RACE DEBRIEF

    Missing your Formula 1 fix? Well don't worry, because this weekend F1 Esports took centre stage with the first round of the Virtual Grand Prix Series.

    A star-studded grid – including Lando Norris, Nicholas Latifi, Liam Payne and many more – assembled for the race at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, with the drivers joining remotely in a contest that saw them do battle on the official F1 2019 video game on PC. See the full driver line-up below.

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    It was a race of 25% length, so 14 laps, after qualifying. Not everybody on the grid was accustomed to sim racing so assists were allowed, including reduced vehicle damage, optional ABS and traction control – while set-ups were fixed and car performance was equal.

    There were no world championship points at stake – but that didn’t mean the drivers were any less competitive. Check out the video above to see who won and watch the race in full, or view the highlights in the video below.

    Highlights: F1 Esports - Bahrain Virtual Grand Prix

    Driver line-up for the Bahrain Virtual Grand Prix

    Team Driver 1 Driver 2
    Alfa Romeo Cyanide Johnny Herbert
    AlphaTauri Luca Salvadori Sadokist
    FDA Hublot Esports Team Robert Shwartzman Dino Beganovic
    Haas Anthony Davidson Redeye
    McLaren Lando Norris Nic Hamilton
    Mercedes Esteban Gutierrez Stoffel Vandoorne
    Racing Point Jimmy Broadbent Nico Hulkenberg
    Red Bull Sir Chris Hoy Philipp Eng
    Renault Guanyu Zhou Ian Poulter
    Williams Liam Payne Nicholas Latifi