More than half a million gamers entered worldwide. But only one will become our McLaren Shadow Driver.

Seven competitors from around the world will head to McLaren HQ for their toughest challenge yet - the McLaren Shadow Project grand-finals.

The world's biggest esports racing competition will feature four days of intense tests and race offs, with two of the days streamed via our YouTube channel on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 January 2019.

The winner of the search for the brightest and best esports racing talent will receive a seat in the McLaren Shadow esports team, and the opportunity to join our esports development programme, to hone their skills and work with our F1 team.

Who are the finalists?

Ebrahim Almubarak, Bahrain, qualified via Atyaf eRacing

Miguel Ballester, Spain, qualified via Forza Motorsport 7

Henrik Drue, Denmark, qualified via Real Racing 3

Igor Fraga, Brazil, qualified via the Logitech G Challenge

Xiang Gao, China, via HTC Vive

Marcus Jensen, Denmark, via iRacing

Nuno Pinto, Portugal, via rFactor 2

How will they be put to the test?

The competition will play out over four days. 

The drivers will take to the track on the world’s best racing games, including Forza Motorsport 7, Real Racing 3, Project Cars 2, iRacing and rFactor 2. Powered by Alienware PCs and screens, the driver rigs will be comprised of Sparco gaming seats and Logitech G wheels, pedals and headphones. The competitors will race in virtual reality on Project Cars 2 using the VIVE Pro McLaren Limited Edition VR system and battle it out on mobile on Real Racing 3.

Outside of gameplay, McLaren Applied Technologies’ human performance division underpins the McLaren Shadow Project and finalists will be the subject of rigorous human performance testing, including looking at their physical and mental resilience and performance in the McLaren automotive simulator, before being tested on their real-world racing skills during a track day at Dunsfold in a McLaren 570S GT4 car.

Ben Payne, Head of esports at McLaren, said:

"We’ve been blown away by the number of talented gamers who have taken part in the competition this year. We’ve created the most open and inclusive racing esports tournamanet on the planet, with players competing on multiple platforms on the biggest games. This year, more than ever before, the competition shadows McLaren’s real world. We’re treating them as we would one of our Formula 1 drivers, and this is reflected in the challenging week-long Shadow finals. The semi-finals had me on the edge of my seat so I can’t wait to see what the final brings."

Rudy van Buren, 2017 winner, said:

"This competition changes lives. 12 months ago I was a kitchen salesman in Lelystad, Netherlands. Since then I’ve become a simulator driver for McLaren, driven a world championship-winning F1 car at Goodwood, raced and beaten a Le Mans winner at the Race of Champions and given VIPs the thrill of a lifetime in McLaren supercars during Formula 1 race weekends as part of McLaren’s involvement in the Pirelli Hot Laps experience. My advice for the finalists is race hard and stay focused, the possibilities are endless."

Keeping up with the competition

The live finals, presented by a team led by Nicki Shields, start at 7pm GMT / 8pm CET / 11am PST on our McLaren channels.

You can watch the stream at the following addresses:

16th www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbqCbGzhiGM

17th www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7dYS1h2PcM

Make sure you follow @McLarenShadow on Twitter and Instagram for live updates both before and during the Grand Finale.