Sim scandal in Formula E: Audi fires Daniel Abt!

May 26, 2020

31 1 minute read

– May 26, 2020

Audi fires Dept.

Daniel Abt loses his Formula E cockpit with immediate effect after not competing in the ABB FIA Formula E Race at Home Challenge.

Dthe scandal surrounding Daniel Abt still had serious consequences. The 27-year-old loses his Formula E cockpit at Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler with immediate effect.

Background: Abt did not compete himself in the fifth race of the FIA ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge, a virtual racing series, but instead had the professional Simracer Lorenz Hörzing start under his name. Abt apologized afterwards, but Formula E fined him a fine of $ 10,000, disqualified him and stripped him of all the points he had previously achieved in the virtual championship (all details can be found HERE).

But that’s not all. Audi is now separating from Daniel Abt. In a statement it says: “Integrity, transparency and the permanent compliance with given rules have top priority for Audi. This applies without exception to all activities in which the brand is involved. For this reason, Audi Sport has decided to suspend Daniel Abt with immediate effect. ”

The virtual Formula E Championship was fatal for Daniel Abt

So far, Daniel Abt has competed in all 63 Formula E races for the Audi Abt team. Only his team-mate Lucas di Grassi and Virgin driver Sam Bird were otherwise involved in all previous runs of the electrical series. Abt won two races in Mexico and Berlin in 2018, but was clearly in the shadow of his stable companion di Grassi.

This should also end Daniel Abt’s racing career. Already last year he explained: “If I don’t get a new contract, it was probably for me in motorsport. I don’t really feel like doing GT3 races or anything like that. ”

It is unclear who will take over Daniel Abt’s cockpit. Most recently, Kelvin van der Linde and Mattia Drudi tested for Audi in Formula E. With Nico Müller (Dragon) and Robin Frijns (Virgin Audi), two other Audi factory drivers are also in the Formula E lineup.