto PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and Windows PC (DVD and via Steam) worldwide on Friday 24th August 2018.

Follow Codemasters F1® games blog and social channels on Twitter and Facebook for future updates.

Excitement Builds For F1® 2018

August 16th, 2018 by Isher Dhillon

See F1® 2018 In Action In New Gameplay Trailer

As the excitement builds towards the launch of F1® 2018, the official videogame of the 2018 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, Codemasters has today released the latest trailer for the game featuring amazing gameplay and cinematics.

Available to watch now below or at www.youtube.com/formula1game, the new trailer showcases the lifelike recreation of the real world sport that you will be able to enjoy on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and Windows PC (DVD and via Steam) worldwide from Friday 24th August 2018, the weekend of the season starting back up again with the iconic FORMULA 1 2018 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX™.

“We are trying to get as close to the real world sport as possible in terms of visuals, simulation and the surroundings which make F1® such an incredible spectacle,” commented F1® 2018 Game Director, Lee Mather. “We have an excellent relationship with F1® and the teams which is really bearing fruit and helping to improve the game in all areas.”

F1® 2018 features all the official teams, the drivers and all 21 circuits of the thrilling 2018 season, including the introduction of Circuit Paul Ricard and the return of the Hockenheimring. The game challenges you to Make Headlines in the most complete Career Mode ever seen in the franchise including press interviews, extensive research and development options and significant end of season rule changes. F1® 2018 also features 20 classic F1® cars, the most in the franchise’s history.

Follow Codemasters F1® games blog and social channels on Twitter and Facebook for future updates.

Get Closer To The Real World Sport With F1® 2018 Trailer

August 13th, 2018 by Isher Dhillon

New Trailer Set To Official F1® Theme Music Showcases Stunning Visuals

Codemasters® has today released the second official gameplay trailer for F1® 2018, the official videogame of the 2018 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™. Featuring stunning in-game footage and the new official F1® theme music, written by composer Brian Tyler, the latest trailer is available to watch now below or at www.youtube.com/formula1game.

Commenting on the game’s recreation of the real world sport, F1® 2018’s Art Director, Stu Campbell said: “F1® has undergone a huge visual rebrand this year. It has an exciting, fresh new look and we are looking to bring that into the game as much as we can. Our aim this year was to create as big a visual improvement as we possibly could to give a more authentic and realistic experience. When you see it side by side with the 2017 game I think you will see a huge leap forward.”

Follow Codemasters F1® games blog and social channels on Twitter and Facebook for future updates.