Mercedes AMG F1 Team and Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team reserve and development driver Esteban Gutierrez has retained the services of SQN for the provision of communications support related to his esports and personal activities.
The Mexican has been one of the standout performers in esports during F1’s lockdown period; he finished runner-up in the second The Race All-Star Series Pro-Cup and added a third consecutive F1 Virtual Grand Prix podium on Sunday.
Esteban, who has 59 F1 starts to his name in a career spanning seven seasons, has used the recent lockdown period to master his online racing craft, transforming his home into a dedicated sim. In order to immerse himself fully into the online community, he has joined streaming platform Twitch and chat platform Discord, to drive closer connections to his global fanbase.
His ultimate target is to return to a full-time F1 race seat, while developing his personal brand in the on- and offline world. Adjacent to his racing commitments, Esteban is also keen to nurture and establish and promote his entrepreneurial credentials.
SQN will support Esteban with a dedicated communications programme, focused on maximising his esports and streaming commitments, while also engaging in sustained PR and media engagement outside of his native Mexico. Esports specialist Tom Pickering will be working with SQN’s Client Services Manager, Chris Hughes, alongside Esteban and his team, to deliver this work.
Esteban Gutierrez said: “I have been looking for a communications partner to support my esports and online commitments for some time; the team at SQN have demonstrated the skills and experience required to support my objectives. I am determined to keep up my esports and streaming activities, immersing myself in this world with maximum effort and respect for those already in the community. I am also aiming to use this online platform as a way of keeping my race skills sharp, should they be required in my reserve role for Mercedes AMG F1 Team, and to show my versatility as a full-time racing driver.”
Chris Hughes said: “We are delighted to be working with Esteban and his team, to provide communications support around his esports, streaming and personal commitments. Esports has provided a much-needed alternative to real-world racing in recent months, and there have been some unique events organised in a short space of time. Esteban has been keen to join the esports community in a respectful way, and to represent the Mercedes AMG F1 Team in a professional manner. He has accomplished that with some impressive results, but he is keen to continue his online presence and to use that as a platform to showcase his driving skills and racing talent to a worldwide audience. We look forward to supporting him in this chapter of his career.”
