Formula 1 have announced that six drivers of the current grid will take part in the Virtual Grand Prix, taking the place of the 2020 Chinese Grand Prix.
This weekend will see the return of F1’s Virtual Grand Prix, which is taking place due to the postponements in the real world caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This weekend the Shanghai International Circuit will virtually host the Grand Prix would have taken place.
The six drivers are Charles Leclerc of Scuderia Ferrari, who makes his return after victory last time out at Albert Park.
George Russell, who took a podium in the last virtual race, and his ROKiT Williams Racing teammate Nicholas Latifi. While Antonio Giovinazzi and Lando Norris will also race for their respective teams Alfa Romeo Racing and McLaren F1 Team.
Red Bull Racing‘s Alex Albon will join in as well, but his teammate will be, the Belgian National team and Real Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, who makes his debut in the virtual Grand Prix.
Other teams, such as Mercedes AMG Petronas, are expected to announce their lineup of drivers in the coming days.
Along with the Virtual Chinese Grand Prix, there will be the F1 Esports Series China Championship will kick off its 2020 Season on Sunday with a Pre-season Event.
“The Pre-season Event itself will include two online exhibition races. The first will be an All-Star race at Circuit de Monaco where top racers from the 2019 Season will put on a show,
“Whilst the second will be a Pro League pre-season race at Shanghai International Circuit where the Pro League teams will get a chance to showcase their talents in front of fans.”
F1 explained that the eSports Championship will remain with the same structure as has in 2019 but it this season will see the introduction of the new Pro Esports League.
“The Pro League is a 22 race online championship following the same point scoring mechanic as the Formula One World Championship.
“The top ten racers from the Pro League driver standings will enter the Grand Final directly and compete with other racers from the regional finals for the chance to sign for an official F1 Esports team.”
