Saudi Arabian smart city Neom has expanded its involvement with McLaren Racing to include the organisation’s esports team.
Confirmed:
- Neom and McLaren Shadow to collaborate on developing talent pathways in Saudi Arabia
- Programme will focus on developing talent from grassroots to professional sim racing, with the chance to train in the McLaren Shadow academy
- The McLaren Shadow team will have a bespoke livery
Context:
The Saudi Arabian smart city already sponsors McLaren’s Formula E and Extreme E teams under the ‘Neom McLaren Electric Racing’ banner. McLaren is heavily involved in the state-funded project, with the Woking-based organisation having signed on as founding and technical partner of Neom coastal city Oxagon’s self-described ‘advanced and clean’ manufacturing ecosystem.
Comment:
Neil Walker, head of esports and gaming at McLaren Racing, said: “The team are pleased to welcome Neom to McLaren Shadow, building on their successful partnership with our Neom McLaren Electric Racing teams in Formula E and Extreme E. We look forward to the collaboration to come, with a focus on developing grassroots talent in the sport.
“This is incredibly important to the team and wider McLaren Racing family. Supporting the talent of tomorrow is a key aim of our talent pathways, of which our own Wilson Hughes is a key example.”
Coming next:
This announcement will line up with the start of the 2023 esports schedule, although there is currently no start date for this season. Technical issues with the F1 23 game may be to blame for the delay.