Hong Kong pro driver Dan Wells to oversee Lamborghini’s debut esports team, urges locals to go virtual amid travel restrictions
- ‘The main target is to make sure Lamborghini wins’, says the 30-year-old as stars finally align after pandemic-impacted seasons
- Wells outlines why esports is the only way in Hong Kong until borders open and the ‘huge’ potential for Asian drivers
Dan Wells was lining up a “breakthrough year” in 2020 before virtually all of his races – including a “dream” spot at Le Mans – were cancelled due to Covid-19.
But every cloud has a silver lining. Amid the pandemic lockdowns and limitations, the Hong Kong professional racing car driver instead entered virtual SRO Esports races across European and Asian circuits.
Wells stuck with his trusty Lamborghini – which he raced with at the Super Trofeo Asia the previous year – and would stay up until the break of dawn to qualify with laptimes.
Two years on and the 30-year-old has been named team principal of the first-ever Automobili Lamborghini Esports Team, overseeing one of the biggest real-world names in an industry destined for success.
“It was tough because 2020 was actually meant to be my breakthrough year after 10 years of hard work,” said Wells, born in England before moving to Hong Kong in 2012.
He and teammate Oscar Lee are leading in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe Championship Pro-Am Cup with Rexal FFF Racing Group this season having finished second in the World Finals with a different team last November.
“I had 22 races confirmed including Le Mans – the dream was confirmed – and then 20 of them got cancelled.
“There were a lot of questions about, ‘what are the opportunities [in esports]? Is it serious? Should I invest this time into it?’
“I just know from my own story, staying up ‘till six in the morning driving a Lamborghini around Silverstone, changing set-ups to get it as fast as possible. If I’d have just gone to bed at 10 [the night before], this opportunity wouldn’t have come about.”
Lamborghini’s inaugural esports team comprises of sim drivers Jordan Sherratt, Gianfranco Giglioli and Giorgio Simonini. Lamborghini’s first venture into esports was its founding of a competition called The Real Race in 2020.
The trio have already shown remarkable results in the ever-dense GT World Challenge Esports Sprint Series Europe and Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports Endurance Championships.
Wells will manage vital areas such as coaching, communication and admin, while cooperating with manufacturers, engineers and back room staff in their support of drivers and circuit preparation.
His more than a decade’s experience in the physical realm has provided him with “a decent global view in motorsport” as he envisions long-term virtual development and investment.
“But the main target is to make sure that Lamborghini wins,” Wells said.
“And for that, we need to work on car models and play with the set-up to make sure we have the right drivers and people in place. We want to see Lamborghini on the top step of the virtual world and as successful as they have been in the real world.
“We know that it might not happen immediately, but that’s where we need to figure out areas to work on within the team. Our first event together gives us a lot of encouragement for the rest of the season.”
Wells is based in Bologna, Italy near Lamborghini’s Sant’Agata Bolognese factory alongside Taiwanese-American testing development driver Lee.
Though there is much virtual groundwork to be laid, the potential is endless. It is also an opportunity to attract new, younger demographics, something Wells is relishing.
“I think we need to show that there is potential for Asia – there is some very, very good talent here,” Wells said, teasing a promising 17-year-old Hongkonger who will travel to the UK for a tailored summer motorsports programme.
“It’s very exciting, especially in Asia where there’s a lot of esports going on. If they can get the attention, and show that they are good enough, then why not?
“Esports is only going to grow and get more professional in the coming years, and I think we’re here to capitalise at the right time.”
Wells started his motorsports career on a Logitech G27 in 2007 and was one of the first to make the sim-to-real world switch. He described the difference since then as “huge” but is confident that aspiring drivers can do the same if they put in the work.
“It’s a great way to get more people involved in the sport regardless, certainly in Hong Kong right now,” said Wells, who holds exclusive Asia distribution rights for renowned simulator makers Pro Sim which has seen an uptick in clients during the pandemic.
“How do you start in motorsport? You can’t. You have to start in esports in Hong Kong now with the travel restrictions.
“The fact that we don’t have a kart track, a racetrack, sim world is the only way for Hong Kong – until they can travel. Golden Apple Race [Circuit] in Shenzhen or Zhuhai. That’s the way it’s going to be. I think anyone who capitalises on simulation side will help them if they want to make the transition to real world motorsport.”
“Simulation is so accurate now as well. I’ve seen in one of my drivers I coach went from being six-and-a-half seconds off to only three quarters of a second, and most of that was through sim work in 2020.”
“A lot of people ask, even now, ‘why Hong Kong?’ It’s not really commonly known for motorsports, certainly coming from the UK,” Wells said.
“But without Hong Kong, I would not be one: a racing driver, and two: I wouldn’t have been able to do anything I’ve done in motorsport.
“I still see Hong Kong as my central base – or at least winter home – when I’m not racing. Ideally, I’d be able to fly in-and-out and still live in Hong Kong as I used to.
“It’s obviously been a tough couple of years, but I’m not giving up on it yet. I hope to see Hong Kong go very, very strong in the coming years, and I look forward to helping all these guys in Hong Kong with their racing once things do get better.”
