Vettel considering joining F1 rivals in sim racing

Sebastian Vettel says he is considering whether to join many of his Formula 1 rivals and start to take part in sim racing.

The four-time world champion is yet to participate in any of the sim races during the coronavirus-related racing hiatus - including F1’s official Virtual Grand Prix series - but revealed he has taken delivery of his first sim rig in the last week.

Vettel’s Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc claimed victory on his F1 Esports debut in the Vietnam Virtual Grand Prix last time out and now the German says he is tempted to get involved himself.

“The truth is I didn’t have a simulator until a couple of days ago, so I haven’t been tempted because I didn’t have the chance,” Vettel explained during a video conference from his home in Switzerland.

“I have heard a lot of things about it, so I figured I should get one and try, but I still need to set it up properly. Generally I am not going to foresee a career in sim racing - I think it is more something to try for fun.

“I’ve grown up with some of the stuff and I have been playing some games, but to be honest since I had kids it’s not the first thing on my list to do,” he added.

“But we’ll see how much time there will be. But I have read some of the news that some have been racing and I've also read that Charles did well on his debut so that was good for him and the team.

“I’m aware that some people take it very seriously and spend a lot of time there, but I also enjoy doing other things so it will be a bit of a mix.”

A number of F1 drivers, including Red Bull pair Max Verstappen and Alex Albon, and McLaren’s Lando Norris have been contesting a number of sim racing events to pass the time with no real-world action occurring as a result of the ongoing global COVID-19 crisis.

Seven F1 drivers have signed up to take part in this weekend’s F1 Esports round - the Chinese Virtual Grand Prix - including first-time race-winner Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who is set to make his debut with McLaren fielding its complete 2020 driver line-up.  

The third race of the F1 Virtual Grand Prix series takes place tonight at 18:00 BST. All the information you need to follow the event can be found here.