FE plan esports race for drivers and series fans

Formula E bosses are planning to run a new esports championship with a large cash jackpot in Las Vegas in Januray.

FE head Alejandro Agag is investigating running a virtual racing shootout during the Consumer Electronics Show in Nevada on January 5-8, and could put drivers head-to-head with fans for a large cash prize.

Formula E regularly runs Race-off events pitting current drivers against fans during race weekends, and Agag has had the concept to fill in some of the lengthy gaps between real race events in the 2016/17 season (see story below).

Alongside current FE drivers five fans would be able to qualify to join them, with details on the process expected later this year.

Agag was coy on the exact amount of money on offer, but said it would be in excess of six figures.

“Depending on how it goes I could envisage that some of these virtual races could give points for a championship, but not right now,” Agag told Reuters. “We think esports is a huge opportunity and want to be the first fully immersed in that. This will be the first virtual race with 20 drivers of a racing championship on big stages and with a very large prize fund, significantly plus of six figures.”