Formula 1’s next virtual grand prix will see an unchanged crop of current drivers, while three notable footballers will be joining the race.
Intended as a replacement for the events cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, the race, held using the official F1 2019 video game, will see the same F1 contingent as last weekend’s virtual Dutch GP.
That means the field will feature Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi, Williams’ George Russell and Nicholas Latifi, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, as well as Red Bull’s Alex Albon, who won last time out.
In the absence of the other 14 drivers on the grid, a host of guest drivers will again feature, with a trio of footballers leading the way.
Returning for a second race after featuring in the virtual Chinese GP, Belgium and Real Madrid footballer Thibaut Courtois will be driving for Alfa Romeo, while Argentina and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, and Brazil and Barcelona’s Arthur Melo will be making their virtual debuts for Red Bull and Haas respectively.
The other celebrity announced in the field is golfer Ian Poulter, who will contest a third race with Renault.
Making up the rest of the field will be a slew of drivers from other categories, including names such as Pietro Fittipaldi and David Schumacher.
Those wishing to catch the action can do so across F1’s YouTube, Twitch, Weibo, Huya and Facebook channels from 6:00pm on Sunday, May 10.