Pressiteade
Oscarjoined the Academy in January after winning last season’s Formula RenaultEurocup. This year sees the Australian race in the FIA Formula 3 Championshipwith reigning champions Prema Racing.
Oscarwill make his first Virtual Grand Prix appearance this weekend on the thrillingBaku City Circuit, as his preparation for the 2020 season ramps up.
On theopposite side of the virtual garage, the 19-year-old is joined by ManchesterCity star Laporte.
Laportewas a guest of the team at last season’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, fuelling hispassion for Formula 1 and furthering an appetite to discover even more aboutthe sport.
Now, the26-year-old has his chance to drive in a virtual race alongside Formula 1drivers, junior drivers and other footballers on the 6.003km Baku streetcircuit.
TheFrenchman is a fan favourite in Manchester having signed for the Premier Leagueclub in January 2018. He has so far won two Premier League titles as well asfour domestic cups with the Sky Blues and is regarded as one of the bestdefenders in world football.
For theExhibition Race (17:00 BST) prior to the Virtual Grand Prix (18:00 BST),Nicolas Longuet and Fabrizio Donoso will represent the team looking to build ona positive outing in Monaco where Nicolas ended seventh and Fabrizio intwelfth.
Oscar Piastri: “I’m super excited to be finally be racingagain, even if it is virtually. I’ve been doing some sim racing whilst I washome in Australia, and the adrenaline rush and competitive nature of virtualracing definitely matches with real life. I’m really looking forward tocompeting with some big names in motorsport, and also various other sports. Ihave to say, I’m not a massive football fan, but racing alongside AymericLaporte will be an amazing experience. Thanks to Renault DP World F1 Team forgiving me this opportunity, and hopefully I can bring home some virtualsilverware!”
Aymeric Laporte:“I'm really excited about the chance to be racing inFormula 1 this weekend. Of course, it is virtually and I'll be racing from mysimulator at my home in Manchester, but it's a great opportunity to do thisalong with all these other drivers. I really want to thank Renault DP World F1Team for this opportunity to race. I'll sure be practicing the Baku circuit asmuch as I can until the restart of the Premier League season. It's going to bea lot of fun!”
