Carlos Sainz Jnr, McLaren, Albert Park, 2020

Six F1 drivers on final Virtual Grand Prix entry list as influencer replaces Sainz

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Six current Formula 1 drivers will take part in Sunday’s Virtual Grand Prix as Carlos Sainz Jnr is not returning following his debut two weeks ago.

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The McLaren driver’s place has been taken by influencer Jelle van Vucht, better known as Jelly. The 23-year-old will partner Lando Norris, who has entered all three rounds so far but has been blighted by connection problems.

The other five F1 drivers who have participated in the previous rounds will return including Charles Leclerc who is undefeated in his two appearances so far. Alexander Albon, Antonio Giovinazzi and Williams pair George Russell and Nicholas Latifi will all join the grid.

Former F1 drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Esteban Gutierrez will continue to drive for Mercedes, bringing the total contingent of grand prix drivers up to eight.

Formula 2 racers Christian Lundgaard, Juan Manuel Correa and Louis Deletraz will all return. Deletraz will continue to be partnered at Haas by the team’s other junior driver Pietro Fittipaldi.

The top-of-the-range hardware in Alexander Albon’s simracing rig
There will be two Fittipaldis on the grid as Pietro’s brother Enzo, a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, will partner Leclerc. Another member of a famous F1 family, Ralf Schumacher’s son (and Michael’s nephew) David Schumacher will drive for Racing Point. World Rally Champion Petter Solberg will also make his debut in the series alongside Lundgaard at Renault.

Two other sportspeople will also make their first appearances in a virtual grand prix: Cricketer Stuart Broad and football player Alessio Romagnoli.

The race will take place on the date the Dutch Grand Prix was due to go ahead. However as Zandvoort is not available in F1 2019 the venue for the race as chosen by a poll of fans will be Brazil’s Interlagos circuit.

Norris is also due to participate in Saturday’s IndyCar iRacing Challenge on Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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2020 Virtual Grand Prix Interlagos entry list

TeamDriverNotes
MercedesStoffel Vandoorne
MercedesEsteban Gutierrez
FerrariCharles Leclerc
FerrariEnzo Fittipaldi
Red BullAlexander Albon
Red BullBen StokesCricketer
McLarenLando Norris
McLarenJelle van VuchtGamer and influencer
RenaultChristian Lundgaard
RenaultPetter Solberg
AlphaTauriStuart BroadCricketer
AlphaTauriAlessio RomagnoliFootballer
Racing PointDavid Schumacher
Racing PointJimmy BroadbentGamer and influencer
Alfa RomeoAntonio Giovinazzi
Alfa RomeoJuan Manuel Correa
HaasLouis Deletraz
HaasPietro Fittipaldi
WilliamsGeorge Russell
WilliamsNicholas Latifi

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Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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7 comments on “Six F1 drivers on final Virtual Grand Prix entry list as influencer replaces Sainz”

  1. Profile Photo

    Steven Robertson (@emu55)
    1st May 2020, 22:06

    I’ll watch it but I can’t say I’m looking forward to it. Total buzzing to watch the Indianapolis race though.

  2. Profile Photo

    Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
    1st May 2020, 22:43

    Someone might have neglected to tell Norris he was taking part, though:

    https://twitter.com/racefansdotnet/status/1256333795772387333

    1. Profile Photo

      Sloppy Shades (@sloppysmusic)
      2nd May 2020, 15:15

      I wonder if the F1 drivers were invited to race or they actually had to apply. Even though it’s all just ‘good fun’ (!) it would be surprising to see Lando enter a very seriously taken race (yesterday and today’s iracing challenge at Indianapolis) and then just drop into Sundays F1 race. Not only would he be without practice but just have spent 2 days trying to master a whole new race skill (ovals) in a completely different simulation environment.
      Maybe there should be a triple crown in virtual racing as that would be impressive to me.

  3. baasbas
    2nd May 2020, 9:43

    I read ‘influenza’ ….

  4. Electroball76
    2nd May 2020, 12:27

    Driving under the influence? At lot has been written about how lifestyles may be permanently altered and many people might continue to work from home. Could we one day see the same in racing? Why risk your life in the cockpit when you can race at home in your pyjamas. Get a few random celebs on board and Bob’s your Auntie.

  5. Profile Photo

    Krommenaas (@krommenaas)
    2nd May 2020, 13:22

    Meanwhile FE had 23 out of 24 real drivers participating, with the 24th expected to join soon.
    This is just embarassing for F1.

    1. Profile Photo

      Pironi the Provocateur (@pironitheprovocateur)
      2nd May 2020, 13:46

      Or, it’s just irrelevant for most of the fans and the competitors alike.

Comments are closed.