Esports F1 Making Efforts To Reduce Systemic Biases In Esports

Esports Formula One, announced a ‘Women’s Wildcard’ competition to help female gamers break into the world of esports. After four years of an all-male team, a women’s team will feature going up against some talented teams to clinch heavy duty titles in esports. Though the position is up for grabs, it is unsure if there is a guarantee that a woman will get selected.

Esports Formula 1 will be conducting a qualifying round for women participants from 3-9 May. F1 Esports Series Women’s Wildcard, a female only qualification route into the Pro Exhibition. The selection will be based on their performances in the Codemasters’ F1 2020 game. The winner of this wildcard competition will bag the position. This announcement will counter the systemic biases prevailing. The head of Formula One’s esports also mentioned that this wasn’t because of lack of ability but due to systemic bias that drove the lack of participation. He also added that this will set an example for other women who wish to venture into the esports field in the future.

What Are Systemic Biases?

Systemic bias is the inherent tendency that leads to one outcome being favoured over the other. The bias could either be conscious or unconscious that makes one defend a particular gender or race, which results in a biased representation of the reality.

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As per the history of Formula One, there has been no female driver since the launch of grand prix in 1976. The sport has an initiative called ‘We Race As One’ which aims at increasing diversity and inclusion. The Formula 1, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the teams will concentrate on nine key areas and one among them is to grow awareness and support the W Series and the female drivers who make it to the top.

This inclusion of female gamers by Formula 1 in esports is proof of how the world is evolving. With time, the presence of women in the gaming community will just keep increasing.

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Manthra Koliyer

Manthra Koliyer is a writer at Gutshot Magazine. She has an affinity for seeing the world through people’s eyes. With a bubbly fun personality, you can always catch her chatting with anyone she comes across. Holding an English Literature degree from Wilson College, Mumbai, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from Asian College of Journalism, this pop culture fanatic is ready to take on the world with a pen, paper, and microphone. She also actively works on her personal blog called namasteyconvict.blogspot.com, where for a moment she lets you into her drama-filled world.