Abu Dhabi esports team faces off against top teams in international sim race

Newly-opened Abu Dhabi-based esports team YAS HEAT enjoyed a solid start to the inaugural V10 R-League, a new global sim racing competition created through a collaboration between Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM) and esports Gfinity.

Esports fans in the region can follow the action via Starz Play Arabia.

Eight teams took part in the first round with four separate matches which all included three race challenges. The professional racers, who were all behind the wheel of an exclusively-designed V10 car, were tasked with navigating the world-renowned Monza track in the sim racing game Assetto Corsa.

YAS HEAT started the competition well and currently sit in mid-table following their encounter with JAESA Team Suzuki, and the UAE-based team will be looking to maintain momentum in the second round when drivers will take on the iconic Brands Hatch.

Read: BMW Middle East to organise esports training sessions throughout September

The first round of action was dominated by Williams Esports and Porsche24 Redline, who both won all three of their race challenges against BWT Racing Point Esports and BMW Motorsport SIM Racing Team respectively.

Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management launched YAS HEAT ESPORTS last month, in partnership with Veloce Esports, intending to discover and develop UAE gaming talent in an unprecedented recruitment programme designed to create the leading esports brand in the Middle East.

The creation of the YAS HEAT Open Trials, meanwhile, aims to provide a platform for aspiring local competitors to hone their skills, progressing to a level that will enable them to take part in tournaments around the globe. Promoters want to position Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE as an emerging esports destination.