UK-based Formula One team Williams Racing has announced it will participate in the eleventh season of the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS).
As a result of the expansion, the team has joined forces with UK-based esports organisation Resolve Esports in order to obtain ‘knowledge’ on the Rocket League esports scene.
Credit: Williams Racing/Resolve Esports
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Williams is no stranger to competing in esports. The team currently fields a number of sim racing drivers across many titles, including Factor 2, iRacing, and Gran Turismo. The end of June saw Williams driver Valerio ‘BRacer’ Gallo crowned the inaugural Olympic Virtual Series Champion for Motorsport.
Tim Hunt, Chief Marketing Officer at Williams Racing, spoke on the team’s entrance into Rocket League in a release: “Rocket League has been a topic of discussion around the team for a while now; our people play it; their kids play it – it’s huge. Regardless of whether it’s on track or off it, Williams Racing has an imperative to race and compete, and this is what we’ll be doing with Resolve as we enter the Rocket League Championship Series Season XI.
“This partnership is incredibly exciting; Resolve have made an impressive start to life as a competitive esports team and we’re looking forward to being a part of that as we continue to take on the world of esports and expand our audience beyond racing”.
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Due to the ongoing pandemic, Psyonix changed the format of the RLCS which led to no world championship being held to conclude the season. As restrictions around the world begin to ease, the publisher intends on hosting a World Finals at the end of Season 11 if restrictions will allow.
Ilias Pajoheshfar, Founder and CEO of Resolve Esports, commented on the collaboration: “We’re delighted to work with such an iconic brand. Williams Racing is a big, big name in racing and Formula One and we’re huge motorsport fans. The discussions that led to this partnership revealed that we have more common ground than we could have imagined.
“We share a similar vision and this deal will not only see this partnership enter Rocket League but will also align our mutual values of promoting talent, health, wellbeing and performance. Obviously, this is also an important opportunity in the marketplace but, business aside, Williams Racing are winners. It’s our intention to channel their expertise, fully, into our pursuit of glory in Rocket League.”
Esports Insider says: Williams Racing continues to invest and expand its esports project and entering the highest tier of Rocket League competition is certainly a huge step forward as it looks to diversify its offerings. For Resolve, partnering with one of the most recognisable names in motorsport is impressive considering the organisation only started fielding teams in 2020.