And the accessible nature of Esports is making the difference with Team Cayman Islands one of many countries able to benefit from the “great gateway to getting us into the sport,” according to its Esports GT representative, Karyll Shakir Iton.

After travelling for one and a half days to reach Valencia, Iton has pointed to the lack of barriers to participation as being a big part of the appeal of Esports: “Motor sport can be expensive, but Esports is a great gateway to motor sport for anyone. It’s a great door-opener and I love to see the FIA has gotten behind it so strongly.”

Iton’s team-mate Ian Charlery, 40, who is competing in Esports F4, said: “We are trailblazers and this is just the beginning. We’re a small country with not a lot of motor sport facilities but we have motor sport in our hearts. Esports allows us to blaze a trail and maybe we can get on track in a car the next time we come here.”

President of Cayman Motoring Federation Jane Scaletta (pictured above centre) has accompanied Iton (above left) and Charlery (above right) to Valencia. She explained the important role the FIA has played in making the country’s dream of competing in the FIA Motorsport Games dream become a reality.

“This moment is due to the help we have received from our Vice President of North America Sport Daniel Coen who has been brilliant,” Scaletta said. “From other ASNs in our regions who have helped as grow and from the President of the FIA. It’s amazing how far we’ve come in a short period of time because of FIA support.”

Angel Inostroza is Team Chile’s representative in Esports GT and one of 57 athletes competing in the category in Valencia. He said: “This is my first Motorsport Games. Esports is the only way we can enjoy racing and it’s great we are here at this event.”

Mentored by ex-Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong through a talent search initiative organised by Motorsports Association of Malaysia, Naquib Azlan (pictured above), is competing in Esports GT at the third FIA Motorsport Games. It’s an opportunity to put his country on the Esports map.

“Malaysia is an up-and-coming nation in Esports, we have very strong contenders in the country and we went through a deep qualification process to get here,” Azlan said. “I’ve been very fortunate to make it to the FIA Motorsport Games this year, and hopefully I will bring back some silverware for the country. 

“My driver coach is Alex Yoong and it’s a true honour to be coached by him as he put Malaysia on the motor sport map. All of us are pushing to make Malaysia a bigger force in the world of motor sport. It doesn’t stop at Malaysia, but all of Asia as well – it’s a true honour to represent the nation but also the region as well.”

Hong Kong, China’s Calix Poon is hoping his FIA Motorsport Games participation in Esports F4 will help to further his career ambitions.

“I have been watching the FIA Motorsport Games since the first edition,” said the 19-year-old, who is studying aerospace engineering at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. “I would love to become an F1 engineer, it’s more realistic for me because I excel more in calculation and designing but it’s been my dream to be here.”

The FIA Motorsport Games Esports events are being held at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia from today (Thursday) until Saturday.