Formula 1 Has The (Internet) Speed To Win In Gaming
I’m in the driver’s seat of a Formula 1 car in the middle of the grid. The engines are revving. My hands are shaking. I’m not ready to face the amount of G’s. And then, the countdown starts. 3, 2, 1, and it’s lights out! Suddenly, I’m clamped onto the back of the seat, keeping in mind the car to the left and right of me. Turn 1 is a quick right turn; if I don’t watch out, everything can end right here. While switching gears, I suddenly lose grip of the steering wheel. BAM! Spinning out of control, I lose sight of the rest of the cars. There they go.
And just like that, I’m sitting still, feeling nothing but a sigh of relief that all of this had been my senses feeling the thrill of watching a virtual F1 race. All it needed was a seat, a TV, and a person who strives to be in the driver’s seat racing the fastest drivers in the world.
You have 1.4 seconds to enjoy what I’m about to share: esports are here to stay.
Watching the recent F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix made it seem too real to be true. F1 driver Charles Leclerc of Scuderia Ferrari won in a breeze, while McLaren driver Lando (temporarily “Baldo”) Norris faced technical difficulties to connect to the main race (though completed the qualifying rounds). Even my dad was shocked when he stared at the TV screen and was amazed by the fact that it was a virtual race and not a real one in Melbourne.
I’d like to commend Formula 1 for being open to filling their season with a virtual grand prix schedule. Live events are being replaced with virtual/online events that continue to get their audience engaged. Here are a few things that Formula 1 excelled both on and off virtual racing:
1. They know how to make a virtual race a thriller.
From the “shoutcasters” (a term for esports broadcasters) to the footage showcasing their simulator (or “sim”) kits, the replacement of expensive cars and large gatherings of people can be seen through this virtual race. Each turn felt like what it would be if you were at the race. The many camera angles complement the race as well. My eyes were glued to the screen (as many of us can be), but it almost felt like sensory overload with the high-end graphics. Again, my dad could not believe it was a virtual race at first. Imagine those who tuned in to ESPN2 and initially thought it was a real race! A game well published, Codemasters. A job well done by the F1 Instagram page and the Formula 1: Drive to Survive Netflix show for hyping the sport to a larger audience.
2. They featured F1 racers (both current and former), sim racers, and more stars.
Who knew you could put 20 athletes (more like 18 since 2 had technical difficulties, Lando Norris included), racers and non-racers alike in the same grid? I mean, look at this unique lineup:
- Mercedes — Stoffel Vandoorne (Formula E driver) and Esteban Gutierrez (F1 reserve driver)
- FDA Hublot Esports — Charles Leclerc (F1 driver) and Arthur Leclerc (F4 driver)
- Red Bull — Alex Albon (F1 driver) and Ben Stokes (2019 Cricket World Cup champion)
- McLaren — Lando Norris (F1 driver) and Jenson Button (2009 F1 world champion)
- Renault Sport Team Vitality — Christian Lundgaard (F2 driver) and Andre Heimgartner (V8 Supercars driver)
- Racing Point — Anthony Davidson (broadcaster and retired F1 driver) and Jimmy Broadbent (popular sim racer/streamer)
- AlphaTauri — Luca Salvadori (pro motorcycle racer) and Nunzio ‘NU89’ Todisco (motorsport YouTuber)
- Alfa Romeo — Antonio Giovinazzi (F1 driver) and Johnny Herbert (retired F1 driver)
- Haas — Pietro Fittipaldi (F1 reserve driver) and Louis Deletraz (F1 reserve driver)
- Williams — George Russell (F1 driver) and Nicholas Latifi (F1 driver)
3. Crash? No problem. (Sorta.)
Yes, there were some car crashes. The great part of it is that it is all digital, so no one got hurt. The tension of the race kept going even with the yellow flag raised. There’s not much cleaning up to do after all. This is a great opportunity for parents who have kids who are aspiring to be the next racecar driver yet would only have them be a virtual driver. It is less damaging on many fronts (and less expensive!). However, the technical issues are something to consider so that the virtual race looks and feels more fluid. (Don’t worry, Lando. You’ll get to race soon.)
As exciting as the virtual race can be, it’ll take some time for people to get used to the change. While there are ways to change thoughts on how traditional sports head to the virtual sports space, here are ways for Formula 1 to improve on the experience:
1. Get the drivers to multitask even more.
The level-playing field on a racetrack is enchanting, but what if they weren’t? What if there was virtual rainy weather? What would happen if the drivers were to answer questions from the shoutcasters or a Twitter feed during the race? What if the drivers were to chat with the other drivers while they overtake each other? The mental acuity of an esports athlete can be that of an athlete, so why not elevate the risk? At the same time, audience members can feel like the track is in their control while also interact with the best of the best in what they do. Challenge accepted!
2. Brands, hop on the virtual race car of engagement galore!
There is a plethora of opportunities available for brands to immerse into a virtual race. Is it another logo bug at the top right of the screen? Is it at the broadcasters’s desk? Is it the top moment of the race? Or, is it going to be as part of the virtual experience?
Look at it on the bright side. As virtual cars zoom by the track, you could be virtually in the race. The drivers could add a nice branding touch to their sim kits. In between the qualification rounds and the actual race, a team that ends up next to each other on the grid will get any viewer a chance for a sweepstakes for tickets to the next race. Create a package deal for the virtual camera angles where the race cars look like a branded version of that particular brand (how cool would it be if the cars looked like buffaloes to represent Buffalo Wild Wings?). On top of that, if the Overtake Delivery of the Day were a food delivery brand, the driver gets to donate food to a charitable organization of their choosing! It’s amazing to see how video games can make that kind of impact. :’)
3. Let the people see and be heard! Here’s to getting closer to the car.
Seeing is believing in esports. If viewers had control of the camera angles, this is their chance. We get to do so when it comes to the College Football Playoff National Championship with the spider cam. In a “spectator mode,” players should have the opportunity to watch the race in their own leisurely play of camera angles. It’s like a game within a game. They could virtually sit next to Charles Leclerc crush his opponents. Plus, brands can gather more intriguing data out of that (i.e. the most-viewed camera angle, driver POV angle, turn angle, etc.).
It’s exciting to see what comes next to the finish line in sim racing, especially in Formula 1. As other leagues look to esports to fill the current void (NASCAR and IndyCar are well into the virtual racing adrenaline in iRacing), keep in mind what makes you want to be on the edge of your own driver’s seat. Gamify the experience so that it feels like more than just a race. Bring out the entertainment in virtual racing, but also show the good side of these gaming racers.
When people are waiting for the “right moment” in esports, they are waiting for the time when gaming and sports have blurred lines, not defined. This should be viewed as an opportunity to overtake the whole grid and only in the end will you realize you’ve done something impactful beyond the virtual grand prix. And, you did that all by sitting on the couch. Drive on.
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.
