Public relations can be as much about distraction as attraction. Which, we suspect, might be what?s happening here. In the midst of the McLaren Formula 1 team?s worst ever season, it has announced a program to recruit a simulator driver through an online racing competition. We?ll try to reach the end of the story without making any further reference to the woeful reliability of the team?s Honda engines.
The deal for the lucky winner of what McLaren is calling its World?s Fastest Gamer competition is both simple and attractive: The winner will get to be part of the Formula 1 team and take part in active development of future Formula 1 cars. And, yes, this is a paid position, although the company insists that, as it does with its “real drivers,” the company “won?t divulge contractual or financial details of the agreement.? Although part of the process is trying to find unknown e-racing talent, the contest is also open to those who have already proved themselves in various online leagues such as the professional iRacing championship. Six of the 10 finalist spots are reserved for established digital hotshoes, but the other four are up for grabs and open to pretty much anyone. These unseeded qualifiers will win their places through four online events that are planned to take place throughout the summer.
Like most top-flight racing teams, McLaren does an increasing amount of its dynamic development through enormously powerful simulators. In fact, McLaren Appli...