FORMULA E SEEKS ELECTRIC RACING STARS OF THE FUTURE WITH FORMULA E ACCELERATE ESPORTS COMPETITION

- New esports competition will see 24 rising stars compete in six events mentored by Formula E teams and drivers.

- Formula E will be translated into the virtual world as digital racers have to master energy management and Attack Mode for the first time.

- Minimum prize pool of €100,000 with winner receiving opportunity to drive a Formula E Gen2 car.

London, England (January 7, 2021)

- Formula E today announced its new esports competition Formula E Accelerate, which builds on the success of last year’s ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge in support of UNICEF.

Over six events, 24 rising stars from the world of motorsport and esports will compete against one another in a simulated racing experience using rFactor2 software. Blending the real and virtual worlds, each competitor will score Formula E Accelerate points for a real-life Formula E team. The virtual racers will also receive expert tips, mentoring and other talent development opportunities from the team they are attached to.

Competitors will need to contend with new energy management and Attack Mode features during the online E-Prix. Prior to the competition, there will be online qualifying open to the public with the top-three quickest times on the Berlin Tempelhof E-Prix circuit* earning places on the Formula E Accelerate virtual grid.

Everyone who participates in all six races will receive a share of a minimum prize pool of €100,000 with the overall winner earning a test drive in a Formula E Gen2 car.

There will be two additional virtual races, each featuring 12 real-life Formula E drivers, one per racing team, during Round 4 and the Grand Final of Formula E Accelerate (schedule below*). Points from these races will be added to the overall team standings.

Formula E Accelerate schedule: - Round 1: January 28 - Round 2: February 4 - Round 3: February 11 - Round 4: March 11 - Round 5: March 18 - Grand Final: March 25 (double points)

Each 25-minute Formula E Accelerate race will be broadcast in a 90-minute programme, featuring Formula E drivers, Team Principals and other special guests. All races will be live on Formula E social and streaming platforms.

Allianz will join the competition as a Premier Partner. ABB and DHL are also Official Partners of Formula E Accelerate.

Open qualifying for Formula E Accelerate is now open. To be in with a chance to secure a seat on the virtual grid, register your fastest lap time here. Qualifying will close on January 13 at 23:59 (GMT).

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will make its Season Seven debut in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia with two night races, at 17:00 GMT (20:00 local time) on February 26 & 27.

*Terms and Conditions will apply

Audiences can plug in and follow the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube. @FIAFormulaE #ABBFormulaE

Information and photo source : The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship