March 24, 2021
Grosjean is back with Haas! Former F1 racer and budding Esports enthusiast Romain Grosjean’s R8G Esports team will manage Uralkali Haas F1 Team’s Esports operations, as well as their entry into the 2021 F1 Esports Series.
R8G Esports was established in April 2020, but has already moulded itself into a fearsome academy for sim racing talent. The team collectively notched 45 victories in 2020, and has 17 pro sim racers and five junior drivers among its ranks.
“I’m very happy to be managing Uralkali Haas F1 Team’s entry this year in the F1 Esports Pro Series through R8G Esports,” said Grosjean of the new development.
“I’ve been involved in esports for a year now and I believe our team is doing very well. For me, being able to help Haas F1 in this field, and going racing together – well, it’s a great story.”
Grosjean raced with Haas in 98 Grands Prix, from the team’s inaugural race in 2016 through until his accident in Bahrain in 2020. This longevity and strong bond then, is the perfect basis for a new era in Haas’s Esports efforts.
“Obviously, it’s a cool continuation of what we built together. So, I’m very much looking forward to the first race and to see what we can build together in esports competition.”
GOALS FOR 2021
Haas have finished in the bottom two in the past two seasons of the F1 Esports Pro Series, although considerably increased their points tally in 2020 compared to the previous year. With Grosjean’s R8G Esports Team on board, the goal will be to continue the upward trajectory, and progress well up the order in 2021.
“I’m delighted that we get to utilise Romain’s enthusiasm for esports and R8G Esports’ expertise to oversee our continued participation in the F1 Esports Pro Series,” said team principal Guenther Steiner.
“It’s an important step up for us in terms of our involvement from previous seasons. We know we’re partnering with a group that truly understands the demands of the esports environment and can help take our program to the next level.
“We’ve had some memorable points-earning finishes in past F1 Esports Pro Series and won this season’s Virtual Grand Prix Series. It would be fantastic to maintain that form under the guidance of R8G Esports in the F1 Esports Pro Series this season.”
Haas did indeed claim top spot in the 2021 Virtual Grand Prix series, with brothers Pietro and Enzo Fittipaldi scoring massive points. Two podiums for Enzo, plus a trio of top-five finishes for Pietro – Haas’ official test and reserve Driver – granted the team a $20,000 donation to their chosen charity, the Grand Prix Trust.
It’s not yet clear who Haas will field for the 2021 Pro Championship. Long-time sim racing ace Samuel Libeert contested the Virtual Grand Prix sprint races, alongside 2020 Pro Series duo Cedric Thome and Floris Wijers. The 2021 Pro Exhibition will showcase some of the fastest sim racers in the world, and Haas will be able to scout potential new drivers, along with the other nine official teams.
This event takes place the end of May, and teams will be able to sign drivers until the end of June , so keep your eyes on social for announcements and news as we get them!
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