Get to know Samuel

Race 1 and 2 qualifying will be streamed on Twitch & YouTube at 10:30 – 11:45 EDT. From 14:30 EDT, you can watch the re-run of Race 1 and Race 2 live on Formula 1 social channels and select TV broadcast partners.

On Thursday, October 14, live qualifying from Race 3 will be available to watch on Twitch & YouTube from 10:30 EDT with the race live from 14:30 EDT. All results and reaction from drivers can be found across Uralkali Haas F1 Team social channels.

The final driver making his debut with Uralkali Haas F1 Esports this season is no stranger to competitive Esports, having taken part in sim racing for over 15 years. Samuel Libeert is an official R8G Esports driver and has high hopes for his form in the most competitive Esports championship in the world. 

“I started Sim Racing in 2006 with GTR2 followed by Race 07, rFactor, rFactor 2, Assetto Corsa, Raceroom, Formula 1 games and iRacing. From 2009 to 2013, I was regularly involved in various world championships such as Formula 1 on iRacing, Formula Sim Racing on rFactor and others. I took a break from 2013 to 2016, and I came back to iRacing and participated in the World Endurance Championship for two years.

“Then came the Formula 1 Esports Series, where I knew for sure I wanted to have a go. I managed to qualify in 2018 and 2019 for the Pro Draft. After that, I went back on iRacing in 2019, winning the French Open Wheeler Cup and the French title.

“In 2020, I became Vice World Champion in the VCO World Cup on iRacing with Team France. Then I joined Romain Grosjean’s R8G Team and focused on Formula 1. I managed to qualify for the 2021 season. That led me to be chosen by Haas - I am honored and ready for this huge challenge.”

Why do you enjoy Esports?
“I like Esports and especially sim racing Esports because it’s a combination of the two things I love. Racing games in general and the competitive side, and as a competitor, I couldn’t play sim racing games without this Esports side.”

How do you feel representing Uralkali Haas F1 Esports?
“I feel proud, happy and deeply honored to represent an official Formula 1 team like Uralkali Haas F1 Esports in such a big competition.”

What is the importance of Esports in your opinion?
“In terms of business, it generates a lot of money and a lot of jobs in many areas.
As a player, it became possible to have an income from playing Esports games and as a viewer, you have multiples platform to watch and enjoy your favorite games and competition. So in my opinion, Esports is one of the biggest business’ these days.”

What is the crossover between an Esports driver and Formula 1 driver?
“The difference between real motorsports and sim racing is really small in my opinion. There are only a few differences such as physical effort, fear of incident and amount of practice. Apart from that, I don't see why a good sim racer couldn’t compete and be good in real life with enough practice and motivation.” 
 
What are your aims for the 2021 F1 Esports Pro Series?
“As a competitor, my goals are always high. Realistically as a rookie in this championship, I am aiming for points individually, and as a team, a top-five in the team championship would satisfy me for a first year.”

What are you most looking forward to?
“I have waited so long to be able to participate in this kind of competition and now I am here. I can't wait for the championship to start, so I would definitely say the first event.”

Who is your biggest competition?
“We are in the best championship in sim racing with the best drivers in the world so easy answers would be to say all drivers, but if I had to name one, I would say the defending world champion, Jarno Opmeer.”