The closest fight in Formula 1 doesn't exist between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, or in the midfield between McLaren, Racing Point, and Renault.
It's on the F1 2020 game, and among 30 of the most talented sim drivers on the planet. F1 Esports is back for the 2020 campaign, and there is one team among them all that is most feared.
Can the champion defend his crown?
David Tonizza went from unknown to champion in 2019, and is looking to hold onto his crown this season.
As the one driver to finally unseat Brendon Leigh from atop F1 Esports, a lot of people would expect Tonizza to be the favourite to retain the crown. However, the field is remarkably competitive, and Tonizza's FDA Hublot team were not Team Champions in 2019, that honour went to Red Bull.
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The Bulls have made some changes to their team, bringing Marcel Keifer in to add to the deadly Frederik Rasmussen.
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Even they though, may have to bow to the new powerhouse...
The team to beat
After a busy round of transfers and signings, there is just one team to beat this year.
In a press conference the defending champion had just one team on his mind.
"The strongest lineup in my opinion is the Alfa Romeo one."
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Tonizza wasn't the only one to identify Alfa Romeo as the biggest threat on the grid.
McLaren Shadow driver James Baldwin was also in the press conference and pointed to the Alfas as an enormous opponent.
"The team to beat has got to be Alfa Romeo" He said, "Statistically they have got the best team."
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Dani Bereznay and Jarno Opmeer finished third and fourth in the Drivers Championship last year, with Bereznay in the Alfa and Opmeer in the Renault.
Opmeer in particular has caught the eye.
"Rumours flying round the F1 Esports Paddock that some of the times they're doing are very quick." Added Baldwin.
Tonizza didn't hold back when asked who he saw as the biggest threat to his title. "If I have to say one, I'd say Jarno. Last year he was really, really fast. From the test races we have had this season we saw that he's insanely fast."
How to watch F1 Esports
Watch Event 1 of the F1 Esports Pro Series presented by Aramco on 14-15 October live on F1’s official Facebook, YouTube and Twitch channels. For full info on how to watch visit https://www.f1esports.com/
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