[April Fools' Joke] Cupra Kiro signs "MrBeast" as regular driver for Miami race, David Beckmann has to make way

[Disclaimer: This article was an April Fool's joke. All information was fictitious.]

Surprising cockpit change in Formula E: US team Cupra Kiro has officially signed YouTuber "MrBeast" as a driver for the upcoming E-Prix in Miami. The US-American is expected to fill the grandstands at his home race and bring the Kiro team many new fans. MrBeast had already sat in the car for the team a few weeks ago and caused a stir with a crash.

MrBeast was already the talk of the town at the "Evo Sessions" with a total of eleven influencers, which also took place in Miami a few weeks ago: The world's biggest YouTuber spun his Kiro race car and crashed sideways into the wall. The video of his accident, which he shared on his social media channels, earned Formula E several million views.

This reach has now apparently persuaded Kiro to extend his involvement with MrBeast. As the team explained to e-Formula.news, the social media star will become a regular driver at the upcoming race in Miami (12 April). In the meantime, he will take over the cockpit from David Beckmann, who has had his difficulties with his new team so far this season.

"It is no secret that motorsport is also a marketing platform," says a spokesperson for Kiro. "With this in mind, we believe the cockpit swap is a very effective move. This will probably give us more coverage than if we were to win the world championship as a team. The sporting outcome of the operation is of secondary importance to us."

"I'll try to leave the car in one piece this time"

MrBeast is already looking forward to his first real Formula E race: "Having already had the chance to familiarise myself with this challenging car, I now can't wait to get on the grid in racing conditions. I'll try to leave the car in one piece this time, but I will definitely push it to the limit. What have we all got to lose?"

A similar marketing campaign has already taken place once in Formula E history: At the 2017 New York City E-Prix, DS Virgin Racing announced Virgin founder Richard Branson as the official driver - but only as a reserve driver. Branson did not get in the car. MrBeast, on the other hand, is to contest all the regular sessions of the race weekend. The FIA exceptionally granted him a starter's licence for this because his commitment pays "towards a higher goal".

We will see how the YouTuber performs in the Formula E car in just over two weeks' time. That's when the electric racing series makes its first guest appearance at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In terms of social media reach, the E-Prix should be a good success for Formula E...