Monaco-born Formula 1 racing driver Charles Leclerc made it two from two after securing the victory in this morning’s Chinese Virtual Grand Prix.
It was an early morning for any Australians that were brave enough to set the alarm to watch the Chinese Virtual Grand Prix. Though if they did, they would have been somewhat comforted by consistencies that came through.
Lando Norris made it three from three of these Virtual Grand Prix’ where his computer didn’t allow him to participate, and it was the top three teams (Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull) that crossed the finish line in podium placings.
The event started with a qualifying period where Leclerc set the fastest time early in the session. British racing driver for Williams Formula 1 team George Russell secured the second-fastest time however was furious to receive a five-place grid penalty for illegal blocking.
After being unable to convince the Formula 1 officials to void the penalty, Red Bull Formula 1 drive Alex Albon moved into the front row alongside Leclerc.
It was then onto the 28-lap race around the Shanghai International Circuit. Russell’s luck didn’t get any better after falling from sixth to eighth on the leaderboard before completing one lap. Russell prompted an early tactical move with him deciding to pit on the fourth lap, which had the commentators scratching their heads.
Race leader Leclerc came into his mandatory pit stop a few laps later but was held up with congestion allowing Albon to take the lead.
Albon had the support of teammate, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, assisting him in holding Leclerc up. These tactics still weren’t enough to keep Leclerc behind, and he was able to retake the lead.
Rubbin' is racin'! ????
The moment @Charles_Leclerc stormed past @alex_albon, for what would turn out to be the lead of the race ????#F1Esports #VirtualGP pic.twitter.com/9tfXdDWD5z
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 19, 2020
The remaining Formula 1 drivers all secured top-ten finishes with Albon in second, Russell in fourth, Nicholas Latifi took ninth and newcomer Carlos Sainz in tenth. Antonio Giovinazzi mysteriously dropped out of the race midway through.
The next Virtual GP event will be determined by the fans with the postponed Dutch Grand Prix not included in the F1 2019 game.
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