Ferrari star Leclerc wins on Virtual GP debut as Russell also makes podium for Williams; Watch the best bits from the race below
Monday 6 April 2020 09:49, UK
Charles Leclerc proved that Formula 1 speed was more than effective in the world of Esports on Sunday as the Ferrari driver dominated a star-studded grid to win the sport's second Virtual GP.
In a field which included Alex Albon, Jenson Button and cricketer Ben Stokes, Leclerc, a two-time F1 race-winner, outclassed them all as he shone in his online debut by converting his pole start into a comfortable victory around Melbourne's Albert Park circuit.
"It was unbelievably hard. I'm sitting in a chair at home but I'm sweating like crazy!" said Leclerc. "We always knew the driver who made the least mistakes would win as we're all very close on pace.
"It's obviously a very tough moment for everyone staying at home but we tried our best to entertain."
The race was less chaotic than the virtual series' Bahrain debut, but still provided plenty of entertainment and wheel-to-wheel battles - while all five of the F1 drivers that took part in the race, minus Lando Norris who had technical difficulties, finished in the top-10 despite their lack of sim-racing experience.
Although Renault's Christian Lundgaard - an F3 driver - was Leclerc's closest challenger, George Russell was third for Williams, Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi was fifth, Alex Albon was eighth in the Red Bull, and Nicholas Latifi rounded off the top-10 following a spirited fight from Button.
Button, the 2009 world champion, was the top performer from the Sky F1 team as he fought bravely against the likes of Albon and Latifi during his first taste of F1 Esports.
Anthony Davidson and Johnny Herbert didn't fare quite as well - with Ant crashing in qualifying before finishing 15th in the race, and Johnny 17th after battling with England cricketer Stokes.
Stokes, the true novice in the field, was only four seconds off the pace in qualifying and started the race well, before a spin onto the grass early on.
The other star performers from the event included Charles' younger brother Arthur Leclerc, who was fourth, and Mercedes' Stoffel Vandoorne - formerly of the F1 grid with McLaren.
1. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
2. Christian Lundgaard, Renault
3. George Russell, Williams
4. Arthur Leclerc, Ferrari
5. Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo
6. Stoffel Vandoorne, Mercedes
7. Louis Deletraz, Haas
8. Alex Albon, Red Bull
9. Jimmy Broadbent, Racing Point
10. Nicholas Latifi, Williams
