English cricketer Ben Stokes will test his driving skills against five Formula 1 drivers, including Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, in the sport’s second virtual Grand Prix this weekend.
The World Cup-winning all-rounder will team up with Thai racer Alexander Albon in his Red Bull line-up for his first esports competition. McLaren & # 39; s Lando Norris and the Williams combination of George Russell and Nicholas Latifi will also compete alongside retired British Grand Prix winner and TV expert Johnny Herbert.
The virtual race is the second in a new series, organized by Formula 1, to provide some light entertainment in the absence of real activities due to the coronavirus pandemic. Norris and Latifi were the only current F1 drivers to compete in the first race.
The Australian Formula 1 season opener on March 15 was canceled, as well as the May showcase in Monaco, with six other rounds postponed so far. The sport hopes to start a shortened season of 15-18 races from the European summer, although the timetable remains for the time being.
Sunday’s 28-lap race, with the 20 drivers moving away from their home, is staged in a virtual version of Melbourne & # 39; s Albert Park over a weekend originally reserved in the inaugural Vietnam Grand Prix. Hanoi’s street circuit is not yet available in the 2019 official F1 video game.
The first race of the new series took place two weeks ago on a virtual track in Bahrain and was won by Renault’s Chinese test driver Guanyu Zhou. Stokes is sponsored by Red Bull, who, along with Austrian touring car driver Philipp Eng, sent Britain’s six-time gold Olympic medalist Chris Hoy in the first race.
Russell, who installed a game rig with his parents, said he looks forward to the challenge. “I’ve never been from esports if I’m being honest, because there were so many simulators when I was with Mercedes as a test and reserve driver,” he told a Sky Sports television & # 39; vodcast & # 39 ;.
“It was crazy long days. And the last thing I wanted to do was come home and jump on a simulator again. Now I’m definitely tempted.” I’m still pretty bullshit right now, but definitely tempted and I might have a fuss here and there. “
(This story has not been edited by staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
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