DANIEL ABT has been suspended by the Audi Formula E team after cheating in an online Esports race.
Incredibly, the German was disqualified from the virtual Berlin E-Prix and fined £9,000 after he let professional Esports sim racer, Lorenz Hoerzing, take his place.
Daniel Abt has been suspended by his Audi Formula 3 team for letting a pro Esports racer take his placeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Furious Audi chiefs have responded by axing the 27-year-old with immediate effect.
A statement from the German car giant read: “Daniel Abt did not drive his car in qualifying and the race at the fifth event of the Race at Home Challenge on 23rd May himself, but let a professional sim-racer do so.
“He directly apologised for this on the following day and accepted the disqualification.
“Integrity, transparency and consistent compliance with applicable rules are top priorities for Audi – this applies to all activities the brand is involved in without exception.
“For this reason, Audi Sport has decided to suspend Daniel Abt with immediate effect.”
RUMBLED BY ANGRY TEAM-MATES
Abt, who had qualified in second place and finished third last Saturday, was quickly rumbled by fellow racers Stoffle Vandoorne and two-time FE champion Jean-Eric Vergne.
At the time Vandoorne said: “Really not happy here because that was not Daniel driving the car himself.”
Vergne also doubted whether he was racing, as his camera was switched off.
He added: “Please ask Daniel Abt to put his Zoom next time he’s driving, because like Stoffel said, I’m pretty sure he wasn’t in.”
Formula E launched an investigation and discovered his IP address was incorrect and placed 18-year-old Hoerzing at the wheel.
Abt has contested every single FE race since the championship started in 2014 but has yet to score a point this season. His future at Audi now looks over.
Abt has apologised to his fans, teams and fellow drivers in a statement and said: “I did not take it as seriously as I should have.
“I am especially sorry about this because I know how much work has gone into this project on the part of the Formula E organisation.
“I am aware that my offence has a bitter aftertaste, but it was never meant with any bad intention. Of course, I accept my disqualification from the race.”
The German was disqualified from the virtual Berlin E-Prix and fined £9,000Credit: Instagram / @danie_abt
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
