Williams Esports to join new Rennsport by ESL competition

Williams Esports is delighted to announce that they will be taking part in the first season of Rennsport by ESL, launching in February 2023.

ESL R1 are looking to set a whole new standard for virtual racing by establishing a dedicated intersection for car manufacturers and players, taking the best of real-life racing and merging it with the limitless possibilities of the digital realm.

The four Williams drivers will be competing under the name “Mercedes-AMG Team Williams Esports” as part of our partnership with the car provider for the series.

The competition will see Williams compete against some of the biggest names in Esports, including FaZe Clan, Mouz and Team Redline.

Keep your eyes peeled to the Williams Esports social accounts on the 26th January as we announce our drivers at 14:00 GMT.

The first round kicks off at IEM Katowice between February 10-12, the same location as the final of the CS:GO EPT Championship. Director of Esports at Williams Racing, Steven English, said: “We are really excited to enter the first season of Rennsport by ESL.

"The potential we have seen from where Rennsport and ESL want to take this competition is massive, and to see non-traditional sim racing teams enter into the competition will be great to bring more eyes onto the scene.

"It is a sign of the huge progress that sim racing has made in the overall esports landscape that an organisation like ESL is now investing so heavily in a racing title.

“We have long believed that racing games should be at the forefront of esports - not just for the enjoyment and playability, but also the unique opportunities racing sims provide in real world relevance, physicality and potential for a positive health and wellbeing narrative.

“I am confident that we will be competing at the front of the grid right from the first race at IEM Katowice."

Team Manager of Williams Esports, Seb Hawkins, added: “It is great to see the team and drivers be given the opportunity to race in the inaugural season of Rennsport by ESL.

“Having attended the Rennsport Summit along with the team last year, the potential of the game was clear and the drivers have enjoyed working on it in the closed alpha and beta tests.

“Going into the first season, it will be great for the team to attend a major sim racing LAN event where we will have the chance to engage with lots of fans, both new and old and continue to help grow the sim racing scene.”