Uralkali Haas F1 Team Esports reveals driver line-up for 2021 F1 Esports Series Pro Championship

The 2021 F1 Esports Series Pro Championship gets underway officially on October 13 and will feature 12 races across four events, each held over two days. R8G Esports will manage Uralkali Haas F1 Team operations throughout the F1 Esports Series Pro Championship, with Team Champions set to be crowned on December 16.

Cedric Thomé will lead the line-up for the American F1 squad, having already spent a season on the team’s roster, achieving a season’s best finish of eighth place at the Shanghai International Circuit. The 23-year-old German started sim racing in Formula 1 in 2012, and his competitive CV includes winning the 2019 Virtual Canadian Grand Prix.

The first of two new racers joining him on the grid is Samuel Libeert. The 28-year-old from France is no stranger to the team, having most recently represented Uralkali Haas F1 Team Esports at the Virtual Austrian Grand Prix in January. The R8G Esports driver qualified for the series after finishing third in the PC trials.

Completing the team for the 2021 F1 Esports Series Pro Championship is Matthijs van Erven, having finished fourth in the PS4 Challenger qualifiers. The 18-year-old from the Netherlands is the youngest driver on the team, and having only started racing competitively since 2020, has impressed with his adaptability and natural pace to rise up the Esports ranks.

Throughout the series, Thomé, Libeert and Van Erven will receive mentorship and support from former Haas driver Romain Grosjean and his Esports team - R8G Esports. 

Fans can follow the online action across a host of platforms – primarily Formula 1’s social media channels (Facebook, YouTube, Twitch and Huya) with select TV broadcast partners showcasing the events.

“I know the boys have been working very hard, trying to really step their game up. It’s a championship with the best teams and the best drivers from around the world and you need to be on top of your game that day,” stated Grosjean. “The amount of pressure they’re going to face – it’s a big event with a big audience. They all have my phone number and we can easily share and exchange. They know they are free to reach me any time and I think that’s where my experience and how to deal with that sort of pressure is key.”

Cedric Thomé, Uralkali Haas F1 Team Esports driver, said: “I feel honored to be part of Haas for another year and be representing them again in Esports. With the backing of R8G, Romain Grosjean’s Esports Team, I’m sure we can achieve great things and I already feel in a better place compared to last season.”

Samuel Libeert, Uralkali Haas F1 Team Esports driver, said: “In 2020, I became Vice World Champion in the VCO World Cup on iRacing with Team France and then I joined Romain Grosjean’s R8G team and focused on Formula 1. Since then, I’ve managed to qualify for the 2021 season and that has led me to be chosen by Haas. I am honored and ready for this huge challenge.”

Matthijs van Erven, Uralkali Haas F1 Team Esports driver, said: “I’m very proud that I can say I represent an official Formula 1 team – I don't think many people can say that they've done that. My aims are getting good experience in my first season within a very competitive field, and I hope I can score as many points for myself and for the team.”

Further information on the 2021 F1 Esports Series Pro Championship can be found here - www.f1esports.com.