Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team Confirms 2021 Driver Line-up 16.09.2021: Aston Martin will make its F1 Esports Pro Championship debut in 2021, and today Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team confirms its three-driver line-up for the coming campaign.

Aston Martin will make its F1 Esports Pro Championship debut in 2021, and today Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team confirms its three-driver line-up for the coming campaign.



A new era begins with the Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team, bringing new energy to the virtual world with a determination to shake up the order and compete at the sharp end. Esports forms part of our mission to engage a new wave of fans and bring them into the heart of our story: showcasing technology, innovation and performance at our core.



Aston Martin is ready for its debut in the F1 Esports Pro Championship and drivers Lucas Blakeley, Shanaka Clay and Daniele Haddad will represent the team in the championship. Our dynamic and talented driver line-up and experienced management team are ready to fight for success.



The driver line-up is a continuation of Team Silverstone's foundations, with the team opting for experience and familiarity to help drive Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team forward. Earlier this year, the trio combined to reach the V10-R League final, defeating Formula One rivals McLaren and Williams along the way.



Lucas brings experience and previous success in the F1 Esports Pro Championship, having secured a podium at Suzuka in 2019, and finishing the 2020 Virtual Grand Prix Series with a victory and three further podiums in seven rounds.


Team-mate Daniele also possesses extensive experience in Formula One Esports and has been a consistent points-scorer across multiple competitions. Shanaka joined the team out of the F1 Pro Draft selection in 2020 as one of the most sought-after picks. Having worked closely with Lucas and Daniele throughout last year, he’s ready to help push the team forward and make a name for himself in 2021.


 
For the 2021 season, the drivers will be supported by Official Audio Partner EPOS, who will be providing their range of industry-leading gaming headsets featuring dynamic, immersive sound to enhance their racing experience.
The 2021 F1 Esports Pro Championship begins in October with the first of four rounds, and the opening triple-header will include races in Bahrain, China and Austria.



Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team has also launched its official Esports webpage: a destination hub for all things virtual racing, including reports, features and more.



Lucas Blakeley, Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team Driver: “Being chosen as a driver for the Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team for the F1 Esports Pro Championship is a huge privilege. I’m looking forward to getting started. Reaching the V10-R League finale was a big success for us, and it is a perfect demonstration of our mental strength, bouncing back from a challenging 2020.



We have momentum behind us, and we want to be fighting towards the front of the field this year, helping to write a new chapter in Aston Martin's legacy.”



Shanaka Clay, Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team Driver: “It’s a great feeling to be retained by the team. We’ve gone through a transition period from Team Silverstone to Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team, and, with that, there’s more expectation.



As a team, we’re more than capable of delivering strong results, so we’re coming into the season with optimism and making sure we’re well prepared. The heritage of the Aston Martin brand makes it an honour to race for this team. It's also a challenge we're all relishing, and we can't wait to get started in the F1 Esports Pro Championship.”



Daniele Haddad, Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team Driver: "I’m very happy and excited to be a part of Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team line-up. Representing this brand is a huge privilege. It was exciting to drive the famous green car in the V10-R League earlier this year, and we hope to carry our form into the F1 Esports Pro Championship.



I expect the competition will be just as close as last year, so as a team, we will need to be focused and able to deliver under pressure. I finished last season in good form, scoring a podium in Japan and starting P7 in Mexico, so my goal is to build on those results. I am confident the team and I can have a strong campaign."

 


Matt Bishop- photo AMR