In an attempt to bring motorsport closer to the people, LMP2 champion and Le Mans winner Ferdinand Habsburg decided to bring a new project to life that allows fans to take control over a team in the pinnacle of sportscar racing.
Over the course of his decade-long motorsport presence, Habsburg gathered a devoted fanbase but realised that the people who keep motorsport going by turning on the TV to watch the races, or buying tickets, have no real impact on decision-making.
This, combined with the hardships of the constant hunt for sponsors to be able to race, led him to the idea of creating something that the world of racing has never seen before.
The groundbreaking project is called 'Rebel Team', a professional racing outfit competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, owned and run by motorsport fans.
Currently racing drivers and teams depend on corporate sponsors to be able to race on any level, hindering the chances of talented racing drivers to secure a seat due to the lack of funding. Rebel Team intends to change things by creating a new sponsorship model where race fans can fund the team and have a say in important team decisions such as choosing the driver lineup.
The project will operate through an exclusive membership scheme. The limited number of fans who buy a membership pass will gain access to a wide selection of virtual and real-life experiences.
Rebel Team members will be able to:
- Choose the livery of the LMP2 car racing in FIA WEC
- Choose the number of the car
- Choose Ferdinand’s teammates
- Compete in virtual racing events against pro drivers
- Enjoy VIP experience at real-life events, including hospitality at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Take part in exclusive team events
- Become part of a community
- And many more…
On the technical side, Rebel Team will enjoy full support from reigning LMP2 World and European champion Team WRT providing the Rebel members with the best package on the grid. After 3 three seasons together, Ferdinand and WRT have enjoyed success in DTM and the FIA World Endurance Championship. Ferdinand was the first driver to gain WRT´s pole position and podium in DTM and went on to win the FIA WEC and the Le Mans 24 hours race.
Ferdinand Habsburg:
“I want to give back to the fans by opening the door to a world that’s been unreachable to most. Those who’ve been dreaming of being involved in motorsport can now make big decisions and see them come to life in an affordable way. I want to create a community using all the virtual platforms but also meet them in real life at race events or exclusive team gatherings. As we’ve seen many examples in all walks of motorsport, ‘’cash is king’’ and many times money wins over talent. By joining the community, the fans can decide on the driver line-up based purely on talent, allowing skilled drivers who are lacking funds to secure a free seat in a top team in WEC."
Rebel Team’s membership is blockchain-based, meaning that the ownership will be digitally authenticated, easily verifiable as well as tradable. There will be a total of 10.000 unique passes available, with prices starting at €500. (The details will be revealed ahead of the 6 Hours of Fuji race in September).
For more information, please visit: www.rebelteam.com, or let Ferdinand explain the project virtually using this mixed-reality experience.
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