Williams Esports are the latest team to firm up their 2022 F1 Esports Series Pro line-up, joining the virtual racing arms of Alfa-Romeo, Alpine, McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari in announcing its driver roster.
The Grove-based team’s three-pronged attack on F1 Esports arrives in the form of Álvaro Carreton, Daniele Haddad and Shanaka Clay, who are all looking ahead to the start of the season on the 14th of September.
Carreton is notably entering into the fifth year of his Williams Esports career, after previously being selected in the 2018 Pro Draft. Notably, since then the Spaniard is the only driver to participate in every F1 Esports Series Pro race with the same team – a sure sign of a productive relationship.
Daniele Haddad and Shanaka Clay both make the surprising switch from Aston Martin Cognizant Esports, as they aim to cement themselves as regular points-scoring contenders this year.
Italian Haddad – esports coach to Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois – finished 17th overall in the 2021 standings with nine points, while British kart champion Clay was stymied by a lack of opportunities, failing to score.
Carreton’s 2021 championship got off to a bright start with a podium finish in Bahrain (just behind Lucas Blakely and Nicolas Longuet) and thanks to a handful of top ten finishes secured an overall position of 13th – just ten points shy of Ferrari’s two-time champion Brendon Leigh in tenth.
“The new roster has spent countless hours developing driving styles and set-ups to prepare for the new season, and our Williams Esports drivers have a dynamic relationship, enabling them to effectively find performance when needed.
The trio has been brilliant to work with so far, and I predict impressive performances in the months ahead,” said Seb Hawkins, Williams Esports Team Manager.
Where do you think Williams Esports will stack up in 2022? Let us know in the comments below.
