The Bahrain Virtual Grand Prix is a virtual racing event that was held in place of the real-life Bahrain Grand Prix race, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual race took place on March 22, 2020, at 8 pm GMT, and was broadcast on various platforms, including YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook. It featured a mix of F1 drivers, esports stars, celebrities, and other notable individuals, competing on a PC version of the F1 2019 game. The virtual race consisted of a shortened qualifying session followed by a 28-lap race, with the entire event lasting around 90 minutes.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Date | 22 March 2020 |
Time | 8 pm GMT/9 pm CET/4 pm EST/1 pm PST |
Format | Esports race featuring F1 drivers, esports stars, and other celebrities |
Game | PC version of F1 2019 |
Number of Laps | 28 |
Duration | 90 minutes |
Track | Bahrain International Circuit |
Broadcast Channels | YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, F1 Website, Sky Sports F1 (UK) |
What You'll Learn
- The 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- The Virtual Grand Prix was held on the original race date in 2020
- The virtual race was won by Formula Two driver Guanyu Zhou
- The race was streamed on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook
- The virtual race was 28 laps long and lasted for 90 minutes
The 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
In place of the physical event, an online virtual Grand Prix was held on the original race date, featuring racing drivers, celebrities, and esports racers. The virtual race was won by Formula Two driver Guanyu Zhou.
In August 2020, the Bahrain Grand Prix was rescheduled for November 29. However, due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, organisers announced that the Grand Prix would again take place without spectators. Local authorities did, however, give special dispensation for local health workers to attend with their families in recognition of their efforts during the pandemic.
The 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix was the sixteenth time the race had been run as a round of the Formula One World Championship. It was the first of two back-to-back Formula One races held in Bahrain that year, with the second race, the Sakhir Grand Prix, taking place at the same venue on December 6 but with a different circuit layout.
The 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix was impacted by a serious accident involving Romain Grosjean, which resulted in his car splitting in two and catching fire. Grosjean escaped with second-degree burns and was hospitalised. He did not participate in the final two races of the season due to his injuries and subsequently left Formula One for the IndyCar Series.
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The Virtual Grand Prix was held on the original race date in 2020
The Bahrain Grand Prix in 2020 was originally scheduled for 22 March but was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In its place, an online virtual Grand Prix was held on the original race date, featuring racing drivers, celebrities, and esports racers. The virtual race was won by Formula Two driver Guanyu Zhou.
The Virtual Grand Prix was held on a Sunday, with a shortened qualifying session to sort the grid followed by a 28-lap race, lasting around 90 minutes in total. The event was broadcast on various platforms, including the official Formula One YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook pages, as well as the F1 website.
The virtual race took place on the Bahrain track, specifically the 'Grand Prix Circuit' configuration at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. This was the same track that the real-life race was originally supposed to take place on.
The Virtual Grand Prix was well-received, with a star-studded grid and a competitive atmosphere, despite no world championship points being at stake. It served as a creative solution to the challenges posed by the pandemic, allowing fans to still experience the thrill of racing, even if it was in a virtual setting.
The 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix was eventually rescheduled and took place on 29 November 2020, marking the fifteenth round of the 2020 Formula One World Championship.
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The virtual race was won by Formula Two driver Guanyu Zhou
The 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In its place, an online virtual Grand Prix was held, featuring racing drivers, celebrities, and esports racers. The virtual race was won by Formula Two driver Guanyu Zhou, who joined Renault test driver for the French team. Zhou's victory marked the first time a Formula Two driver had won the Bahrain Grand Prix, albeit in a virtual format.
Zhou's triumph was made even more impressive by the calibre of his fellow competitors. The virtual race included a mix of professional racing drivers, such as Nico Hulkenberg, Stoffel Vandoorne, and Philipp Eng, as well as celebrities like Olympian Chris Hoy and golfing champion Ian Poulter. Despite the absence of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who chose not to participate, the competition was fierce.
The virtual Bahrain Grand Prix was held on the original race date, 22 March 2020, and was a shortened version of the real thing. It consisted of a qualifying round followed by a 28-lap race, lasting around 90 minutes in total. The event was broadcast on various platforms, including YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook, allowing fans to tune in and witness Zhou's historic victory.
Guanyu Zhou's win in the virtual Bahrain Grand Prix showcased his talent and adaptability as a driver. While the virtual race may not have carried the same weight as a physical race, it provided a unique opportunity for drivers and fans to come together and compete despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. Zhou's victory remains a memorable moment in the history of the Bahrain Grand Prix, demonstrating that skill and determination can prevail even in unconventional circumstances.
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The race was streamed on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook
The Bahrain Grand Prix is a Formula One motor race that usually takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. However, in 2020, the race was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In its place, an online virtual Grand Prix was held, featuring racing drivers, celebrities, and esports racers. The virtual race was streamed on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook, as well as F1.com, allowing fans from all over the world to tune in and watch.
The Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix was a 28-lap race on the Codemasters F1 2019 game, taking place on the same track as the real-life race. The event was hosted by Gfinity Esports Arena, with a broadcast that began at 20:20 GMT. In addition to the official Formula 1 channels, some drivers also chose to stream the race themselves on their own channels, giving fans multiple viewing options.
The Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix was not just a one-time event. Formula 1 announced that they would be running virtual races for each postponed race on the calendar, including Vietnam, China, the Netherlands, Spain, and Monaco. These virtual races provided a way for fans to still engage with the sport and for the racing community to come together during a challenging time.
The 2020 Bahrain Virtual Grand Prix was a unique event that brought together the worlds of racing and esports. By streaming the event on popular platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook, Formula 1 was able to reach a wide audience and provide entertainment and excitement during a time when traditional sports leagues had come to a halt due to the pandemic.
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The virtual race was 28 laps long and lasted for 90 minutes
The Bahrain Grand Prix is a Formula One motor race that usually takes place on the 'Grand Prix Circuit' configuration at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. However, in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the race was postponed and an online virtual Grand Prix was held in its place. The virtual race was 28 laps long and lasted for 90 minutes.
The virtual Bahrain Grand Prix took place on the PC version of the F1 2019 game, with a shortened qualifying session to sort the grid before the race. The race was broadcast on various platforms, including the official Formula One YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook pages, as well as the F1 website.
The virtual race featured a mix of real-life drivers and celebrities, with racing drivers, esports stars, and global sports stars participating. Notable participants included Nico Hulkenberg, Stoffel Vandoorne, Philipp Eng, Olympian Chris Hoy, and golfing champion Ian Poulter.
The 2020 Bahrain Virtual Grand Prix served as a replacement for the postponed real-life race and was part of a series of virtual Grand Prix races held during that time. The virtual race allowed for a continuation of the Formula One season, providing entertainment and competition for both drivers and fans during the pandemic.
The Bahrain Grand Prix, whether virtual or in-person, is a significant event in the Formula One calendar, attracting participants and viewers from around the world. The race usually takes place over 57 laps and is a highly anticipated competition in the world of motor racing.
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Frequently asked questions
The first Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix took place on March 22, 2020.
The Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix was held as the original race was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix was held at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain.
The Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix was a 28-lap race lasting around 90 minutes.
The Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix featured a mix of F1 drivers, esports stars, celebrities, and other notable individuals.