Formula 1 relies on virtual races in the Corona crisis. The winner of the Spanish Grand Prix is George Russell, a pilot who otherwise drives far behind in the field. He prevails under strange circumstances, while David Schumacher struggles.
Williams driver George Russell won a race in the virtual Formula 1 series for the first time. The 22-year-old Brit won on the simulated circuit in Barcelona after a close duel with his Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc. Until shortly before the end, it had looked like another win for Leclerc after Russell had been fined for illegal driving. But in the penultimate of the 33 laps on the virtual Circuit de Catalunya, the Ferrari driver also received a three-second penalty and had to be content with second place.
“I’m not used to winning,” said Russell, laughing in a phone booth right after the race. In the past Formula 1 season, he was mostly without a chance in the defeated Williams. Out of joy at his virtual win, he “almost wore his pants,” said Russell.
Schumacher turns early
The virtual racing series is intended to offer Formula 1 fans some entertainment during the Corona break. Drivers are always driven on Sundays on which, according to the race schedule, a Grand Prix would have taken place. Several of the current pilots are there, this time alongside Leclerc and Russell also Alex Albon, Antonio Giovinazzi, Nicholas Latifi and Lando Norris. Whereby Norris is declining more and more to the running gag of the format because his technique repeatedly failed him and he therefore had to end races early or could not start at all.
David Schumacher started for Racing Point.
(Photo: imago images / Motorsport Images)
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But drivers from other series are also starting, such as the German David Schumacher. The 19-year-old son of Ralf Schumacher and nephew of record world champion Michael Schumacher had to settle for 13th place on Sunday. “Unfortunately I turned. Probably because the tires were still cold,” said Schumacher at RTL.de about a – from his point of view – decisive scene in the early stages.
Prominent football professionals were also there as guest starters. The Belgian Thibaut Courtois, goalkeeper of Real Madrid, came in twelfth. Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero finished 14th.
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