Diogo Jota and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang swapped the football pitch for the world of gaming as they competed in a special sim racing event alongside F1 stars Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon on Wednesday.

The virtual race took part in Monte Carlo ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, and was used to promote the launch of the new video game F1 24, which is due to be released on May 31.

Liverpool striker Jota is a keen gamer, and was caught on the EA Sports Companion App when he arrived for training earlier this season. He also revealed back in 2020 that gaming had helped him pass the time during the Covid-19 pandemic, while Aubameyang also enjoys the hobby, and the Marseille forward was more than happy to join Jota at the racing event.

Electronic Arts’ ‘The Ten Racers’ competition saw the contestants battle it out in a virtual event around the iconic Monegasque street circuit, and it was Leclerc who came out on top.

Albon initially finished second, but dropped to third behind content creator Maxime MXM due to receiving a three-second time penalty.

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Diogo Jota took part in a special sim racing event before this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix

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He was joined by fellow footballer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (pictured)

They took on Ferrari star Charles Leclerc, as they promoted the new video game F1 24

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Leclerc won the race, with fellow F! star Alex Albon (pictured) coming third after a three-second time penalty

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They raced around the iconic Monegasque race circuit (pictured) which will host Sunday’s grand prix