Rudy van Buren becomes McLaren simulator driver

Launched last May by McLaren in partnership with Darren Cox, founder of GT Academy, the eSports competition World's Fastest Gamer offered its winner, not a traditional financial reward, but a position as a simulator driver within the Woking team.

A more than tempting timbale, and which ultimately returned to the Dutchman Rudy van buren among the 30 participants initially engaged. Aged 000, this former pilot of karting, forced to end his career due to lack of financial means, beat his compatriot Freek Schothorst in the final after a final round organized on the McLaren simulator.

“This has been the most incredible experience and words cannot describe how I feel right now, specifies van Buren. To imagine that I came to the McLaren Technology Center for the very first time last week, and that I am leaving here today as a new McLaren employee is mind-blowing.

I can't thank everyone enough for giving me this incredible opportunity. Just being here, meeting the team and competing with amazing people has been an unforgettable experience. This was truly the hardest job interview I've ever had, but with an incredible reward. »

Among the events on the menu for the competitors, several simulation tests on some of the most famous circuits in the world, such as Indianapolis, Suzuka, Interlagos, but also the layout of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, used for a whole day.

« It was an extremely difficult competition, where we made great efforts to push our competitors beyond their limits, comments Zak Brown, executive director of McLaren Technology Group.

Rudy will be a real asset to our organization as we develop and refine our 2018 car throughout the upcoming season. »

McLaren will leave engine manufacturer Honda in 2018 to use the Power Unit Renault for single-seaters entrusted to Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne.