Teams select 10 gamers from F1 Esports Pro Draft to compete in the Pro Series

July 18th, 2019 by Jenny Marshall

Formula 1®, the pinnacle of motorsport, has revealed the names of the 10 talented racers selected at this evening’s Pro Draft. They will now sign a contract to become official F1 Esports drivers and race professionally for a team in the next stage of the 2019 Formula 1 New Balance Esports Series – the Pro Series.

For the first time ever, ten teams are involved in the series. Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Esports, Ferrari Driver Academy, Haas F1 Team Esports, McLaren Shadow, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports, Red Bull Racing Esports, Renault Sport Team Vitality, Scuderia Toro Rosso Esports, SportPesa Racing Point F1 Esports Team and Williams Esports have now all selected at least one driver from the Pro Draft pool to join their racing line-up for the Pro Series.

Following an evening of dramatic, adrenaline-fuelled racing, the ten drivers fought off stiff competition to secure their place on a team. A significant achievement given the record breaking 109,000 participants from across the globe that competed in this year’s qualification stages.

Yesterday the 41 gamers that had qualified for the F1 Esports Series Pro Draft participated in a series of nail-biting race-offs to identify the most skilled and talented. Through this process the 11 slowest drivers were eliminated and the fastest progressed through to this evening’s live event for the chance to compete for one of the coveted seats on an official F1 Team.

The live event was streamed online on Facebook, YouTube and Twitch, and broadcast live on global television by marquee broadcast partners.

Pending confirmation of final contracts, the drivers selected by each team are:

  1. David Tonizza, Italy, picked by Ferrari Driver Academy
  2. Simon Weigang,Germany, picked by Renault Sport Team Vitality
  3. Floris Wijers, Netherlands, picked by Haas F1 Team Esports
  4. Isaac Price, UK, picked by Williams Esports
  5. Nicolas Longuet, France, picked by Red Bull Racing Esports
  6. Lucas Blakeley, UK, picked by SportPesa Racing Point F1 Esports Team
  7. Allert Van Der Wal, Netherlands, picked by McLaren Shadow
  8. Kimmy Larsson, Sweden, picked by Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Esports
  9. Manuel Biancolilla, Italy, picked by Scuderia Toro Rosso Esports
  10. Daniel Shields, Australia, picked by Mercedes AMG Petronas Esports

The successful drivers will now join their official teams to prepare for the 2019 Formula 1 New Balance Esports Pro Series, which will comprise of twelve races contested over four live events. These will take place on 11 September, 2 October and 6 November and culminate at the Grand Finale on 4 December.

The Pro Series will see drivers compete for a share of an incredible $500,000 prize fund – more than double that of last year’s – on F1 2019, the newly launched official F1 videogame by Codemasters. These races will determine the 2019 F1 New Balance Esports Series Teams’ and Drivers’ World Champions.

Due to the significant increase in interest of the F1 New Balance Esports Series, for those who missed out this year, qualifying rounds for the 2020 Series will launch early for the very first time, officially opening on 22 July 2019 and running until the end of the calendar year. Anyone with a copy of F1 2019, the official F1 videogame developed by Codemasters can take part. The qualifications are open globally and there will be five different qualifying rounds between July and November. For more information, please visit www.f1esports.com.

Julian Tan, Head of Growth & Esports at Formula, 1 said:
“The F1 Esports Series Pro Draft is an incredibly important part of our effort to break down borders and open up our sport to a new generation of F1 fans. Being the first in motorsport to pioneer the pro draft concept has allowed us to establish a direct route into our sport for fans, giving the next crop of racing stars the opportunity to go from living room to podium and even World Champion by signing for an official F1 team. Tonight’s successful drivers are incredible talents and if the wheel-to-wheel racing is anything like last year, it’s going to be a thrilling championship!”

Frank Sagnier, CEO at Codemasters, said:
“Tonight, we witnessed the world’s top F1 Esports drivers fulfil their dream and sign with one of the 10 official racing teams. We saw record numbers of participants attempt to qualify for the Draft and we are now down to the very best F1 Esports talent. The line-up is complete; it’s now time for the competition to begin and to see who can step up and take Brendon Leigh’s crown.”

Graham Wallace – Global Chief Operating Officer at Gfinity plc, said:
“Once again the F1 Esports Pro Draft delivered the drama and excitement that fans demand. They love the back stories, where the drivers come from and their motivations. It gives them an added reason to care. And heightens the anticipation for the races themselves. The fans can’t wait to see the teams and driver compete under the lights at the Gfinity Arena. This year’s Series will be the best ever.”

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

Full List Of F1® 2018 Classic Cars Revealed

July 13th, 2018 by Jenny Marshall

Drive 20 Iconic Cars From The History of the Sport

Codemasters® has today released a new video for F1 2018, the official videogame of the 2018 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, revealing the roster of classic cars that will feature in the forthcoming game. A new class of six iconic cars from the 1970s and the 1980s joins the already announced 2009 Brawn and 2003 Williams, as well as all of the returning classic cars from last year’s game, to take the total number of historic cars to twenty.

The new F1 2018 reveal, available to view now at www.youtube.com/formula1game, as well as above, showcases the cars that will feature in the new 1970s and 1980s class, as well as the cars returning from last year. 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.

These cars include James Hunt’s legendary 1976 championship winning McLaren M23D and Niki Lauda’s Ferrari 312 T2, both of which featured in the hit movie ‘Rush’ (2013). They are joined by two Championship winning Lotus cars: Emerson Fittipaldi’s 1972 Lotus and Mario Andretti’s 1978 Lotus 79. The 1979 Ferrari 312 T4, as driven by Jody Scheckter as he beat teammate Gilles Villeneuve to the title, and the 1982 McLaren MP4/1B driven by John Watson and Lauda make up the class.

In addition to the six historic cars from the 1970s and 1980s, Codemasters has announced that all twelve classics that featured in F1 2017 will also return for this year’s game. The line up is completed by the two modern classics from the 2000s (2009 Brawn BGP-001 & 2003 Williams FW25) that are available in the exclusive Headline Edition of F1 2018 at launch, and later as DLC*.

“We are delighted to bring 20 classic cars to F1 2018,” commented Lee Mather, Game Director, F1 2018. “The classics were extremely popular in last year’s game so we naturally wanted to offer our players even more choice this time. The 70s and 80s cars offer a whole new challenge and compared to the modern day cars. They look and sound incredible.”

As well as the twenty classic cars, F1 2018 will feature all of the official teams, the drivers and circuits from the enthralling 2018 season, including Circuit Paul Ricard and the returning Hockenheimring. The game challenges you to ‘Make Headlines’ in the deepest career mode in the series to date. You will become immersed in the world of F1 more than ever before as you develop your reputation both on and off the track, with time-pressured media interviews that will directly influence your progression in the sport.

Here’s the full list of classic cars in F1 2018:

New Classic Cars

  • 1970s and Early 1980s:
  • 1972 Lotus 72D
  • 1976 Ferrari 312 T2
  • 1976 McLaren M23D
  • 1978 Lotus 79
  • 1979 Ferrari 312 T4
  • 1982 McLaren MP4/1B

Returning from F1 2017

  • 2010 Red Bull RB6
  • 2008 McLaren MP4-23
  • 2007 Ferrari F 2007
  • 2006 Renault R26
  • 2004 Ferrari F2004
  • 2002 Ferrari F2002
  • 1998 McLaren MP4-13
  • 1996 Williams FW18
  • 1995 Ferrari 412T2
  • 1992 Williams FW14
  • 1991 McLaren MP4/6
  • 1988 McLaren MP4/4

2 New ‘Tier 1’ Classic Cars*

  • 2009 Brawn BGP-001
  • 2003 Williams FW25

* Both cars are exclusive DLC content for pre-order/Day 1 “Headline Edition” Digital & Boxed (DLC sold after 60 days).

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

Speak To The Press And Make Headlines In F1 ® 2018

July 5th, 2018 by Jenny Marshall

New Developer Diary Details Immersive Career Mode

Codemasters® has today released the first of a four part series of developer diaries for F1® 2018, the official videogame of the 2018 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, which reveals how you can ‘Make Headlines’ both on and off the track. New, time-pressured press interviews at key moments throughout your career will put you in the spotlight and immerse you into the world of F1 more than ever before.

The new developer diary, available to view now at www.youtube.com/formula1game, details how your interactions with Claire, the new reporter character in F1 2018, will shape the way in which you are seen in the sport and directly affect your career. Will you choose to exhibit showmanship or sportsmanship? Your answers can increase/decrease the motivation within departments in your own team, altering the price or reliability of upgrades, as well as any offers you might receive from rival teams.

“The media are going to play a huge part in the player’s career,” commented F1 2018’s Game Director, Lee Mather. It’s not just important for a driver to be skilled on track. It’s all about being the complete package. The player will need to consider how their answers impact the morale of their team and also how they are perceived by the other teams in the paddock.

Lee continued: “Certain teams may like to see a driver who is a great sportsman: demure and calm in front of the press, even under high-pressure situations, while others may want a driver who is more of a showman who can create buzz.”

The answers available to you will develop over time as your character becomes better known within F1. The interviews will take place in new locations in the Paddock and in front of the team and scrutineering garages.

There are further improvements within the career mode. You now have more control over your destiny and can approach rival teams about a potential move, including the opportunity to switch within the season. You also have the opportunity to select your own championship rival.

Details of further enhancements to the career mode will be unveiled in part two of the developer diary series.

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. Features all of the official teams, the drivers and all 21 circuits of the thrilling 2018 season, this year sees the return of the French and German Grand Prix™ to the calendar meaning that you can now race at Circuit Paul Ricard and the Hockenheimring.

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

The Greatest Lap You’ve Never Seen

May 30th, 2018 by Jenny Marshall

Reimagining Ayrton Senna’s epic qualifying lap at Monaco in 1988

Almost unbelievably, Ayrton’s legendary Monaco 88 qualifying lap was never actually caught on camera.

Upon the 30th anniversary of that legendary lap,  courtesy of McLaren F1 Team, and the iconic voice of Murray Walker, it was great to help re-imagine that iconic Monaco moment.

Just in case you were wondering, this clip doesn’t use the newly-announced F1 2018.

That’s not all, you can also check out Murray Walker commentating the reimagined lap, with McLaren’s Tweet:

Take a lap of Monaco with Charles Leclerc in F1™ 2018

May 24th, 2018 by Jenny Marshall

Sauber driver reveals first gameplay footage, visual uplift and manual ERS also confirmed

Codemasters® has today released the first gameplay footage for F1 2018, the official videogame of the 2018 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, with Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team’s Charles Leclerc driving a lap of his home track, the iconic Circuit de Monaco, ahead of this weekend’s race there. 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.

Showcasing F1 2018’s enhanced visuals the trailer, available to view at youtube.com/formula1game, takes us on a lap of Monaco narrated by the 20 year old Monégasque Sauber driver, who was filmed playing the new game in Baku, Azerbaijan recently, and who is also a keen gamer.

Speaking about F1 2018, Charles said: “I love playing the F1 game! As soon as I get out of the car, I miss racing. So, when I am back home, I play for fun. This is the closest I can get to driving a Formula 1® car outside of the track, so it is always very enjoyable to play.”

On the recreation of Monaco in F1 2018 Charles added: “First of all, I was amazed at how realistic the scenery was. Being born in Monaco, I know the circuit very well. Well done for visualising the track so nicely in the game. My favourite part is the last sector because there is a great rhythm to the drive there.”

With regards to the visuals unveiled today in the new Monaco footage, Stuart Campbell, the new Art Director on F1 2018 said, “One of the biggest visual uplifts for F1 2018 are our revised lighting, sky, clouds and atmospherics systems. These systems work hand-in-hand and affect all aspects of the game rendering, making it more believable than ever before. Our new cloud tech more accurately represents the real world with improved cloud formations and response to light through the various weather scenarios that are a huge part of F1. Even on a clear day, the sky looks interesting with high level cloud detail and jet trails, while the new atmospherics system gives a true sense of depth in the scene and connects the sky and terrain in a more cohesive manner, making for some stunning vistas.”

One of several key improvements to the car physics system is also revealed briefly in the Monaco footage. Lee Mather, Game Director on the F1 Games, explained: “The inclusion of a player-managed Energy Recovery System (ERS) has been added to vehicle physics for F1 2018 as we always strive to give as authentic recreation of the sport as possible. Augmenting the powerful internal combustion engine, the player will have multiple deployment modes to choose from. The inclusion of the ERS will not only give the player an even more authentic Formula 1 experience, but will serve to create even more varied and exciting races”.

As well as a strong visual uplift this year and the inclusion of player-managed ERS; F1 2018 boasts a number of other new features and improvements. There are more classic cars for the player to drive and the much heralded Career mode has been expanded to further immerse the player into the world of Formula 1. F1 2018 will feature all of the official drivers, teams and circuits from the enthralling 2018 season. This year sees the return of the French Grand Prix™ for the first time since 2008, at the Circuit Paul Ricard, and also the return of the German Grand Prix at the Hockenheimring.

More news F1 2018 news will follow soon, including the reveal of the classic cars, which have been selected from community feedback. Follow Codemasters F1 games blog and social channels on Twitter and Facebook for future updates.

Make Headlines in F1™ 2018

May 17th, 2018 by Jenny Marshall

Codemasters® and Koch Media today announced that F1™ 2018, the official videogame of the 2018 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, will immerse players into the world of Formula 1® more than ever before. 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, the weekend of the FORMULA 1 2018 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps Circuit.

“We were delighted by the reception that the highly-acclaimed F1 2017 game received, and are extremely excited to be able to further build on such a strong starting point with F1 2018” said Paul Jeal, F1 Franchise Director at Codemasters. “Over the past few years we have engaged heavily with our fan-base to understand what is important to them, and we cannot wait to unveil more details on features we know our fans will love. Career mode has been further expanded to immerse players even deeper into the world of F1 than before, with the return of a highly requested feature back into the franchise. We are also adding more classic cars, again listening to our fans as to which of the historical F1 cars they would most like to virtually drive next. Outside of those headline additions there are many other great enhancements to be revealed before the game launches.”

The 2018 season has started in exhilarating style with victories for Scuderia Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel at both the Australian and Bahrain Grand Prix™, and then for Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo in China. Lewis Hamilton then won a thrilling and dramatic race at the Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan, and most recently Hamilton was again victorious in last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix. The 2018 season also sees the return of the French Grand Prix for the first time since 2008, at the Circuit Paul Ricard, which last hosted the French Grand Prix in 1990. The German Grand Prix also returns to the Championship after not featuring last year, with the Hockenheimring hosting the race in July. F1 2018 will feature all of the official teams, the drivers and circuits of the 2018 season.

Follow Codemasters F1 games blog and social channels on Twitter and Facebook for future news. Further details about all the new features and specifics will be revealed in the build up to release.


ABOUT CODEMASTERS:
Codemasters, the award winning video game developer and publisher, has a 30 year heritage. With titles distributed globally, Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of driving and racing entertainment games including DiRT, GRID, ONRUSH and the official BAFTA award-winning FORMULA 1™ series of videogames. The company is fully controlled by Reliance Big Entertainment Ltd. (RBEL). 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 KOCH MEDIA:
Koch Media is a leading producer and distributor of digital entertainment products (software, games and films). The company’s own publishing activities, marketing and distribution extend throughout Europe and the USA. The Koch Media group has more than 20 years of experience in the digital media business, and has risen to become the number one distributor in Europe. It has also formed strategic alliances with numerous games and software publishers: Bethesda, Capcom, Kaspersky Labs, NC SOFT, Sega, Square Enix and Tecmo-Koei, etc. in various European countries. With Headquarters in Planegg near Munich/Germany, Koch Media owns branches in Germany, England, France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, the Nordic regions, Benelux and the United States. www.kochmedia.com

F1 2018 Game – an official product of the FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. © 2018 The Codemasters Software Company Limited (“Codemasters”). All rights reserved. “Codemasters”®, “EGO”® and the Codemasters logo are registered trade marks owned by Codemasters.

The F1 FORMULA 1 logo, F1 logo, FORMULA 1, FORMULA ONE, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX and related marks are trade marks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula 1 company. © 2018 Cover images Formula One World Championship Limited, a Formula 1 company. Licensed by Formula One World Championship Limited. The FIA and FIA AfRS logos are trade marks of Federation Internationale de l’Automobile. All rights reserved.

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