‘Always a means of learning more’: Adrian Figallo engaged as Steward in F1 Esports Series Pro Championship

World Pro Racing Co-Founder Adrian Figallo has called for more local talent to involve themselves in the regulation of esports events, after he shared that he has been engaged as a Steward in the Formula One (F1) Esports Series Pro Championship.

Speaking to iGamingCapital.mt, he confirmed his new role, explaining that he was engaged thanks to his experience in the local motorsport and esports scenes.

“I am adjudicating all of the events in this year’s F1 Esports Series Pro Championship from the Gfinity Arena in London, together with the whole team there. I am passing and sharing my experience in the field with them,” he said.

When asked to explain the adjudication process in esports, Mr Figallo said that it is “essentially the same as the one real-life motorsport follows”.

“We adjudicate accidents during the race, with a whole team dedicated to this that passes on the information to us. We analyse the situation and release the necessary penalties, if required. Once this is done, teams are given an opportunity to appeal the decision, something that is not handled by the same team, but by an appeals team of two other Maltese people that also trained with me and are also being mentored by me,” he explained.

Just like those in real-life, stewards in esports are often faced with tough decisions that could end up splitting fanbases. However, Mr Figallo added that officials go through rigorous training and are dedicated to the cause.

“To get to here, I had to work very hard, and I want to encourage more people to do the same. I had been thinking about taking part in something like this and more for a number of years, as I have undergone the necessary courses, went abroad and finished the required examinations in stewarding of real-life motorsport, and I am still learning to this day,” he said.

Mr Figallo added that whatever event one takes part in or hosts in the world of esports, it is “always a means of learning more”.

“We want to encourage more people to take part in this process. While it is fund to drive and participate in events as competitors, the people behind the scenes, like adjudicators, are also important,” he added.

Mr Figallo concluded by saying that this is a means through which Malta’s presence in the global esports scene can grow, as “while we come from a small island, we are capable of making great strides in the world of esports”.

Mr Figallo has been involved in motorsport for a number of years, organising local motorsport events, and also officiating some as well. He is a licenced Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Motorsport Steward and Clerk of the course through the local ASN the Malta Motorsport Federation. In recent years, he has been involved in World Pro Racing, where he is Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer, incorporating his motorsport experience into sim racing, leading to improved sim racing events within a professional environment.