Formula 1: 30 million views (TV and digital) for the Virtual Grand Prix series during lockdown

The F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix series (including eight virtual GPs, exhibition races of professional drivers and "challenge events") generated "a record breaking 30 million views across TV and digital platforms during the lockdown period," announced Formula One Group on 19/06/2020.

The Virtual Grand Prix posted 21.8 million views on the digital platforms YouTube, Facebook and Twitch (international) as well as on Weibo and Huya (China). An additional 5 million views were recorded for the Grand Prix by Formula 1 broadcast partners in over 100 countries.

11 Formula 1 drivers have taken part in at least one of the Virtual Grand Prix. Professional footballers (Belgian Thibaut Courtois and Argentinean Sergio Agüero), golfers and artists also took part in the races.

• The Virtual Grand Prix were held on the official Formula 1 video game "F1 2019" published by the British company Codemasters.

2020 Formula 1: start of the season in Austria with two races on 05 and 12/07/2020 (15 to 18 Grand Prix expected, 8 confirmed)