Diogo Jota and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang swapped the football pitch for the world of gaming as they competed in a special sim racing event alongside F1 stars Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon on Wednesday.
The virtual race took part in Monte Carlo ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, and was used to promote the launch of the new video game F1 24, which is due to be released on May 31.
Liverpool striker Jota is a keen gamer, and was caught on the EA Sports Companion App when he arrived for training earlier this season. He also revealed back in 2020 that gaming had helped him pass the time during the Covid-19 pandemic, while Aubameyang also enjoys the hobby, and the Marseille forward was more than happy to join Jota at the racing event.
Electronic Arts’ ‘The Ten Racers’ competition saw the contestants battle it out in a virtual event around the iconic Monegasque street circuit, and it was Leclerc who came out on top.
Albon initially finished second, but dropped to third behind content creator Maxime MXM due to receiving a three-second time penalty.
Diogo Jota took part in a special sim racing event before this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix
He was joined by fellow footballer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (pictured)
They took on Ferrari star Charles Leclerc, as they promoted the new video game F1 24
Leclerc won the race, with fellow F! star Alex Albon (pictured) coming third after a three-second time penalty
They raced around the iconic Monegasque race circuit (pictured) which will host Sunday’s grand prix
Aubameyang emerged with bragging rights over his fellow footballer as he came eighth, while Jota took ninth place.
Leclerc will hope it is a sign of things to come leading into Sunday’s grand prix, as he looks to close the gap to championship leader Max Verstappen.
The three-time world champion currently holds a 48-point advantage over Leclerc in the drivers’ standings, with Sergio Perez and Lando Norris just six and 12 points behind Leclerc, respectively.
Meanwhile, Williams’ Albon is one of five drivers yet to pick up a point in 2024, and will be bidding to break his duck this weekend.
Aubameyang will have plenty of time this summer to practice his gaming after the Ligue 1 season finished last weekend, but Jota has Euro 2024 to look forward to.
He has been named in Portugal’s 26-man squad, with Roberto Martinez aiming to guide his team to their second European Championship after they won the tournament eight years ago under Fernando Santos.
