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Andrew McNicol

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.

A super first weekend with the @FFFracingteam in the @Lamborghini Super Trofeo European Championship in Imola! pic.twitter.com/Qv1jVkxwGJ
— Dan Wells (@danwellsracing) April 4, 2022

“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.




















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A post shared by Dan Wells (@danwellsracing)



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.”
While many would have questioned Wells’ initial move to Hong Kong a decade ago – no money, income or team, only a very generous Twitter and Gofundme following – nobody can deny his achievements today.

Have the new restrictions in Hong Kong left you wondering what you can do for fun and enjoyment in your spare time? Why not consider your own racing simulator?! You can race with your friends and other racers around the world from the comfort of your own home. pic.twitter.com/5NsEkY0zzx
— Dan Wells (@danwellsracing) January 6, 2022

“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.”


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Esports

Hong Kong pro driver Dan Wells to oversee Lamborghini’s debut esports team, urges locals to go virtual amid travel restrictions

Hong Kong racing driver Dan Wells (right) and teammate Oscar Lee at a Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe Championship Pro-Am Cup with Rexal FFF Racing Group. Photo: FFF   

Hong Kong driver Dan Wells with his teammates a Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe Championship Pro-Am Cup event with the Rexal FFF Racing Group. Photo: FFF

(From left) Automobili Lamborghini Esports Team simulation drivers Jordan Sherratt, Giorgio Simonini and Gianfranco Giglioli. Photo: Lamborghini Esports Team

The Automobili Lamborghini Esports Team car at a GT World Challenge Esports Sprint Series Europe event. Photo: Lamborghini Esports Team

Hong Kong racing driver Dan Wells (centre) and local racing enthusiasts at a ProRacing Simulation and Training Centre event in Kwun Tong in 2015. Photo: SCMP 

Hong Kong driver Jonathan Hui plays catch-up in GT World Challenge Europe title defence opener

Hong Kong amateur racing car driver Jonathan Hui before the GT World Challenge Europe season opener 3 Hours of Imola event in Italy. Photo: Craft Bamboo Racing   

Hong Kong driver Jonathan Hui with his Sky Tempesta Racing team Mercedes-AMG GT3 car at the GT World Challenge Europe Gold Three Hours of Imola Gold Cup endurance event in Italy. Photo: Craft Bamboo Racing 

Sky Tempesta Racing teammates Chris Froggatt, Jonathan Hui and Eddie Cheever III finish on top of the podium at the Circuit Paul Ricard 100km pro-am six-hour endurance in Le Castellet, France. Photo: CBR Media 

F1: China’s Zhou Guanyu ‘hurt’ after narrow top-10 miss at Australian Grand Prix; declares ‘I definitely want points next time’

Alfa Romeo’s driver Zhou Guanyu of China in a practice event at the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Photo: Xinhua   

Alfa Romeo’s Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu at the Formula One Australian Grand Prix event at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. Photo: AFP 

Alfa Romeo’s Guanyu Zhou at the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in practice at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit. during practice Photo: Reuters 

Alfa Romeo race Guanyu Zhou of China at the Formula One Australian Grand Prix drivers parade event at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit. Photo: Reuters 

Hong Kong racer Shaun Thong closes in on Super Taikyu Series championship

Team Hirix Racing teammates lift only non-Japanese teammate Shaun Thong after they win another race in the 2020 Super Taikyu Series championship. Photos: Handout

Hong Kong's Shaun Thong and Team Hirix Racing lift the Motegi 5-Hours trophy  in Japan. Photo: Handout

Local racecar driver Shaun Thong prepares for the Motegi 5-Hours race in Tochigi, Japan. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong racer Shaun Thong's Team Hirix Racing win another race in the 2020 Super Taikyu Series championship in Japan. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong racer Shaun Thong has won the Motegi 5-Hours event twice in two years after winning it with Hong Kong team X Works' Audi R8 LMS GT3 in 2019. Photo: Handout

Macau Grand Prix winner Darryl O’Young on Covid-19 sacrifices that led to Hong Kong driver’s ‘miracle’ win and ‘my first tears after a race’

Hong Kong driver Darryl O’Young celebrates with Craft Bamboo Racing team mechanics after the Macau Grand Prix GT Cup final round event in Macau. Photo: Craft Bamboo Racing   

Hong Kong star driver Darryl O’Young on the podium after he wins the Macau Grand Prix GT Cup final round event. Photo: Craft Bamboo Racing 

Hong Kong driver Darryl O’Young’s vehicle is surrounded by media and fans after being deemed fit for the final round of the Macau Grand Prix GT Cup event. Photo: Craft Bamboo Racing 

Hong Kong driver Jonathan Hui continues history-making run after ‘gruelling’ outing at Total 24 Hours of Spa

Jonathan Hui becomes the first Hong Kong racing driver to podium at the 24 Hours of Spa Pro-Am in Belgium. Photo: Craft Bamboo Racing

Hong Kong racing driver Jonathan Hui (third from left) with Sky Tempesta Teammates Chris Froggatt, Giancarlo Fisichella and Edward Cheever III. Photo: Craft Bamboo Racing

Hong Kong driver Jonathan Hui's helps team Sky Tempesta Racing to a podium finish at the 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium. Photo: Craft Bamboo Racing

Sport

Hong Kong

Motorsport


‘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



‘The main target is to make sure Lamborghini wins’, says the 30-year-old, before outlining why esports is the only way for young Hong Kong drivers until Covid-19-impacted borders open up.


Virtual reality and augmented reality (VR and AR)

Lamborghini