Formula 1 Driver Loses A Real-Life Race To An eSports Athlete
Source - Enzo Bonito is a driver for Team Redline – one of the world’s biggest simulation racing teams – as well as Mclaren Shadow.
Bonito took on Formula E and ex-Formula 1 driver Lucas di Grassi on the track in Mexico at the Race of Champions event.
The Race of Champions event pits current and legendary drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and David Coulthard from the world of Formula 1 against up-and-coming talents from the world of simulation and esports racing.
The Italian gamer and sim racer claimed victory after beating the Brazilian pro driver by over half a second – winning with a final time of 52.3885. Di Grassi finished with a time of 53.0576.
I don’t know much about Esports or Formula 1 in general, but pitting real-life athletes against gamers who pretend to be athletes is something I can one-hundred percent get behind. It’s not that I have anything against people who are into eSports, I just have a problem with them calling themselves athletes. Because to be clear- they’re not. Enzo Bonito is an exception to the rule. The vast majority of eSport “athletes” are thicker than a bowl of oatmeal or thinner than Vibbs with a bad case of the flu.
Which may make you competitive in racing, but in any other sport would be disastrous. Like imagine Joel Embiid going up against the top 2K player in the world? The guy wouldn’t have a chance.
Regardless, this has to be a tough pill to swallow for Lucas di Grassi. He’s been racing since 2012, retired, then came back to get smoked by a kid who drives fake cars for a living. Conversely, it’s a big win for Enzo because events like these are becoming so popular that if you’re good enough you can make a decent living.
Back in December, German car manufacturer Porsche linked up with iRacing to launch a new league – the Porsche iRacing World Championship Series. 40 competitors from around the world will race over 10 different weekends across 2019 for a shot at a $100,000 prize pool.
Anyway, shout out to Enzo for making a name for himself and thoughts/prayers to Lucas during this difficult time.