In brighter news, the Covid-19 virus has brought to the forefront different formats of motor racing. Just weeks after MotoGP announced and executed its first ever #StayAtHomeGP Virtual Race, the FIA Formula E Championship has announced its own ‘Race at Home’ Challenge.
The Formula E Race at Home Challenge will feature two separate races running simultaneously, one with professional drivers the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, and the other with some of the world’s fastest gamers and influencers.
Drivers and gamers will compete using the rFactor 2 simulator software in multiple online races taking place over a nine-week period. Races will be held every Saturday. Points will be gained over consecutive race weekends, and will contribute to overall standings. The final race is scheduled for 13 June.
It isn’t all about the race with the FIA Formula E Race at Home Challenge. The deeper objective of the Race at Home Challenge is to raise funds for UNICEF. The orgnisation is to use the funds to keep children around the world safe during the Covid-19 crisis.
In related news, Mahindra Racing has announced that both its Formula E drivers, Pascal Wehrlein and Jerome d’Ambrosio will participate at the Formula E Championship Race at Home Challenge. The racers will participate in a one-lap qualifier, followed by ‘knock-out’ laps until 10 drivers remain.
Both Wehrlein and d’Ambrosio have been racing for Mahindra over the last two seasons. Jerome d’Ambrosio has previously raced for the Lotus Virgin team in the Formula 1 Series, and has been racing in the E Series since 2014.