Russell Wins 6 Consecutive Victories In Virtual Formula 1 Racing

Screenshot: George Russell competing in the virtual Brazilian Grand Prix (Youtube/F1)

JAKARTA - Racer William George Russell won six consecutive victories in the virtual Formula 1 series on Sunday as Haas won the team title beating Ferrari.

The 22-year-old British racer won the e-sports version of the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos Circuit after starting from P14. However, he benefited from successive crash incidents at the first corner of the opening lap.

Russell used the soft tires rather than the medium used by most of the participants in the 36 laps race. However, Russell was able to take advantage of the softer tire compound to finish first.

Russell's previous four victories were in a row at last year's virtual race, which was held to fill an empty competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, the mini-tournament consists of three series and is attended by professional gamers as well as actual riders using the Formula 1 video game platform with a prize of USD 100,000 which will be donated by the winning teams, as Antara reported from Reuters.

Despite skipping the first series this year, Russell won the second series at the Silverstone Circuit last week.

Haas, represented by two Brazilian riders Enzo and Pietro, both grandchildren of two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi, was entitled to become the championship team and won 20,000 US dollars donated to the Grand Prix Trust.

Enzo, winner of the first race in Russell's absence, became the overall champion of the mini virtual tournament.

Former Red Bull rider Alexander Albon, now on duty as a reserve rider, finished in third place behind Enzo Fittipaldi.

The virtual Pro Series Formula 1 Championship will start later this year.