F1 Esports Series Pro Championship – Event 3 Preview

After a short break for F1’s real-world triple-header to take place, the most competitive line-up in Esports will head to Portimão - the first time in F1 Esports Series history that the Pro Championship will race in the Algarve. A quick 2,500km trip north will lead Uralkali Haas F1 Esports drivers to Race 8 in Zandvoort, in the Netherlands. It will be the second season in succession that the Dutch circuit will feature, with Red Bull Racing Esports’ Frederik Rasmussen taking the inaugural win. 

The following day marks the home race for Uralkali Haas F1 Esports as the Circuit of The Americas returns after a one-year absence. With 20 turns and a race distance of 110.25km, it has the most turns and the longest race distance of any circuit on the Pro Championship calendar.

It hasn’t been the easiest start for Uralkali Haas F1 Esports in the 2021 F1 Esports Series Pro Championship, but with the grid closer than ever before and 156 points still up for grabs, Cedric Thomé and Matthijs Van Erven are determined to turn their season around and move up the standings.

 

How would you evaluate your F1 Esports season so far?

CT: “It has been a disappointment so far. To not score any points at this stage hurts, as pace-wise we shouldn't be in this position – and luck hasn't been on our side either – but we have to look ahead and keep fighting.”

MVE: “Personally, not too bad. Obviously, it can always be better but the grid this season is so strong and the gaps are so little, so it’s hard to make your debut. Although I have no points yet, I'm happy with the pace I've got but I need to show it more in qualifying.”

What has surprised you most about the F1 Esports Series Pro Championship?

CT: “How unpredictable it is. I mean look how close it is, you wouldn't be able to call who will be strong and who not, it's that close between everyone.”

MVE: “How tight the qualifying sessions are, it's actually nuts! A full grid within two and a half tenths is mad and I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
 
 

During the mid-season ‘break’ which areas of your own craft have you been working on?

CT: “I personally took some days off, as it's very important not to burn out, so you can push flat-out for the remainder of the season. There's always room for improvement, but you can only push for these extra tenths if you're 100 percent focused on your target.”

MVE: “I’ve just kept doing what I've been doing. I think with experience, the qualifying pace in sessions will get better.”

 

Which race are you most looking forward to out of the remaining six and why?

CT: “Either one of the new tracks, or Brazil. From the new tracks nobody knows who's going be competitive and maybe there's going be someone who can really make the difference at tracks like those. Brazil – because it’s one of my favourite tracks and always provides amazing races.”

 

What’s the target for the rest of the season?

CT: “Trying to get the team up as many places in the standings as possible. We need to fully focus on qualifying and we should be able to fight for points positions with both cars.”

MVE: “Score points – I think it will be a relief. I've had the pace for it in up to six races so far but I’ve just not been able to score points yet. I want to show what I can actually do, I have so much more than what I've been doing so far in the Esports season. I hope I can show more in the rest of the races.”

Event 3 of the 2021 F1 Esports Series Pro Championship takes place across two days on November 28 – 29. Fans can follow the action live via Formula 1’s social media channels (Facebook, YouTube, Twitch and Huya) with select TV broadcast partners showcasing events each day at 14:30 EDT. All results and reaction from drivers can be found across Uralkali Haas F1 Team social channels.