Please choose whether this site may use cookies or related technologies (“Cookies”) as described below. You can learn more about how this site uses cookies and related technologies by reading our privacy policy linked below.
Please choose whether this site may use cookies or related technologies (“Cookies”) as described below. You can learn more about how this site uses cookies and related technologies by reading our privacy policy linked below.
Williams duo to headline first Virtual Grand Prix event
The Virtual Grand Prix is almost here! The digital race series, which emerged during the early stages of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, returns for a three-race pre season series, acting as a precursor to the season. So you’re probably wondering… who’s racing? Let’s take a look!
Scroll down for the full driver line-ups for both the Feature Race and Sprint Race.
Representing the current crop of Formula 1 drivers, Williams duo George Russell and Nicholas Latifi will spearhead the British team’s entry into the race series. With four wins and a whole lot of memes, Russell positioned himself as the star of the previous iteration of the Virtual Grand Prix. Team mate Latifi also enjoyed successful outings in 2020, and so the pair will look to pick up where they left off.
Joining the pair will be a host of former F1 stars, upcoming talents, and global icons, with more F1 drivers joining them in upcoming events.
Alex Albon, Red Bull Racing Test and Reserve Driver and Wings for Life ambassador, will return to the virtual series, having taking victory in last year’s Brazil race. His partner will be Red Bull KTM Factory rider and MXGP World Champion, Jeffrey Herlings.
Pietro Fittipaldi mixed it with the big guns in 2020, getting his first Formula 1 outings at the Sakhir and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, and he once again represents the American team, alongside his younger brother and F3 superstar Enzo.
Former F1 stars Stoffel Vandoorne and Tonio Liuzzi make their returns to the series for Mercedes and Scuderia AlphaTauri respectively, while Alpine F1 Team look to the future, in Formula 2 race winner Christian Lundgaard, and reigning FIA Formula 3 champion Oscar Piastri. Belgium national team goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also reprises his role as one of the core stars of the Virtual Grand Prix, returning for Alfa Romeo.
Mercedes: Stoffel Vandoorne and Anthony Davidson
Red Bull Racing: Alex Albon and Jerffrey Herlings
McLaren: Jimmy Broadbent and Ben ‘Tiametmarduk’ Daly
Alpine: Christian Lundgaard and Oscar Piastri
FDA: Marcus Armstrong and Arthur Leclerc
AlphaTauri: Vitantonio Liuzzi and Luca Salvadori
Alfa Romeo: Thibaut Courtois and Jack ‘Pie Face’ McDermott
Haas: Pietro and Enzo Fittipaldi
Williams: George Russell and Nicholas Latifi
Mercedes: Jarno Opmeer and Dnai Moreno
Red Bull Racing: Frede Rasmussen and Marcel Kiefer
McLaren: James Baldwin and Josh Idowu
Alpine: Nicolas Longuet and Fabrizio Donoso
FDA: David Tonizza and Bendon Leigh
AlphaTauri: Joni Tormala and Manuel Biancolilla
Alfa Romeo: Dani Bereznay and Thijmen Schutte
Haas: Cedric Thome and Samuel Libeert
Williams: Alvaro Carreton and Alessio di Capua
The Virtual Austrian Grand Prix takes place on Sunday 31 January, kicking off a trio of special live events as the teams do battle for a share of a charity prize pot that they will donate to a cause of their choosing.
The return of Virtual Grands Prix will give fans around the world excitement ahead of the Formula 1 season starting in Bahrain. However, the primary focus of this year’s three-race competition is to raise money for charities chosen by the teams. Each charity will receive a significant donation from the prize pot, regardless of where the team finishes in the standings. There are three races, so three chances to score!
This year’s Virtual Grand Prix events will begin with a five-lap Sprint Race, featuring the team’s talented F1 Esports Pro Series drivers. The order of this race will decide the starting for the Feature Race, where the teams’ pairings, made up of motorsport stars, sporting heroes and celebrities, will take to the track and get ready to race. After the first race at the Red Bull Ring, Silverstone and Interlagos will also play host to upcoming virtual races on the following weekends, of Sunday 7 February and Sunday 14 February respectively.
The Virtual Austrian Grand Prix festivities get going from 18:00 GMT on Sunday 31 January on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Huya (China) and Weibo (China) channels, as well as broadcast by international television partners including Sky Sports, ESPN, FOX Sports and Ziggo Sport. Set those reminders, and we’ll see you in the chat!
