After being a massive hit last year, the F1 Virtual Grand Prix are back to keep F1 fans entertained this winter!
With a shakeup in the format and the introduction of a charity prize pool, this year's drivers have something to fight for.
So who is racing? Let's take a look!
F1 Virtual GP Drivers confirmed
Virtual GP Champion George Russell is back to defend his crown, and headlines the grid along with his Williams teammate Nicholas Latifi.
Russell stormed to victory last year and was racing at times comparable to the fastest in the world. Can he carry that success over to F1 2020?
Joining the Williams duo is Red Bull reserve driver Alex Albon, who will be racing alongside Red Bull KTM Factory rider and MXGP World Champion Jeffrey Herlings.
Red Bull Racing will represent the Team’s official charity, Wings for Life.
Also confirmed is Pietro Fittipaldi, who raced for Haas in the final two Grands Prix of the 2020 season, and his younger brother and F3 star Enzo Fittipaldi. The brothers will be racing the Haas cars.
Former F1 stars Stoffel Vandoorne and Tonio Liuzzi will be representing Mercedes and AplhaTauri respectively. Meanwhile, Christian Lundgaard and F3 champion Oscar Piastri will also be taking part.
Alfa Romeo have drafted in Real Madrid goalkeeper and sim racer Thibaut Courtois.
Team | Driver A | Driver B |
|---|---|---|
Mercedes | Stoffel Vandoorne | Anthony Davidson |
Red Bull Racing | Alex Albon | Jeffrey Herlings |
Aston Martin | TBA | TBA |
McLaren | Ben Daly (Tiametmarduk) | Jimmy Broadbent |
Alpine | Christian Lundgaard | Oscar Piastri |
Ferrari | Arthur Leclerc | Marcus Armstrong |
AlphaTauri | Tonio Liuzzi | Luca Salvadori |
Alfa Romeo | Thibaut Courtois | Jack 'Pie' McDermott |
Haas | Pietro Fittipaldi | Enzo Fittipaldi |
Williams | George Russell | Nicholas Latifi |
F1 Virtual GP dates
There are currently three Virtual GPs that have been planned before the real Formula 1 season starts. The first kicks off on Sunday 31 January, with two more races on 7 February, and 14 February.
The broadcasts begin at 6pm UK time and run until 7:30pm.
How to watch
Just like last year, the F1 Virtual GP will be streamed live on the Formula 1 Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook channels.
The race will also be shown on Huya (China) and Weibo (China) channels, as well as broadcast by international television partners including Sky Sports, ESPN, FOX Sports and Ziggo Sport.
Depending on who is driving too, you will likely be able to tune into their perspectives via their individual Twitch channels.
Circuit
It has been confirmed that the first round of the Virtual GP season will take place in Austria.
If you want to see how fast you are around the Red Bull Ring be sure to check out our Austrian GP setup!
That means we'll see 36 laps (50% distance) of action around the Red Bull Ring. Last year's real-life Austrian Grand Prix was a thriller, as was the F1 Esports race there, so expect to see plenty of action on offer on Sunday evening!
2020 Highlights
Highlights of the races will be posted on the Formula 1 YouTube channel shortly after the event.
To get an idea of what to expect, you check out the best bits compilation from the 2020 season below: