Grosjean launches esports team but steers clear of the F1 Virtual GP Series

Romain Grosjean

Grosjean launches esports team but steers clear of the F1 Virtual GP Series

Grosean prefers the 'more realistic' iRacing platform

Sam Hall

Saturday 25 April 2020 10:37

Haas Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean has launched his own esports team, the R8G team competing chiefly in GT classes.

Impressed by the recent boom in esports and online racing, Grosjean has created the R8G team.

"Launching my sim racing team is a proud moment because I’m passionate about motorsport, innovation & embracing new challenges," tweeted Grosjean. "The team structure we have created is unique and will be instrumental in helping us to achieve the ambitious targets we've set."

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“Launching my sim racing team is a proud moment because I’m passionate about motorsport, innovation & embracing new challenges. The team structure we have created is unique and will be instrumental in helping us to achieve the ambitious targets we've set." @RGrosjean #r8gesports pic.twitter.com/5Xhqep1BaJ
— r8gesport (@r8gesports) April 23, 2020

The first driver signed to compete for the team is French 18-year-old Thibault Cazaubon.

The French iRacing GT Champion, Cazaubon competed in the 2019 GT World Championship and qualified for the 2020 Porsche Esports Supercup.

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Grosjean also recently took delivery of a simulator himself, but don't expect to see him lining up in the Virtual Grand Prix Series any time soon, the Frenchman agreeing with Max Verstappen that other platforms offer a more realistic experience.

Grosjean told The Race, “The F1 game I’ve tried a little bit and didn’t get a great feel initially so I put it aside and went more into iRacing. I, for some reason, appreciate the GT cars and I feel iRacing is a little bit more realistic in terms of how the car behaves.

“I think I’m not the only one with that comment I believe. I know F1 really wants me to join and I would love to, but still, if it’s me two seconds off the pace it’s a bit tough."