Oracle Red Bull Racing

Durk Chocolate On Board

Oracle Red Bull Racing Esports has grown its talent pool of content creators with the addition of UK-based Durk Chocolate.

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The Team sat down with Durk to get to know its latest recruit:

Tell us about your background in streaming and interest in Formula 1

I've been streaming on Twitch for over 3 years now with content around Formula 1, sim racing, the F1 games, F1 Manager, Iracing, rFactor 2 and ACC for example. I’ve been watching Formula 1 since the late 2000s and, as I've grown a community on Twitch, started hosting watch-alongs to help build the F1 scene on Twitch Sports. Unsurprisingly, I'm a big fan of Daniel Ricciardo, and with him rejoining the Oracle Red Bull Racing family, I'm excited at the possibility to work with him and seeing that energy he radiates in person.

How does it feel to join the Team?

Unreal. This was always something myself, and streamer friends, would joke and say "what if an F1 team actually partnered with us", but of all teams... Oracle Red Bull Racing! Being a part of the team is crazy. They make some of the most outrageous content, which is something I fully intend to jump on. I can't think of any other team that would entertain some of the ideas I've told them I’d like to do.

What can we expect from you this year?

I have 2 objectives. The first: to work closely with the Esports Team, to showcase just how close the skill level of these drivers and simulators are to that of the real world of Formula 1. People will be shocked to realise that it's not uncommon for a lot of professional drivers, including Max, and development drivers of all levels, to also sim race. My second objective is to simply to make the most of the opportunities and experiences that have now opened up to me. You can expect to see me streaming IRL at select F1 weekends, showcasing the facilities and work behind-the-scenes. It will be educational, informative, but also a lot of fun!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

I am an aviator at heart! I flew a plane solo as an Air Cadet before I ever had a driving license.

Do you have a favourite F1 game?

This is an easy one: F1 2020. I spent a silly amount of time playing and streaming it during lockdown. It really was the game that showed me the opportunities that came with streaming on Twitch. A close second being F1 Manager. That game simply let the inner nerd come out and it was a nice new take to F1 gaming.

Would you rather be an F1 Sim Racer or Content Creator?

Content Creator, 100%. I've been in the Red Bull Esports Erena during a race and the pressure and level of skill those guys need to be is alien to me. I have better chance of making a video with 1 million views then being a sim racing world champion.

If you could have any job in F1 what would it be?

Without choosing the obvious (Driver or Team Principal), an F1 Strategist is up there for me. Being an extrovert and a data nerd, I enjoy the aspect of understanding all the information coming from drivers and departments to come up with the most effective race strategy for your drivers and car. I think I would be right in my element with that kind of pressure.

Highlight of your career to date?

Partnering with Oracle Red Bull Racing Esports as a Content Creator - I can't imagine what this year is going to be like. I've got some brilliant stories coming up for the big family Christmas catch-up!

You can follow Durk across Twitch, Instagram and Twitter.