Before the Olympic Esports Week finale in June – held within Singapore’s Suntec Centre – an open hot lap qualifying event was held within Gran Turismo 7.
The limited-time challenge was open to all, with the quickest drivers in the Toyota GR010 Hybrid ’21 around Deep Forest Raceway set for the opportunity to become an Olympic Esports champion.
With the time trial now closed, part of the entry list has been set. Representing Italy will be Giorgio Mangano who set the world’s quickest time. Unfortunately for the 2021 Olympic Virtual Series winner, Valerio Gallo, the second-quickest time in the world wasn’t quite good enough. With just one slot per nation, his compatriot takes the Italian entry by a scant 0.024s.
Mangano will be joined by the likes of reigning Gran Turismo World Series Manufacturers Cup champion Kylian Drumont, Adriano Carrazza and young up-and-comer Brit Will Murdoch – who made his in-person Gran Turismo esports debut in Monaco last year.
From this stage in the process, 10 of the quickest drivers have made it through, plus one additional slot for the quickest Singaporean entrant.
Alongside these 11 competitors, a further 10 will also make the final via the FIA’s national sporting authorities. These have yet to be determined, but the 20 finalists will then take part in a further pre-qualification round in Singapore, followed by an 11-driver live final race event on 25th June.
Olympic Esports Series 2023 Motor Sport Event, Gran Turismo 7 open qualifiers
- Giorgio Mangano
- Kylian Drumont
- Adriano Carrazza
- Kaj De Bruin
- Will Murdoch
- Jose Serrano
- ttg-usk_
- Angel Inostroza
- IGTSH_Szotyi42x
- Karl Etyemezian
- FL_AleefHamilton
