BWT Racing Point Esports Team Line-up Confirmed 27.08.2020: Rising star Shanaka Clay joins Lucas and Daniele for 2020 F1 Esports Pro Series The Pick of the Draft Ahead of the fourth season of the F1 Esports Pro Series, BWT Racing Point Esports has drafted 21-year-old Shanaka Clay into its squad alo

Rising star Shanaka Clay joins Lucas and Daniele for 2020 F1 Esports Pro Series




The Pick of the Draft


Ahead of the fourth season of the F1 Esports Pro Series, BWT Racing Point Esports has drafted 21-year-old Shanaka Clay into its squad alongside current drivers Lucas Blakeley and Daniele Haddad.
 


An incredible 237,000 people attempted to qualify for the 2020 Pro Draft, which was whittled down to a pool of 45 drivers for the 10 F1 teams to pick from during the live-streamed Pro Draft Reveal Show.
 


Shanaka was a highly sought-after Pro Draft contender and will undoubtedly help the team build on a solid season last year, having already impressed with his work ethic and ambition.





A Star in Ascension



Shanaka made a name for himself earlier this year in F1’s Pro Exhibition Series, winning the season finale in Montreal and becoming one of just seven drivers to take a victory in the campaign.
 


Having made the 2019 Pro Draft stage by virtue of a P4 finish in the Xbox One race-off event, his Pro Exhibition Series appearances only further underlined his growing potential.
 


Much like his new teammate Lucas, Shanaka also has real-world racing experience to call on, having started his racing career in karting before moving into Esports competition in 2018.




A Trio of Talent


In last year’s F1 Esports Pro Series, the team took a total of three podium finishes – including victory at Silverstone – to eventually seal P7 in the Constructors’ Championship.
 


Some impressive late-season form in 2019 from both Lucas and Daniele – the former taking P2 in just his second race at Suzuka – would prove a precursor to an impressive F1 Esports Pro Exhibition Series early in 2020, with Lucas taking a victory and two further podiums in the showcase series.
 


Having underlined our potential over the off-season, the goal is to fight at the front of the field in 2020 with an ambitious and talented line-up now complete.




A Few Words




Jefferson Slack, Managing Director, Commercial and Marketing



“Our Esports team has gone from strength to strength over the past 18 months, with some standout performances during the Pro Exhibition Series earlier this year giving us positive momentum heading into the Pro Series. Now it’s time to build on those foundations and consistently fight for wins.



We’re excited to have signed Shanaka, as he was a clear standout in the Pro Draft selection. Couple his undoubted potential with the experience and skill we already have in Lucas and Daniele and there’s plenty to be excited about when competition begins in October.”




Shanaka Clay, BWT Racing Point Esports Team Driver


“It’s an incredible feeling to be joining the team. It’s still sinking in, to be honest! I’m extremely grateful to the team for choosing me from such a strong field of drivers. It’s great to have been noticed and to be able to continue my journey in Esports. I only really joined the scene in 2018 and the progression has been both surprising and rewarding.


It was disappointing to reach this stage last year and not get picked – but that just motivated me to come back stronger this time around! Winning a race in the Pro Exhibition Series was such a boost for me and I’m really excited to prove myself in the F1 Esports Pro Series.



Lucas has a similar background to me, so I know I’m going to work well with both him and Daniele. Looking from the outside in last year, you could see how the team improved as the season went on, so I’m confident we can hit the ground running this year and I'm keen to play my part.”







Lucas Blakeley, BWT Racing Point Esports Team Driver


“We’ve had a really strong build-up to the Pro Series, so I think we can be confident for a good season ahead. It was amazing to begin 2020 by having such a strong campaign in the Pro Exhibition Series – not just for myself but for the team too.



If we can deliver that same level of competitiveness, we can aim high this year and be regularly fighting for wins – which is absolutely the goal. Daniele and I have worked together for a while now, so we already have a strong relationship and I’m excited to see how Shanaka fits into the team as well.



I’ve yet to race alongside him – but he made it to the Pro Draft last year and we both love karting, so we’ve got things in common at least! I think we can take a good step forward this year and I’m excited to get back racing again!”




Daniele Haddad, BWT Racing Point Esports Team Driver


“I’m really excited for the season ahead. Last year was about gaining experience and improving as a team – which we did – and the early signs have been promising this year with our performances in the Pro Exhibition Series. The competition is stronger than ever in this year’s Pro Series – but we hope to be fighting at the front and that’s the goal.


Lucas and I have both raced for the team for a while now, so we’ve got a good relationship and it’s exciting to welcome Shanaka into the team too. I think he’ll be a good fit for the team and race strongly for us. We’re heading into the coming season as a stronger unit and more prepared than ever before ready to compete for a great result in the Constructors’ Championship.”







BWT Racing Point F1 - also photos