Eight weeks of intense competition culminated in a thrilling showdown at the inaugural Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, featuring hundreds of participants and a prize pool worth millions. Luke Bennett, a 19-year-old from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, emerged as the world champion in the sim racing category, taking home a remarkable £100,000.
Bennett, a member of Team Redline, an affiliate of Red Bull’s Formula 1 team, expressed his disbelief at his victory, saying, “It’s pretty surreal.” He aspires to transition his esports accomplishments into a real-world motorsport career.
“Sim racing feels just like driving a car in reality, but in a digital format,” Bennett explained, highlighting the authenticity of the experience. Despite Team Redline’s long-standing presence in the esports arena, Bennett noted that many are still taken aback when he discusses the substantial prize money associated with such competitions. He stated, “It shows it’s getting bigger and bigger, and it can be a career for some people.”
Throughout the tournament, Team Redline consistently excelled, never finishing outside the top four in the grand finals. Reflecting on his journey, Bennett remarked, “It’s been a rough few months,” acknowledging the relentless practice that paved the way for his success.
Looking ahead, Bennett acknowledges the uncertainties within the esports field but remains optimistic. He is excited about the potential of the newly announced Olympic Esports Games set to take place in Saudi Arabia next year, highlighting a growing recognition of esports on a global stage.
Bennett described the event’s location as a “really cool setting” and is eager to pursue further victories, saying that representing his nation in the Olympics would be “unbelievable.” He is driven to excel in all aspects of racing, stating, “We may be world champions, but there’s always more. We want to be world champions in everything, so we’ll keep going.”
As the esports industry continues to expand, Bennett aims not only to innovate online but also to break into the real-world motorsport scene, hoping that his success in sim racing opens doors for his future endeavors. “If not, I’ve got plenty of time to decide what I want to do as I’m still only 19,” he concluded, underscoring his ambition and potential in the world of racing.