F1® 2021 - F1® Esports Challengers Event 5

Time flies when you’re having fun! If you can believe it, we’re already at the penultimate round of the F1^® Esports Series Challengers as it gets underway this week. In event five, the 16 talented drivers on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC head to the magnificent Monza before racing the curves of COTA.

The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza has held Formula 1^® races since the very beginning in 1950 and has continuously hosted the Italian Grand Prix since 1981. As one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, Monza absolutely earns its ‘Temple of Speed’ nickname. Consequently, the Challengers will need to get to grips with the high-speed Italian circuit, spending a large amount of their lap at full throttle.

First arriving on the 2012 F1^® calendar, Austin’s Circuit of the Americas quickly became a fan favourite. Inspired by a number of classic European circuits, COTA is known for high-speed corners, hairpins, and of course, its hills. The Challengers will need to navigate Austin’s 20 corners with both speed and precision to be successful here.

Xbox

Despite only winning one race in event four, Tom Manley’s domination of the Xbox Challengers has guaranteed him at least second in the series overall and a place in the Pro Exhibition. Jacobs is second on 89 points, with McLean third on 70, and Cowan up to fourth with 69 after his first win.

With at least one place already decided, and only four races left to go, time’s running out for the rest of the Xbox Challengers to secure their place in the top six.

PlayStation

After Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort, Noordijk is back in the championship lead with 118 points, after previous points leader Matthew Alder failed to score a single point in event four. Hofland takes second with 89 points, ahead of Alder (84), and the remaining top-three spots consist of Suriano (76), Poland (75), and Nader (74).

Alder’s drop from first to third after not scoring in Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort shows just how close this field is. A breakout performance or a disappointing couple of races could make all the difference. With the group so close and only four races left, the Challengers will need to make the most of their races at Monza and COTA.

PC

Tomek Poradzisz continues to dominate on the PC side, with one win and one-second place in event four. Fellow Pole Stachulec joins him on second, the only two drivers on triple figures. Next up is Szelle Kristof with 86 points, Evans with 80, Hughes in fifth with 68, and Bean holds the sixth and final qualifying spot.

Behind the top two, the fight for those crucial six places remains close. The rest of the field will need to take the championship to Poradzisz and Stachulec if they want to confirm their place in the Pro Exhibition.  

In case you need a reminder, each driver qualified for the Challengers via month-long in-game events held in F1^® 2021 through October and November last year. Racing on their individual platforms over 12 races, they’re aiming to grab one of just six places to head to the Pro Exhibition and the chance to be selected by one of 10 official F1^® Esports teams.

The fifth event gets started tonight from 7 pm GMT. As always, we’re starting with the Xbox side first, before the PlayStation and PC take their turns on Wednesday and Thursday. Make sure you watch it live on Formula 1®’s Twitch and our Facebook.

F1 Esports Series is promoted and operated by Formula One Digital Media Limited. For Official Rules, see f1esports.com/rules.