F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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Racer X
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F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... RKe8vQaRGo



Formula 1 launches Virtual Grand Prix Series to replace postponed races
3/20/2020



Formula 1 has today announced the launch of a new F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix series, featuring a number of current F1 drivers. The series has been created to enable fans to continue watching Formula 1 races virtually, despite the ongoing COVID-19 situation that has affected this season’s opening race calendar.

The virtual races will run in place of every postponed Grand Prix, starting this weekend with the Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday March 22. Every subsequent race weekend will see the postponed real-world Formula 1 race replaced with a Virtual Grand Prix*, with the initiative currently scheduled to run until May**.

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The first race of the series will see current F1 drivers line up on the grid alongside a host of stars to be announced in due course. In order to guarantee the participants safety at this time, each driver will join the race remotely, with a host broadcast live from the Gfinity Esports Arena (or remotely if required) from 8:00pm (GMT) on Sunday March 22.

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The series will use the official F1 2019 PC video game, developed by Codemasters, and the first virtual GP on the Sakhir track will be a 50% length race with 28 laps. The broadcast, which will be available on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels, as well as F1.com, is expected to run for 1 hour 30 minutes, with a qualifying period where grid positions will be determined based on the drivers’ fastest lap time.


Due to the wide variety of gaming skill levels amongst the drivers, game settings will be configured in such a way to encourage competitive and entertaining racing. This includes running equal car performance with fixed setups, reduced vehicle damage, and optional anti-lock brakes and traction control for those less familiar with the game.

The series is strictly for entertainment purposes, to bring racing action to fans in this unprecedented scenario the world has been affected by, with no official World Championship points up for grabs for the drivers.

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During non-race weekends, Formula 1 will also be hosting online exhibition races, where fans from around the world will be given the chance to go head-to-head with F1 drivers. More details of these events will be available across the official Formula 1 social media channels in the coming weeks.

Julian Tan, Head of Digital Business Initiatives and Esports said:
“We are very pleased to be able to bring some light relief in the form of the F1 Esports Virtual GP, in these unpredictable times, as we hope to entertain fans missing the regular sporting action. With every major sports league in the world unable to compete, it is a great time to highlight the benefits of esports and the incredible skill that’s on show.”

Frank Sagnier, Chief Executive Officer, Codemasters added:
“We’re excited to be a part of the new F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix Series. With sporting events currently on hold around the world, it’s great that the official F1® video game can help fill the void by bringing together an exciting line-up of talent to race online during the postponed race weekends. It’s going to be competitive, action-packed, and a lot of fun for everyone involved.”

John Clarke, Gfinity Chief Executive Officer said:
“Gfinity is proud to be playing its part in the design and delivery of the F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix series, which will bring exciting virtual racing to a legion of Formula 1 and Esports fans around the globe. The virtual Bahrain GP will feature all the thrills and spills of racing with F1 drivers and special guest celebrities going head-to-head, which promises to put a smile back on the faces of millions of sports fans.”

*Grands Prix not available in the 2019 official F1 video game will be replaced with an alternative Grand Prix.

**The F1 Esports Virtual GP initiative will be extended beyond May if the coronavirus pandemic results in further Grand Prix cancellations/postponements.
Last edited by Racer X on 20 Mar 2020, 17:47, edited 3 times in total.
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3jawchuck
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Re: F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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Hmmm, the video clip doesn't inspire much hope this will be worth watching, not feeling anything for it myself. Watching others play video games is only fun if the person playing is funny, or otherwise entertaining to listen to.

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Racer X
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Re: F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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3jawchuck wrote:
20 Mar 2020, 17:39
Hmmm, the video clip doesn't inspire much hope this will be worth watching, not feeling anything for it myself. Watching others play video games is only fun if the person playing is funny, or otherwise entertaining to listen to.
i shall be watching as it will be nice to see something at least for the first "race".
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Racer X
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Re: F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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Follow up question if Williams ends up E-Champion.... Does it count?
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izzy
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Re: F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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Liberty lol, they just had to dumb it down!

SmallSoldier
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Re: F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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izzy wrote:Liberty lol, they just had to dumb it down!
With no content or news to really keep fan engaged during this period of time, this isn’t a bad idea to provide some content for those that may be interested in it... I see nothing wrong with the initiative.


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izzy
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Re: F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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SmallSoldier wrote:
20 Mar 2020, 18:47
izzy wrote:Liberty lol, they just had to dumb it down!
With no content or news to really keep fan engaged during this period of time, this isn’t a bad idea to provide some content for those that may be interested in it... I see nothing wrong with the initiative.
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yes the idea itself is great, but they've de-skilled it haven't they:
Due to the wide variety of gaming skill levels amongst the drivers, game settings will be configured in such a way to encourage competitive and entertaining racing. This includes running equal car performance with fixed setups, reduced vehicle damage, and optional anti-lock brakes and traction control for those less familiar with the game.
so now it's not such a test of skill and then what is it? already 6 F1 drivers have turned it down, it says on Racefans

So it's the same instinct that Liberty have to stop it being difficult, or expensive. they want 'close racing' and don't realise that it doesn't matter whether it's close or not if the result doesn't mean something about awesome. They needed to make it more difficult not less

SmallSoldier
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Re: F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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izzy wrote:
SmallSoldier wrote:
20 Mar 2020, 18:47
izzy wrote:Liberty lol, they just had to dumb it down!
With no content or news to really keep fan engaged during this period of time, this isn’t a bad idea to provide some content for those that may be interested in it... I see nothing wrong with the initiative.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
yes the idea itself is great, but they've de-skilled it haven't they:
Due to the wide variety of gaming skill levels amongst the drivers, game settings will be configured in such a way to encourage competitive and entertaining racing. This includes running equal car performance with fixed setups, reduced vehicle damage, and optional anti-lock brakes and traction control for those less familiar with the game.
so now it's not such a test of skill and then what is it? already 6 F1 drivers have turned it down, it says on Racefans

So it's the same instinct that Liberty have to stop it being difficult, or expensive. they want 'close racing' and don't realise that it doesn't matter whether it's close or not if the result doesn't mean something about awesome. They needed to make it more difficult not less
The reason why they’ve made it with “easier” settings is because not every driver is a “gamer”... And therefore, those with more experience with the game in itself (more than the concepts behind it) would have a dramatical advantage... Last weekend the F1 drivers were not dominating (as one would have expected) against the “gamers”... If the likes of Hamilton, Vettel, Kimi (to name a few that are considered among the best on the grid) have never played F1 2019, they would be at a clear disadvantage... So, having an “even field” isn’t the worst idea... Some of them may not even have a rig at home to play with.


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NathanOlder
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Re: F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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We should organise an F1 Technical Virtual league. surely we can get enough??
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SmallSoldier
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Re: F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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NathanOlder wrote:We should organise an F1 Technical Virtual league. surely we can get enough??
I just bought F1-2019 and should be here Sunday... So, if a League is created, I’ll be more than happy to join!


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izzy
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Re: F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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SmallSoldier wrote:
20 Mar 2020, 19:24
The reason why they’ve made it with “easier” settings is because not every driver is a “gamer”... And therefore, those with more experience with the game in itself (more than the concepts behind it) would have a dramatical advantage... Last weekend the F1 drivers were not dominating (as one would have expected) against the “gamers”... If the likes of Hamilton, Vettel, Kimi (to name a few that are considered among the best on the grid) have never played F1 2019, they would be at a clear disadvantage... So, having an “even field” isn’t the worst idea... Some of them may not even have a rig at home to play with.
alright i can see that thinking BUT then what does the result mean? they've carefully tried to make it so the winner isn't necessarily the best at it. That's the complete definition of dumbing down

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Zynerji
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Re: F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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Called this!

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nzjrs
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Re: F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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Gross. I'd rather they opened up the legacy catalog on the app and/or re-streamed a previous season.

But hey, this one has influencers!

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Racer X
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Re: F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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Does anyone have a list of confirmed drivers or drivers who have turned it down?
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bluechris
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Re: F1 To replace canceled or postponed GP's with Virtual ones .

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Come on, vrace with aids ON and half distance? Is this a joke? Kimi and older have huge hours on their teams simulators and for sure sitting home so long can practice with the game.

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