Charlie Eastwood announced as a thought-leader for #AUTOSPORT2090
Aston Martin endurance driver Charlie Eastwood has joined Autosport International 2020’s thought-provoking #AUTOSPORT2090 project.
To celebrate 70 years of motorsport, #AUTOSPORT2090 will engage leading motorsport experts to inspire university students to share their vision of the motorsport landscape in 70 years time.
#AUTOSPORT2090 - The future of motorsport in 70 years
Motorsport has seen a major shift with Formula 1 and FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) both investing in top level esports drivers and technologies. Esports helps develop on-track success as well as encouraging a younger audience to participate in online motorsport.
Belfast born Charlie explains how esports could change the future of motorsport: “I think it is going to start to merge into motorsport, you might have to do a qualification on an esports system before you are able to compete professionally. It is really connecting with a new audience and a younger audience for so many of the brands especially the likes of Aston Martin, which is trying to engage a lower age group. Simulations are so realistic and every driver on this grid is using it for their own personal use, but I think it might become part of WEC.”
RetroFuture - Most significant innovation of the last 70 years
As well as looking at the future of motorsport, Charlie is a thought-leader for RetroFuture. This Autosport International project looks at the most significant innovations that motorsport has introduced in the last 70 years to benefit everyday drivers.
Charlie explains the progress in safety: “The most significant innovation of the last 70 years is safety, you look back and hear of so many unfortunate accidents, but safety has improved massively. Innovations such as the HANS (head and neck protection) device systems as well as Aston Martin’s work with the FIA to homologate the crash structure of the Vantage has made drivers as safe as possible.”
Currently racing in WEC and the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup for the Aston Martin supported racing team, TF Sport, Charlie has gained a wealth of experience at the pinnacle of endurance racing with a recent highlight being a class win in this years 24h of Spa.
Racing the all-new Aston Martin Vantage GTE, Charlie looked competitive in the first round of the new WEC season at Silverstone and the Aston Martin driver is confident of success across a competitive season. The next race is the 4 hours of Shanghai with the season culminating in Le Mans 24h in June.
The University students’ projects will be revealed at Autosport International, held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham from January 9th-12th 2020.
Book your tickets before November 30th 2019 to save 10%. For full details on ticket offers, visit the Autosport International website: https://www.autosportinternational.com/