Double F1 World Champion Alonso makes esports debut.

Photo Credit: Esports All-Star Series

Published by JohnnyX
18 May 2020

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands – Saturday, May 16, 2020.

  • Fernando Alonso qualifies fourth in his debut in The Race All-Star Series powered by ROKiT Phones
  • Le Mans legends Magnussen and Pirro take Legends Trophy wins

Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso made his esports Legends Trophy debut today in Torque Esports’ The Race All-Star Series powered by ROKiT Phones.

The Spaniard joined a 25-car field of fellow Formula 1 stars plus champion racers from the world of IndyCar, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and more. He immediately made an impression with impressive pace in qualifying to be fourth on the grid for the opening race.

While on-track incidents ruined his chance of a strong result in both races on the rFactor 2 virtual version of Circuit Zandvoort today, Alonso has confirmed he will return next weekend when the Legends Trophy tackles the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Memorial Day weekend.

Alonso will join former Indy 500 winners Emerson Fittipaldi, Juan Pablo Montoya, Helio Castroneves, Gil de Ferran, Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanaan plus the rest of the Legends Trophy aces in the championship’s first oval race.

Jan Magnussen, the Danish four-time Le Mans winner for Corvette, was the star of the show in today’s opening race. After qualifying on pole, the father of current Formula 1 driver Kevin Magnussen enjoyed a perfect race to take a 5.541 second win over new Legends Trophy points leader Jenson Button and Montoya.

“I had a good qualifying. I wasn’t sure if I could put it on pole, but I knew I could put it in the top three probably, said Magnussen.

“I had a good start, and there was a little bit of stuff going on behind me that gave me a gap so I could just do my own thing – I’m very pleased with that.”

Previous co-points leader Emanuele Pirro had a troubled opening race and started from pole in the reverse grid battle. The Italian five-time Le Mans winner led home three-time World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx and three-time Aston Martin Le Mans class winner Darren Turner.

“I tried to push hard in the first one. I tried to keep out of trouble and it didn’t work! So, I think I deserve that one. The pace was not fantastic, but I am happy for a win,” Pirro said.

“I’m really looking forward to Indy next week. it will be a huge debut for me on the oval – I’m already scared!”

Button’s fifth-place finish was enough to push him into the championship lead on 244 points ahead of Pirro (238), Magnussen (211) and Montoya (202).