Formula 1® has launched a new F1® eSports Virtual Grand Prix Series featuring several F1 drivers to enable fans to watch Formula 1® races virtually, despite the Covid-19 situation that has affected the opening few races and resulting in cancellations of races such as the Australian, Dutch, Spain and Monaco Grand Prix races.

The virtual races will replace every postponed Grand Prix beginning with the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday 22 March. Every race weekend will see the postponed real-world Formula 1® race replaced with a virtual grand prix, tentatively scheduled until May this year.

Said Julian Tan, Head of Digital Business Initiative and eSports, “We are very pleased to be able to bring some light relief in the form of the Formula 1® eSports Virtual GP, in these unpredictable times, as we hope to entertain fans missing the regular sporting action.” 

He continued, “With every major sports league in the world unable to compete, it is a great time to highlight the benefits of eSports and the skill that is on show.”

The first race in Bahrain this Sunday will see the current Formula 1® drivers line up against a host of stars. 

To guarantee the safety of the F1 drivers, they will each join the race remotely, with a host broadcast live, coming from the Gfinity eSports Arena from 8pm GMT on Sunday 22 March.

Said John Clarke, Executive Officer, Gfinity, “Gfinity is proud to be playing its part in the design and delivery of the Formula 1® eSports Virtual Grand Prix Series which will bring exciting virtual racing to Formula 1® fans and eSports fans around the world.”

Due to the wide variety of gaming skill among the F1 drivers, game settings will be configured to encourage competitive and entertaining racing. This includes running equal car performance with fixed setups, reduced vehicle damage and optional anti-lock brakes and traction controls for those less familiar with the game.

The series is strictly for entertainment purposes and there will be no official World Championship points up for grabs for the drivers. 

For the Virtual Grand Prix, the official F1 2019 PC video game developed by CodeMasters will be used and the first virtual Grand Prix on Bahrain’s Sakhir track will be a 50% race comprising of 28 laps. 

Said Frank Sagnier, Chief Executive Officer, CodeMasters, “We’re excited to be a part of the new Formula 1® eSports virtual grand prix series. With sporting events currently on hold, it’s great that the official F1® video game can help fill the void by bringing together an exciting line-up of talent to race online during the postponed race weekends.”

The broadcast is expected to last 1 hour 30 minutes with a qualifying period based on the fastest lap times of the drivers and will be made available on the official Formula 1® YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels.

Image: Formula 1®