The full grid for the first Virtual Grand Prix Series is set!
COVID-19 has crushed the live sporting world, including the F1 2020 season, but thanks to gaming we will get a Virtual Grand Prix Series to replace it.
Races have been postponed, and even cancelled, leaving fans with little to fill their Sundays. Fortunately, the success of F1 esports has given us a solution.
Formula 1 and Gfinity are coming together to provide some entertainment in these dark times with the Virtual Grand Prix Series!
Virtual Grand Prix Series
GET READY: F1 is coming back, just not as you may know it!
Formula 1 has today announced the launch of a new F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix series, featuring a number of current F1 drivers.
The virtual races will run in place of every postponed Grand Prix, starting this weekend with the Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday 22 March.
READ MORE: Everything there is to know about F1 2020
Every subsequent race weekend will see the postponed real-world Formula 1 race replaced with a Virtual Grand Prix. The series will run until May, but extending for as long as necessary.
How to watch
Fans will be able to watch the series online. The races will be streamed live at 8pm GMT on Formula 1's YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook channels.
The broadcasts are expected to be 90 minutes long, featuring a qualifying session and 50% distance race.
In order to guarantee the participants safety each driver will join the race remotely. There is going to be a host broadcast live from the Gfinity Esports Arena in London.
Who is racing
BAHRAIN NIGHTS: This Sunday will see F1 drivers race virtually!
In weekends that wouldn't have had an F1 race, there will be online exhibition races, where fans from around the world will be can go head-to-head with F1 drivers.
The races will take place on F1 2019 on PC, and allow for some assists as well as limited setups to ensure a competitive and entertaining race!
Full grid lineup - Lando Norris, Nicolas Latifi, & others
There are some big names lining up to compete on Sunday.
So far we know the Ferrari cars will be piloted by 2019 Formula 3 champion and Prema Racing driver Robert Shwartzman and Dino Beganovic, both Ferrari Academy drivers.
Red Bull will put Sir Chris Hoy and Phillipp Eng, a BMW works driver in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, in their cars.
Renault will have their test driver Guanyu Zhou in the hot seat, along with professional golfer Ian Poulter.
We also know that former F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg will be in action!
The ex Force India & Renault man won't be the only former F1 star in action. Mercedes will be represented by Stoffel Vandoorne and Esteban Gutierrez.
Team | Driver A | Driver B |
|---|---|---|
Mercedes | Stoffel Vandoorne | Esteban Gutierrez |
Ferrari | Robert Shwartzman | Dino Beganovic |
Red Bull | Sir Chris Hoy | Phillipp Eng |
Racing Point | Jimmy Broadbent | Nico Hulkenberg |
Renault | Guanyu Zhou | Ian Poulter |
Alpha Tauri | Sadokist | Luca Salvadori |
McLaren | Lando Norris | Nic Hamilton |
Haas | Redeye | Anthony Davidson |
Alfa Romeo | Cyanide | Johnny Herbert |
Williams | Nicholas Latifi | Liam Payne |
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