McLaren F1 driver — and Triple Crown hopeful — Fernando Alonso is getting into the esport game. The Spaniard has formed his own digital race team, and Gran Turismo Sport players will be some of the first to try out for the squad.

More specifically, Alonso’s fellow countrymen will get the opportunity, as well as those from Portugal. LigaPlayStation is putting on the event, an esport organizer that gave away over 70,000€ in prizes last year. But this event’s prize is arguably far more valuable than another gaming console.

You see, Alonso is building up FA Racing. Working alongside G2 Esports and Logitech, the team will eventually compete across multiple titles and platforms. Alonso actually formed FA Racing shortly after World’s Fastest Gamer concluded — which shouldn’t be too surprising given the McLaren/Logitech connection.

“Every Formula One driver is a gamer at heart,” said Alonso when the team was officially announced late last year. “Competing on the virtual stage opens a vast amount of possibilities for young drivers that wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to get into racing”.

The qualifiers will kick off with five events, starting this Sunday, January 14. They’ll all take place within GT Sport, through a combination of online time trial and race lobbies. The weapon of choice? The McLaren 650S GT3, of course.

The (translated) schedule:

1. TEST (January 14)

Circuit: Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit (Afternoon 3:30 pm Sunny).

Max tire Allowed: Soft competition

Wear x2

Consumption x2

Circuit: Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit (Afternoon 3:30 pm Sunny). Max tire Allowed: Soft competition Wear x2 Consumption x2 2. TEST (January 21)

Circuit: Willow Springs International Raceway: Streets of Willow Springs (Sunset 21: 00h Sunny).

Max tire Allowed: Soft competition

Wear x2

Consumption x2

Circuit: Willow Springs International Raceway: Streets of Willow Springs (Sunset 21: 00h Sunny). Max tire Allowed: Soft competition Wear x2 Consumption x2 3. TRIAL (28 January)

Circuit: Suzuka Circuit – East Circuit (Afternoon 16: 30h Cloudy).

Max tire Allowed: Soft competition

Wear x2

Consumption x2

Circuit: Suzuka Circuit – East Circuit (Afternoon 16: 30h Cloudy). Max tire Allowed: Soft competition Wear x2 Consumption x2 4. TRIAL (04 February)

Circuit: Blue Moon Speedway (Alba 06: 30h Good weather).

Max tire Allowed: Competition means

Wear x10

Consumption x10

Circuit: Blue Moon Speedway (Alba 06: 30h Good weather). Max tire Allowed: Competition means Wear x10 Consumption x10 5. TEST (11 February)

Circuit: Nürburgring Nordschleife (Tomorrow 10: 00h Cloudy).

Max tire Allowed: Soft competition

Wear x1

Consumption x1

For the full details on the event, check the LigaPlayStation page.

In the end, the ten top-scoring individuals will take part in a dedicated event at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 26. Also, befitting an event sponsored by Logitech, each of these lucky ten will also receive a G29 sim racing wheel.

Of course, the grand prize is a seat on the team (full name: FA Racing G2 Logitech G). The winner won’t be alone, either; they’ll be joined by Cem Bolukbasi, one of the recent F1 esport championship finalists.

If you’re looking to get into the world of esports, there’s very few names more high-profile than an F1 driver’s. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this one as it unfolds — good luck to any readers that take part!

Hat tip to Lee x sensai!

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