Formula 1 Virtual Grand Prix Series Launched

[sandman77]

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.formula...

Formula 1 has today announced the launch of a new 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.

The virtual races will run in place of every postponed Grand Prix, starting this weekend with the Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday March 22. Every subsequent race weekend will see the postponed real-world Formula 1 race replaced with a Virtual Grand Prix*, with the initiative currently scheduled to run until May**.

[TheDeuce]

Has anyone checked the hardware Ferrari will be using...

[sandman77]

TheDeuce said:

Has anyone checked the hardware Ferrari will be using...

I just hope they take part. In fact I hope all the teams encourage their drivers to join in.

[TheDeuce]

sandman77 said:

I just hope they take part. In fact I hope all the teams encourage their drivers to join in.

Agree. I know it's not really what they signed up for... But out of support for the sport this is a good initiative imo.

I'll be watching.

[Angpozzuto]

Does anyone know the driver line up? As I read somewhere that verstappen wasn't taking part and Ferrari were using a couple of their academy drivers

[Smollet]

Angpozzuto said:

Does anyone know the driver line up? As I read somewhere that verstappen wasn't taking part and Ferrari were using a couple of their academy drivers

Not that classy driver wise tbh so far
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11961824/f...

[Angpozzuto]

It's a shame none of the big team drivers have entered, it would be good to see them competing for something less serious and having some fun

[Teddy Lop]

Angpozzuto said:

It's a shame none of the big team drivers have entered, it would be good to see them competing for something less serious and having some fun

I guess a lot of big names are worried about being shown up by those with more experience in the format, I'd say it's a shame a few more don't check their ego and step up but TBF evan if they had the whole grid I'd probably put it on then lose interest if last week was anything to go by. (Although fair play to the commentary team for being truely authentic and not knowing half of what was happening on track, something youd think impossible given its all happening in a 100% controlled environment.)

[HustleRussell]

Verstappen was on the billing for a couple of these but pulled out at the last minute for fear of being shown up.

[Deesee]

HustleRussell said:

Verstappen was on the billing for a couple of these but pulled out at the last minute for fear of being shown up.

That’s not quite right, he has no experience on f1 2019 (the game on PlayStation ), if your looking at pure sim racing, then he is more than very handy on r factor and holds the highest entitlements on I racing (pro) , which is not easy to obtain.

He’s also part of team red line, the dominant force in I racing esports, he can more than hold his own against full time virtual drivers.

He often broadcasts his races and races in partnership with Lando and Rudy Van Buren (worlds best virtual driver) amongst others.

At the end of the day this race is a bit of fun, the serious e/virtual racing is done on I Racing.

& funnily enough a new serious is being launched on there on Monday.

[EDLT]

A few sim races featuring real drivers have happened already, every single one of them has been a stshow.

[williamp]

Its so confusing. There is one billed to start at 8pm which started at 6pm, with a mixture of racing drivers and gamers. Its not immediately obvious who is who as they use. Some racing drivers appear in some, others in others.

Add to this the fact its not really very good, I dont think I'd be bothering..

[parabolica]

williamp said:

Its so confusing. There is one billed to start at 8pm which started at 6pm, with a mixture of racing drivers and gamers. Its not immediately obvious who is who as they use. Some racing drivers appear in some, others in others.

Add to this the fact its not really very good, I dont think I'd be bothering..

The 6pm one was Veloces’ e-sport race I think; the one running now is the official F1 Esports broadcast. Two different hosts trying to do the same thing.

Currently watching the F1 one and it’s weird listening to official commentators commentating on what looks like F1 but isn’t

[matt21]

I’m really enjoying it! Imagine how good it would be if it was real!

[Jonesy23]

Well the virtual version is utter rubbish. So so so weak.

[Teddy Lop]

What happened to lando, did his mum take away his internet?

[FourWheelDrift]

Oh dear, crashes bad lag and Herbert short cuts T1.


I'm giving this shambles a miss. Just as "redeye" overtakes Norris by driving through him as if he wasn't there.

Edited by FourWheelDrift on Sunday 22 March 21:03

[parabolica]

FourWheelDrift said:

Oh dear, crashes bad lag and Herbert short cuts T1.


I'm giving this shambles a miss. Just as "redeye" overtakes Norris by driving through him as if he wasn't there.

Edited by FourWheelDrift on Sunday 22 March 21:03

Never played a video game I take it?

[FourWheelDrift]

parabolica said:

Never played a video game I take it?

I've done a lot of racing online over the last 20 years. This reminds me of the early days. I would have expected something promoted at this level to be better.

[RDM]

Good try lads but no thanks.