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Audi have fired a Formula E driver for using a ringer in an esports raceHe wanted “create a funny story for the fans”, but it looks like the joke’s on him

He wanted “create a funny story for the fans”, but it looks like the joke’s on him

“We thought about how to make it happen, how to document it, and how to unwind it in a video afterwards,” he says. “It was never my intention to let another driver drive for me, to get a result and keep quiet about it later on.”

This may very well have been the case, but it shows a general disrespect for the esport, which is trying to act like the real thing while we’re all in lockdown. It also doesn’t help that he gives off a real ‘it’s just a video game’ vibe through the first half of his statement, suggesting he isn’t really that sorry for what he’s done.

(Note that his video is in German, so you’ll need to pop on those subtitles if that language isn’t in your repertoire.)

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Cover image for YouTube video

“When looking back, we did not think enough about the seriousness and the consequences of the situation,” he says. “We made a huge mistake. I accept it and I will carry all the consequences for what I have done.”

“It was extremely important to me to take the chance here and now to tell you how it was and what happened, and to simultaneously apologize to my family, to my friends, to Audi, to my partners to Formula E, to Unicef, and of course to all fans who have supported me over the years.”