Giovinazzi joins Leclerc for virtual GP (Update)

Giovinazzi

UPDATE Alfa Romeo Team Press Release:

Antonio Giovinazzi will make his Formula One Esports debut on Sunday as he steps in the cockpit of one of the team’s cars at the F1 Virtual Grand Prix. The 26-year-old Italian will face fellow Formula One drivers and a varied mix of celebrities and former racers in the second installment of the sport’s official series of events.

The race, which will pitch the drivers against each other around the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, will be broadcast live from 8pm BST on Sunday.

Simracing is not completely new ground of Antonio, who has a history of competing on various platforms and with different software; it will, nonetheless, be the Italian’s debut on the official Formula One game.

Antonio will line up alongside Formula One legend and three-time Grand Prix winner, Johnny Herbert, who will return to the steering wheel after racing and finishing in P13 for the team at the Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix. With their mix of youth and experience, the team’s line-up is sure to be a fan favorite.

Drivers will join the race remotely, with a host broadcast live from the Gfinity Esports Arena from 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday April 5. The broadcast, which will be available for streaming on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels, is expected to run for 90 minutes, with a qualifying period where grid positions will be determined based on the drivers’ fastest lap time, followed by a 28-lap race.

Antonio Giovinazzi

04/03/20 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi is jumping into the world of virtual racing as he joins the rest of the world in adjusting to the coronavirus pandemic.

As his country grapples with hundreds of deaths per day, the Italian is holed up alone at home.

"I am taking the opportunity to do physical activity, I am in contact with my trainer and I train, especially to keep the neck muscles," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Many of my colleagues have a home gym, I don't but I am organizing myself. But I can't wait to get back into my car," the Alfa Romeo driver added.

Giovinazzi, 26, admits that staying at home for so long with restrictions in place is difficult.

"I miss my friends, I miss my girlfriend, I miss my family and I'm trying to go to Puglia for Easter," he said.

"I have discovered that I am a good cook and I must admit that it is becoming a real passion."

Also important, he said, is to keep up the driving and racing practice – on a simulator.

"It's an important way to train, and helps to maintain the concentration of driving. And I take this opportunity to announce that I will do the virtual GP on Sunday with Leclerc and others," Giovinazzi said.