Interview Dani Moreno: The revelation of F1 Esports

Dani Moreno is a well-known figure in the world of sim racing as he started competing in it two and a half years ago. Very quickly, the young Spanish driver showed very good top speed and early on faced the best players on PS4 at AOR. He ultimately won the title in season 19 and confirmed himself as the best player on PS4. It is therefore very logical that McLaren chose him as a full-time driver for the 2020 F1 Esports season.

What were your goals at the beginning of the season?

My goal before the start of the season was to finish in the top 8 of the driver’s championship, which I managed to do, so I am very happy to have achieved it. I remember in an interview I said I wanted to do it, and I did it.

Were you nervous before your first race?

Yes, it was a different kind of pressure than what I was used to. Going from league racing to the biggest competition in the world was truly impressive and to be honest, I struggled to perform under pressure for most of the season. It was also the first time I did the full qualifications, which is tougher because you have to perform well in 3 sessions and not just one.

You only missed the points 3 times this season, what does this statistic evoke for you?

I think it’s a really positive statistic. For my first season missing points only 3 times is a promising sign. I would have liked to score points in every race but the beginning of the season was tough for me as I had to learn to handle the pressure I wasn’t used to. But in the last round, I entered the top 6 three times which shows my progress this season.

How long do you train for each race?

We train a lot. This is what we do for a living so we put a lot of time into this game, especially to find the ideal settings. Typically, we have to test 6 settings for each race which takes a lot of time. I would say we train between 5 and 10 hours each day. It really depends on whether we have other things to do during the day. In my case, I also have to continue my studies at university but we also have rest days so as not to get saturated by the game and lose our motivation.

What does it feel like to stand on a podium in F1 Esports?

This is an amazing feeling. I think it’s proof that I have the rhythm to be in Esports; my racing pace and race management are always fantastic. I got this 2nd place starting 8th, which is something very difficult to do. It also shows that the team did a remarkable job in finding the ideal setup and strategy. For the next season, I hope to have more podiums and wins.

What does it feel like to be James Baldwin’s teammate, winner of the “Fastest Gamers” competition? Did he give you any advice?

To fly alongside someone who is probably the only person in the world to be as strong in so many games is a real honor. James is a fantastic person and pilot, and he really helped me progress this season. He pushed me to my limits, and we have a very good relationship which helps a lot. I don’t think people recognize James for his true worth. He has so many different commitments, plays so many games, and yet he is often the best at everything he does. He helped me become a better pilot.

The esport structure Veloce is associated with McLaren and Alfa Romeo, have you talked and exchanged information with the Alfa Romeo drivers?

No we are two very different teams.

You finished 8th this season, what is your goal for the next year?

Given how I progressed at the end of the year, I think my goal for next season would be to finish in the top 5. Of course, my main goal is to become world champion one day, but for now it is important to stay grounded. It will also be a new game so we do not yet know what it will bring. Also, with drivers like Jarno Opmeer and Frederik Rasmussen racing in this championship, it will be very difficult to beat them, but I will do my best.

Is your goal one day to engage in motorsport or are you planning to

My dream has always been to become a real racing driver, but to become one, it takes a lot of money, which I don’t really have, so the closest thing I can do is play car simulation games, which I love. I hope one day I will be able to do motor racing, but if not, I know that I will always be very happy racing at home.