F1 drivers start sim racing championship for coronavirus charity

Six Formula 1 drivers have joined together with other racers to start a new simulation racing championship to raise funds for a coronavirus charity over the next week.

With F1 and all major sport out of action for the foreseeable future amid the coronavirus pandemic, many drivers have been filling their time with sim and video game racing, taking part in Esports series including F1’s own Virtual Grand Prix.

Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc have also been eager to help raise funds for coronavirus charities during the shutdown, with the McLaren driver shaving his head after he met his target of raising $10,000 as part of Twitch’s Stream Aid, while the Ferrari driver has recently backed the Italian Red Cross fundraising efforts.

Both have joined the ‘Race the World’ series which will take place on three nights across the next week featuring drivers from F1, F2, F3 and Super Formula.

Alongside Norris and Leclerc from the F1 ranks are Alexander Albon, George Russell, Antonio Giovinazzi and Nicholas Latifi.

Each of the three events will feature two races, taking place at 18:00 BST on Saturday April 11, Tuesday April 14 and Friday April 17.

The drivers are targeting to raise $100,000 with all funds going to the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.

Formula E’s Antonio Felix da Costa plus Ferrari juniors Callum Ilott, Giuliano Alesi and Arthur Leclerc have also signed up to join the championship along with Renault young gun Christian Lundgaard and Haas youngsters Pietro Fittipaldi and Louis Deletraz.

Reigning Super Formula champion Nick Cassidy is also on the grid plus Sean Gelael, Antonio Fuoco, Luca Salvadori, Luca Albon and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.