During the debut year, Martin Štefanko became the tournament’s first World Champion. The 23-year-old Czech from Team Williams Esports managed to beat top favorite Lasse Sørensen (TK9 E-SPEED) at the grand final on Germany’s famous Nürburgring-Nordschleife.

The first world championship format for virtual electric racing cars was unique. Like a soccer and other sports cup, the final marked the conclusion, and was held on the world’s longest and most difficult race track.

Sørensen Dropped by the Wayside

The driver who topped the first season of the trend-setting e-sports racing series was clearly Lasse Sørensen. The Danish pro racer won three of the first five World eX starts, and claimed another victory at the final round on the Nürburgring speedway.

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But that only secured him the pole position for the decisive grand final, where all the winners of the first round qualified. In addition to Sørensen and Štefanko, the list of drivers included Risto Kappet (R8G Esports), Phillippe Denes (BS + COMPETITION), Bruno Senna (Williams Esports), as well as Luca Kita and Nicolas Hillebrand (both Biela Racing Team EURONICS). 

The Štefanko Comeback

Despite Sørensen’s great ride, it was Štefanko who crossed the finish line as the brand new winner. That moment will be remembered because the new World Champion was not the only one who let his emotions run wild with a loud victory cry. Štefanko’s mother, one floor below, was so happy with her son’s title victory that her jubilant shout could even be heard on the live broadcast.

“I’m very happy,” said the new World Champion. “Normally, I always doubt about myself. But today I had a good feeling and a lot of confidence from the beginning.” 

“The most important final was longer than other races at World eX. That’s why I was able to take advantage of my strengths: low tire wear and good energy management; I couldn’t show that on shorter races at this series. My big thanks to Williams Esports for making it possible for me to become a professional simulation racer. Now we have won our first world title – amazing!” celebrated Štefanko.

Third place overall was Risto Kappet from Romain Grosjean’s R8G Esports team, who also finished third on the Nordschleife after a fierce fight with Luca Kita from Biela Racing Team EURONICS.

Awards for the Environment

The RCCO World eX Championship is more than just Esports Racing. With each race lap, the #RacingForTheClimate jackpot grew by €10. Overall, the participants raised €12,875 and the World Champion decides which climate conservation project will receive the prize money. 

Martin Štefanko and Williams Esports chose Letcombe Brook Project, a stream running from Letcombe Regis through part of the Williams factory at Grove in Oxfordshire, England, to East Hanney. There are only 25 of these types of brooks in the entire world.

Written by I Jhonattan González

The post RCCO World eX Championship Season 1: Exciting Motorsport Success with a Climate Purpose appeared first on Green Racing News.

The event finished with victory for Czech Martin Štefanko, from Williams Esports, who in addition of winning his first competition, became the first participant ever to master the category’s debut night race. 

“I’m speechless, honestly,” Štefanko stated after defeating TK9 E-SPEED’s Lasse Sørensen after a close Super Final fight in Estoril, Portugal. The Dane, World Championship leader, seemed to be on his way to another World eX win after setting fastest time on Level 1 qualifiers and staying undefeated in all races.

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Sørensen initially took the one-lap run to take pole position, but Štefanko got off with a better start and was able to take the lead on the outside line of turn 1, after a slight contact between the two eX ZERO prototypes. Sørensen stayed on Štefanko’s tail for the entire lap, however, he failed to make any moves against the Williams driver.

A Relief after a Bitter Experience

Štefanko let out a shout of relief after finishing the contest on Portuguese soil, as he had only been accompanied by several setbacks so far this season. 

“The last few months have been terrible in terms of results. Everything that’ s been happening in World eX and other championships has just thrown more fuel on my performance fire,” explained the Czech. 

“The pace was good. I made some small adjustments which got me a lot more comfortable and consistent with the car. It simply made a huge difference today,” he added.

Štefanko expressed satisfaction at beating the frontrunner: “I’m very happy that I was able to do it because obviously Lasse (Sørensen) had the inside track positions, but I managed to do the overtake on the outside with a better start.” 

“I can’t believe it, I haven’t won a race in months. It’s just unbelievable. I’m very grateful because Lasse is an incredibly fast driver, very clean as well, very consistent. It’s a pleasure to race with him. I’m very happy to get the ticket to season finale and fight for the Championship,” he remarked.

The Overall Standings

Scotland’s Gordon Mutch finished third on the podium for R8G Esports, with Germany’s Luca Kita matching the best results for Biela Racing Team EURONICS in fourth place. 

BS + COMPETITION’s Beitske Visser qualified for the Final by holding off WRT driver Dries Vanthoor during a tight battle in the Semi Final. Liam de Waal finished sixth for the Patrick Long Esports team.

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American Henry Drury was the highest placed wildcard driver in 11th, running a Simulator at the Porsche Experience Center in Los Angeles. Australian Emily Jones finished third in the Last Chance race, but was knocked out at Level 3.

For round seven, the RCCO World eX Championship heads to another iconic track at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, home of Esports Team WRT.

Written by I Jhonattan González

The post Williams Esports’ Martin Štefanko wins Sixth Round of RCCO World eX Championship appeared first on Green Racing News.