Former F1 Esports Champion Brendon Leigh Joins Ferrari From Mercedes

In what is a major surprise, Brendon Leigh has swapped Mercedes for Ferrari, with the former F1 Esports champion having been unveiled by his new team on Monday. Having made the move, Leigh will team up with 2019 champion David Tonizza at the Ferrari Driver Academy Esports team for the upcoming season.

What Leigh Has Had to Say on the Move

The switch by Leigh also means that it will be the first time in which two champions have featured on the same team in the series, with the 21-year-old having spoken of his excitement at joining Ferrari:

“My excitement in joining the FDA Esports team is off the scale,” said Leigh, as he swaps the black of Mercedes for the red of Ferrari. I’ve only just signed, but it’s already clear to me that their passion and commitment to winning mirrors my own. I get a sense of the unity within the team which makes it one big race-winning family. I can’t wait to get to work with the team and sport the red Ferrari colours!”

The Brit also thanked his former team, stating that: “Of course this brings my time with @MercedesAMGF1 to a close. The time spent with Mercedes has been wonderful, They made me feel like family and that warms my heart. I’ll never forget that, thank you everyone”.

Leigh had been with Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Esports team since 2018, having performed well in the 2017 Grand Final. It was with Mercedes where the Brit dominated the 2018 season, recording no fewer than six wins. However, the youngster was made to take a back seat in 2019, with new teammate Tonizza having won the championship after coming out on top in three races. Such an achievement led to many dubbing the Italian “Tonzilla”.

What Can We Expect from Ferrari During the 2021 Season?

The news that Leigh and Tonizza will be on the same team has got many within the F1 Esports scene talking, with it remaining to be seen as to just how Ferrari will manage the duo. Little separated the duo in 2020, however it was ultimately Leigh who outscored his rival, 84-79. While Tonizza registered two race wins, Leigh was a regular visitor to the podium, which eventually saw him come out on top.

It has yet to be unveiled as to who Mercedes will replace Leigh with, however with time running out ahead of the 2021 season, an announcement is expected sooner rather than later.