E-racer fined for cheating in virtual race

Audi Formula E driver Daniel Abt has been found guilty of using a professional esport racer to drive for him in the Formula E esport championship, leading to his race third place disqualification and a 10,000 euro fine.

The Formula E Race at Home Challenge Series, a virtual championship running during COVID-19 restrictions, saw Abt qualify second at the virtual Flughafen Tempelhof circuit in Berlin and finish third behind Oliver Rowland and former F1 driver Stoffel Vandoorne, The Guardian reports.

Vandoorne and two-time FE champion Jean-Eric Vergne voiced their suspicions and Formula E investigated, announcing Abt was disqualified from the race for sporting misconduct.

The Guardian says it believes Formula E checked IP addresses, learning that Abt could not have been the driver.

Professional gamer Lorenz Hoerzing has been identified as the driver instead of Abt, it reports.

Abt has admitted he called in outside help and has apologised.