Lucas Blakeley has driven Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team to the front of the field in the 2021 F1 Esports Pro Championship.
Having been with Team Silverstone since 2019 after underlying his potential by finishing second at Suzuka in just his second F1 Esports event, he's become part of the family.
In the latest episode of #IAMSTORIES | VOICES, Lucas explains his passion for Formula One and how he came to embrace the world of virtual racing.
Lucas' rise to F1 Esports title contender
The culmination of years of passion and unwavering determination. Lucas Blakeley enters the final of the 2021 F1 Esports Pro Championship with his eyes firmly set on the prize. Discover his journey from kart racing to championship challenger.
"I remember watching Lewis Hamilton on the TV [as a child]. I'd always liked it [F1] but, when Lewis came along, I wanted to be like him.
"In 2009, I drove a go-kart for the first time, when I was seven. I still remember it to this day. It was in the rain, on slicks, in a rental [kart] on an outdoor track. I loved every second of it.
"I got into kart racing in 2010 and was lucky enough to do that until 2015. I had to stop because it was really expensive, but Esports has given me an opportunity to do what I love.
"I believe it [Esports] will only grow and in the future we'll hopefully see sim racing and F1 Esports provide opportunities for people to get into real life [racing].
"It's funny, because, five years ago, if you were to think sim racing is at the point where it is now, you would get laughed at. Let's see what happens in another five years."
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