Mercedes-AMG has become the latest car manufacturer to fully embrace esports with a brand new series on three different platforms, beginning today.
The series is officially called the “Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Virtual Championship” and will run simultaneously on Assetto Corsa Competizione (on PC only), Gran Turismo 7, and iRacing in partnership with the brand’s “Private Lounge” platform for AMG owners and fans.
There’ll be three stages in the event in this inaugural year, dubbed “Season Zero”, all featuring the Mercedes-AMG GT3 within the respective games. The first of these starts today and consists of a hot lap event which you will already find available in Gran Turismo 7 (with regular Time Trial rewards also available), closing on August 30th.
You’ll have three weeks to set your time for the hot-lap stage, which will effectively select the finalists for the “race days” that constitute the championship itself. The top 28 drivers on each platform will go into the top division, while all other entries will go into a raffle for the 28 spots in the second division (though GT7’s will be split into two further parallel leagues due to grid limts).
In total there’ll be six race day events for each title at real-world circuits featured in all three titles:
- September 11 – Race Day 1 – Laguna Seca
- September 25 – Race Day 2 – Brands Hatch
- October 9 – Race Day 3 – Suzuka
- October 30 – Race Day 4 – Nurburgring GP
- November 13 – Race Day 5 – Monza
- November 27 – Race Day 6 – Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Each race day comprises two races, with one a standard format race that features practice, qualifying, and a final race. However the second race will include “challenges and handicaps” which award bonus points. As yet these haven’t been specified, and won’t be announced until the driver briefing for each event, we’re not entirely sure what to make of that yet…
The two leagues will also feature some interaction. After the third race day, the top three players in the lower league will be promoted to the higher league, with the bottom three players from the higher league being relegated to replace them. Players in all divisions on all platforms are able to score championship points, but lower division points will be worth only 70% of higher division points.
While that sounds a little on the complicated side at present, Mercedes-AMG will be using Season Zero to develop and refine the event in collaboration with the community and participants for future series.
At the conclusion of the racing, the top three drivers in the Virtual Championship will receive “money can’t buy prizes” from Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, while the overall winner will get an exclusive driving experience in a Mercedes-AMG racing car.
You’ll need to register for the event on a special page on the Mercedes-AMG website, but otherwise entry is open to anyone aged 16 and above, with the relevant hardware and software.
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