Sitting third in the championship, 19-year-old Iranian racer Bari Boroumand has helped lead McLaren Shadow's fight for the 2022 F1 Esports Series Pro Championship title, with a victory and five podiums in total.

Ahead of the season finale on 14 - 16 December, we grabbed Bari on a day in the Shadow Studio and got to know him a little better over a lap of one of his favourite circuits, Zandvoort.

How did you get into esports?

I am a real-life racing driver as well, but when I turned 14-years-old, the cost to continue to race properly was super high, so I decided to join F1 esports and use that to continue to pursue my dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver.

Why did you want to race for McLaren?

McLaren is one of the most famous names in the world, it’s always a pleasure to represent a brand like McLaren.

How would you describe your racing style?

I would say that I'm quite an aggressive driver, in the sense that I like to take risks when it comes to overtakes and try and push myself to make difficult moves happen. I do try and keep the risk as low as possible.

Your favourite track to drive?

It is tough to choose, but I would say one of Zandvoort, Bahrain or Spa. I enjoy driving on all three of them a lot.

Your favourite activity away from esports?

I would say, racing in real life. That's how I got into esports initially, and it's still my dream. I've driven in karting and Formula 4 before.

Your most significant achievement to date?

That would be either winning my first race in F1 Esports, which was an amazing feeling, or driving a Formula 4 car for the first time.

What does your training regime involve?

I wake up early, eat a healthy breakfast and then drive in two-hour intervals with breaks in between for the rest of the day. Once I finish, I eat dinner and then chill for the rest of the evening, sometimes playing FIFA or going to the gym.

What's the best thing about being in esports?

It’s a special feeling when you drive in esports. There are so many talented drivers out there, and you are competing and fighting against the very best. Representing an F1 team like McLaren is an honour.

A fact people might not know about you?

I'm very good at the football video game FIFA, and I was once in the top five in division rivals on the game.

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