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Let’s be honest. 2020 was just plain weird. But for all its faults, it forced many of us to think outside the box. Adapt, improvise, overcome as they say.
And so, in our millions, we turned to digital entertainment when the world stopped, and carried on watching as things slowly started to improve. For the impact of Esports has arguably never been more important, not just for sport, but for escapism, entertainment, culture, and even the brightest beacon of all; hope.
Read More: Virtual Grand Prix Series in Numbers
As we begin to put the foundations in place for 2021, join us as we reflect on a strange but superlative year for F1 Esports. Here are the headline numbers!
Across all digital platforms, the F1 Esports Pro Series enjoyed more than 11 million views in live stream views alone. Unsurprisingly, that’s almost double the in-session watch time from 2019, as Twitch became a second home for many.
With 12 races, four events spread over eight days, and four streams per event, there’s never been more Esports content on offer from F1. The addition of dedicated qualifying streams preceding the races gave us a fresh look at the determination and effort on show from all our drivers. It also showcased F1 Esports in a casual tone, giving the presenters an opportunity to chat, and delivering some of the most memorable moments of the season!
The 2020 Pro Series brought with it a new status quo and fresh rivalries. Frede Rasmussen once again challenged the leading man, but as past champions struggled to make up ground and last year’s frontrunners struggled for consistency, one man remained a laser-focused threat throughout.
F1 Esports’ flying Dutchman Jarno Opmeer well and truly deserved the title, racking up four wins and a stonking total of 196 points along the way. He also amassed an unprecedented streak of six podiums in a row in the first six races, an impressive feat that built an almost insurmountable advantage.
Over the two days of the 2020 F1 Esports Pro Series grand final, more than 2.5 million of you tuned in to see Red Bull Racing Esports and Jarno Opmeer claim their crowns.
With the Pro Series streaming on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, Huya and broadcast partners around the world, and four steams per event including a dedicated qualifying stream, there was more action on offer than ever before. Long may it continue!
More people than ever attempted to qualify for the 2020 Pro Series. The hunger for Esports action was present after the success of the Virtual Grand Prix series. As the qualifications opened, more than 237,000 racers attempted to qualify through the in-game Esports hub on F1 2020. This is a huge increase of 117% on the previous year!
This huge cohort was of course whittled down to just the finest 30, who were made available for selection by the 10 official F1 Esports teams in the Pro Series.
Can you think of any other big numbers from F1 Esports in 2020? Get involved in the conversation on socials with #F1Esports, and join the official F1 Esports group on Facebook too.
More Esports news: Virtual Grand Prix returns for 2021!
