Bahrain Virtual Grand Prix result: Guanyu Zhou wins inaugural F1 eSports race cut short by technical problems
Inaugural Virtual Grand Prix had to be cut in half due to technical issues but provides plenty of drama as F2 prospect makes history with online victory
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Guangu Zhou made history by winning the first Formula One Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix on a chaotic and technically-challenging night, as live motorsport returned to screens amid the coronavirus crisis.
Teething issues with the event could not mask the fact that F1 was attempting to bring a bit of light relief at a hugely difficult time, with the outbreak of Covid-19 currently sweeping the world and causing nearly all sport to be cancelled due to health concerns.
As a result, F1 have committed to running a Virtual Grand Prix each race weekend, with the first taking place at the Bahrain International Circuit. Unfortunately, the short-notice left many F1 stars unable to compete, leaving only Lando Norris and Nicholas Latifi as the only current drivers on the grid. But they were made up with a host of famous names, with former drivers Nico Hulkenberg, Stoffel Vandoorne, Anthony Davidson and Johnny Herbert all competing, while the more well-known names from outside of the sport featured Olympian Sir Chris Hoy and former One Direction star Liam Payne.
However, a lengthy delay that saw Norris unable to take part in qualifying meant that the race was cut to 25 per cent distance, leaving a 14-lap shootout rather than the 28-lap scheduled Grand Prix, and the technical gremlins returned when the current McLaren star was booted out of the race on the formation lap.
A lightning start from Herbert resulted in a 10-second time penalty as he cut the first corner to take the lead, but the veteran could not hold on as Philip Eng and Zhou quickly passed him to battle for the lead. Zhou elected to pit early, and utilised the undercut to take a healthy lead when the stops cycled through, leading by more than nine second and take the chequered flag. Eng lost second place on the penultimate lap to a charging Vandoorne, and although Norris was able to make a late charge when he reconnected to the session, his hopes of salvaging fourth ended in a collision with Jimmy Broadbent at the final corner, leaving him down in fifth.
The series will return in two weeks' time, with F1 set to announce a random venue to replace the postponed Vietnamese Grand Prix.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
'Not The Bah GP'
1. Dani Berezney (Alfa Romeo)
2. Jarno Opmeer (Renault)
3. James Baldwin (Alfa Romeo)
4. Cem Bolukbasi
5. Nicholas Latifi
6. Ben Daly
7. Stoffel Vandoorne
8. Jimmy Broadbent
9. James Doherty
10. Lando Norris
'Not The Bah GP'
Next up it's the reverse grid race, meaning race-winner Berezney will be starting in 20th and last and tasked with coming through the entire field if he wants to make it three wins from three.
'Not The Bah GP'
Race two formation lap is underway, with Willneiscool on pole ahead of Steve Brown and Ian Pouter in third. Courtois is in eight, Norris in 11th and Jimmy Broadbent in 13th. here we go...
'Not The Bah GP'
'Super GT' Steve Brown takes the lead off the line, but Poulter is off! From third to last on one swift move, with Courtois and Vandoorne also in trouble. Norris meanwhile goes from 11th to sixth!
'Not The Bah GP'
How are the pro sim races doing? Well Cem Bolukbasi has gone from 14th to 4th in a lap!
'Not The Bah GP'
Berezney pits at the start of the first lap, and that may be a big tactical move there to avoid traffic and get a clear run even on the slower tyres.
'Not The Bah GP'
"I just took out Hulkenberg!" - Lando gets rather excited as he passes the veteran F1 star into turn five as Norris moves up to fourth.
'Not The Bah GP'
Bolukbasi takes the lead! From 15th to first in under three laps, while Broadbent and Doherty are having a fascinating battle for seventh.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments