The Mercedes-AMG Team Williams Esports has followed several other ESL R1 entrants and unveiled its four-strong driver lineup for the new Rennsport-based competition.
With €500,000 on the line, Williams has looked to both fresh talent and seasoned sim racing veterans.
Polish drivers Jakub Brzezinski and Nikodem Wisniewski are not only best friends but also won the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual, alongside finishing third overall in 2023 following a nail-biting final lap. The rFactor 2 experts will now also compete on the brand-new platform.
They are joined by Irish competitor Dáire McCormack, who has been participating on Assetto Corsa Competizione for the Grove-based squad.
“It’s a new challenge and the game looks like it has a big future with big potential,” said McCormack to Traxion.GG.
“I want to try and see if I can really push myself in the new game. It seems to suit my driving.
“I’m pretty well matched with the other Williams guys, so I just want to give it my all.”
Dennis Schöniger is the final driver in the lineup, having just signed for Williams following a successful stint at the Unicorns of Love team.
“I believe in a platform which has such big targets,” says Schöniger to Traxion.GG.
“It’s also very important for me to compete and to prove myself.
“The IEM is a very big show and I think it’s going to bring some new eyes to the sim racing scene, which could be very good.”
The team will be one of two factory-backed AMG outfits for the inaugural two seasons, which kick off at the IEM Expo Katowice, 11th-12th February 2023.
“When an organisation like ESL invests so much time and money into a new racing title, it’s definitely an exciting project for teams like us to get involved with,” says Seb Hawkins to Traxion.GG, Esports Executive at Williams Racing.
“To get a big boom of interest from people who follow esports teams, that aren’t involved with sim racing, it’s going to be great for us to really expand our portfolio of fans.”
Mercedes-AMG Team Williams Esports ESL R1 DRIVER LINE-UP
- Jakub Brzezinski
- Nikodem Wisniewski
- Dáire McCormack
- Dennis Schöniger
