Former Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso has invested in an eSports racing platform.
Indy 500 racer Alonso has bought a stake in Motorsport Games, part of the Motorsport Network, and will join the company鈥檚 board.
Motorsport Games partners with UK gaming company Codemasters and also helps to run the Le Mans Esport Series and Nascar鈥檚 eNascar Heat Pro League.
Other racing series could join forces with Motorsport Games down the line.
鈥渆Sport is no longer a fantasy, it鈥檚 a reality and something I have been passionate about for some time,鈥� Alonso said.
鈥淚nvesting in and helping to lead Motorsport Games will allow me to make a real contribution to this exciting aspect of motorsport鈥檚 future.
鈥渆Sport is not better or worse, but it is different and one of the important distinctions is that it provides a way to open up motor racing to the fans.
鈥淚n all aspects of my motor racing career, whether in F1, in IndyCars or last weekend in Sebring with sports cars, one of the consistent factors all over the world is Motorsport Network.
鈥淭heir scale, as well as their commitment to eSport with all of their recent initiatives, convinced me that Motorsport Games is an organisation with great capability and ambition.鈥�
Zak Brown, chairman of Miami-based Motorsport Network, said: 鈥淗aving Fernando add his investment, reputation and leadership to Motorsport Games is hugely exciting.
鈥淚n a short space of time, Motorsport Network has taken a lead in the eSports and games space with the acquisition of 704Games, holder of Nascar games licence, the joint venture with Le Mans and the recent partnership with Codemasters and we are in advanced discussion with a number of other global championships.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure that adding Fernando鈥檚 contribution and enthusiasm will catapult Motorsport Games to a leadership position in eSports.鈥�