Formula E driver Daniel Abt is going to need a new team when real races resume after being fired from his race team, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, just days being caught cheating in an online race.
“Today I was informed in a conversation with Audi that our ways will split from now on, we won’t be racing together in Formula E any more and the cooperation has ended,” Abt announced in a YouTube video.
In a Race at Home Challenge race on Saturday, May 23, Daniel Abt placed third in the event. However, it wasn’t actually Abt that was behind the virtual wheel. Rather, Abt had hired professional esports racer Lorenz Horzing to drive in his place.
After the organizers of the event cross-referenced the IP addresses of all participants, it was discovered that Abt wasn’t actually participating in the race. Because of that, he was quickly fined €10,000, and disqualified from the event.
The 27-year-old driver quickly apologized and accepted his punishment for his actions during the event, stating that he didn’t take the event as seriously as he should have.
“I am especially sorry about this because I know how much work has gone into this project on the part of the Formula E organization,” he said. “I am aware that my offense has a bitter aftertaste but it was never meant with any bad intention.”
Questions regarding his “effort” in the race were brought up during the live stream when Stoffel Vandoorne said he wasn’t happy with Abt on the course.
“I’m really not happy here,” Vandoorne said. “[I’m sure] that was not Daniel driving.”
After news of Abt’s disqualification and subsequent firing, fellow Formula E driver Antonio Felix da Costa came to his colleague’s defense over such a seemingly harsh punishment.
“It’s just a game guys,” he said. “We all know Daniel as a fun guy and a joker.”
In addition to coming to his defense, Felix de Costa said that he was done streaming on Twitch due to the toxic nature of the fanbase after Saturday’s race. He was joined by fellow driver James Calado in that sentiment.
So sports gamers, what do you think of Abt being fired from his real-life racing team for cheating in an esport event? Let us know in the comment section below, and stick with Sports Gamers Online for more.