Ever since the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled way back on the 13th of March, racing fans all over the globe have been missing the thrills and excitement of the Formula 1 season. With all races of the season so far having been either postponed or cancelled altogether, it has left many racing fans searching for alternative viewing options.
To help fill the void left by the empty calendar, Formula 1 have turned to the gaming world and created the F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix series. Featuring a number of current F1 drivers, the series has been created to enable fans to continue watching Formula 1 races virtually, despite the ongoing COVID-19 situation that has affected this season’s opening race calendar.
Starting on March 22nd, the race schedule is aligned with the original Formula 1 season. Drivers are located in their own homes, and race remotely on driving simulators playing the Official Formula 1 game. The graphics, commentary and artwork is so realistic you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching the real thing! While the dates of the series are aligned to the regular season, the locations are not. Rather than the season opener running at Albert Park as the real life schedule, round 1 of the esports series was held on the Bahrain circuit.
Charles Leclerc racing from the comforts of his home
The winner of Round 1 was Guanyu Zhou, a 20 year old Formula 2 racer from the Renault driver school, beating out current and former Formula 1 drivers such as Stoffel Vandoorne, Lando Norris and Niko Hulkenberg.
Round 2 was held on the new Vietnam circuit, and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc joined the competition. Wasting no time in finding his virtual feet, Charles took out the race ahead of Christian Lundgaard from the Renault team in second, and Williams driver George Russell in third place. Celebrity driver cricketer Ben Stokes came dead last in 19th place!
Round 3 saw a repeat of Leclerc's brilliance, this time on the race track in China. Red Bull driver Alex Albon came in second place, with Round 1 winner Guanyu Zhou rounding out the top 3. Fellow pro driver Lando Norris crashed out early on and finished in last place.
Round 4 of the virtual series is on this coming weekend, and for this one the drivers are headed down to Brazil.
The series has been a big hit for fans and drivers alike, with Sebastian Vettel saying to autosport.com this weekend that he is going to get a simulator set up in his home so that he too can get in on the action. We can't wait!
For all of the latest information on the F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix seriesclick HERE
Thanks again and stay safe one and all.
