Formula One Races to Move Online
2020-03-27
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1Formula One, or F1, racing drivers will join video game players and other people in a series of computer-based motor races, the sport announced last week.
2These virtual events will take the place of several actual races that F1 officials postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
3The first race, or grand prix, run on the official F1 2019 computer game, will be held this Sunday, when crowds should have been watching the real life Bahrain Grand Prix.
4Competitors in the virtual race will have to go around the length of the race track over 28 times.
5That is half the real distance of the real track in Bahrain.
6F1 officials said the virtual races, called the Esports Virtual Grand Prix Series, will continue until May.
7Other canceled or postponed races still to come include Vietnam, China, the Netherlands, Spain and Monaco.
8The first of the series will see current F1 drivers compete against "a host of stars to be announced," said Formula One.
9Those involved will compete remotely with a broadcast available on Formula One's YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels.
10Each race is expected to last about 90 minutes.
11Racing fans will be able to compete against real F1 drivers in special, internet-based individual races on non-grand prix weekends.
12Julian Tan is the head of competitive gaming, or Epsorts, for Formula One.
13He said the F1 community is very pleased to be able to provide the virtual grands prix "in these unpredictable times."
14"With every major sports league in the world unable to compete, it is a great time to highlight ... esports and the incredible skill that's on show," Tan told the Reuters news agency.
15Interest in online racing has exploded since real life motorsport activities were halted by the coronavirus, and this weekend offers plenty of choice.
16"Super Sim Saturday" offers fans three virtual races, one right after the other.
17They are the Nuerburgring Endurance Series, IMSA Super Sebring and THE RACE All-Stars Esports Battle.
18Veloce Esports are running a 'Not the Bah GP' on Sunday.
19Golfer Ian Poulter said he will be in that field, along with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
20Courtois told Britain's Sky Sports television that he loves Formula One.
21"It should be fun not just for me but [for] viewerships around the world which are craving sports... we'd love to get back to normality in sport as soon as possible, but if we can do it in a different format it will be quite fun for everyone to see," he said.
22I'm Pete Musto.
1Formula One, or F1, racing drivers will join video game players and other people in a series of computer-based motor races, the sport announced last week. 2These virtual events will take the place of several actual races that F1 officials postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. 3The first race, or grand prix, run on the official F1 2019 computer game, will be held this Sunday, when crowds should have been watching the real life Bahrain Grand Prix. 4Competitors in the virtual race will have to go around the length of the race track over 28 times. That is half the real distance of the real track in Bahrain. 5F1 officials said the virtual races, called the Esports Virtual Grand Prix Series, will continue until May. Other canceled or postponed races still to come include Vietnam, China, the Netherlands, Spain and Monaco. 6The first of the series will see current F1 drivers compete against "a host of stars to be announced," said Formula One. 7Those involved will compete remotely with a broadcast available on Formula One's YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels. Each race is expected to last about 90 minutes. 8Racing fans will be able to compete against real F1 drivers in special, internet-based individual races on non-grand prix weekends. 9Julian Tan is the head of competitive gaming, or Epsorts, for Formula One. He said the F1 community is very pleased to be able to provide the virtual grands prix "in these unpredictable times." 10"With every major sports league in the world unable to compete, it is a great time to highlight ... esports and the incredible skill that's on show," Tan told the Reuters news agency. 11Interest in online racing has exploded since real life motorsport activities were halted by the coronavirus, and this weekend offers plenty of choice. 12"Super Sim Saturday" offers fans three virtual races, one right after the other. They are the Nuerburgring Endurance Series, IMSA Super Sebring and THE RACE All-Stars Esports Battle. 13Veloce Esports are running a 'Not the Bah GP' on Sunday. 14Golfer Ian Poulter said he will be in that field, along with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. 15Courtois told Britain's Sky Sports television that he loves Formula One. 16"It should be fun not just for me but [for] viewerships around the world which are craving sports... we'd love to get back to normality in sport as soon as possible, but if we can do it in a different format it will be quite fun for everyone to see," he said. 17I'm Pete Musto. 18The Reuters news agency reported on this story. Pete Musto adapted the report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. 19_________________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21outbreak - n. a sudden start or increase of fighting or disease 22track - n. an often circular path or road that is used for racing 23host - n. a great amount or number 24remotely - adv. from a distance 25channels - n. systems used for sending something such as information or supplies from one place or person to another 26fans - n. people who like and admire someone (such as a famous person) or something (such as a sport or a sports team) in a very enthusiastic way 27league - n. a group of sports teams that play against each other 28highlight - v. to direct attention to (someone or something) 29craving - v. having a very strong desire for (something) 30format - n. the form, design, or arrangement of something (such as a book, magazine, or television or radio program)