Cem Bolukbasi is set to become the first gamer to go from Esports to Formula Two with the Turk set to race in F1’s feeder championship season.
On Wednesday, Bolukbasi revealed he had signed a deal with Czech-based Charouz Racing System and outlined his dream to one day race in the Formula One championship
Bolukbasi is switching Esports for the real thingGETTY
“If I was never in F1 Esports, I would never have had the chance to get into a real car. I would not be where I am now,” said Bolukbasi.
“I think it’s also very important to be the first gamer to do this, because it can give people hope. If people see that one person can do it, they will believe they can do it as well.
“If I can go from F1 Esports to Formula Two, I think anyone can.”
Bolukbasi, 23, began his career in racing on virtual racetracks with the F1 esports series, making his debut in 2017 and continuing for three seasons.
The Turk has been racing in F3 over the last few yearsGETTY
He also won the 2020 Formula Renault Esport Series and finished runner-up on the real racetrack in the GT4 European Series the same year.
He tested an F2 car after the end of last season in Abu Dhabi, but before that he raced in Formula Three in 2021, scoring points in 13 of his 15 races.
Bolukbasi has been backed by several big Turkish companies and state agencies, as well as Turkey’s Motor Sports Federation (TOSFED).
The last Turkish driver to compete at F2 level was Jason Tahincioglu, son of former TOSFED president Mumtaz, who failed to score a point in 2006 and 2007.
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