As part of Formula E's fundraising partnership with UNICEF, the all-electric street racing series has jumped into the virtual world with the ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge - an esports competition featuring all the teams and drivers from the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, as well as a selection of top gamers.
The ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge will feature two separate grids running in parallel, one comprised of drivers from the ABB FIA Formula E Championship and the other one filled by some of the fastest gamers and influencers.
Drivers and gamers will compete using rFactor 2 simulator software in a number of online events taking place over a nine-week period from the safety of their own homes. Races will be staged each Saturday, running up to the Grand Final on June 7.
The world of gaming will allow the entire Formula E community of teams, manufacturers, partners, drivers and fans to be a part of live online races while raising funds for UNICEF to keep children around the world healthy, safe and learning during the coronavirus crisis.
All 24 drivers from the ABB FIA Formula E Championship are jumping into the virtual world in a competitive eight round tournament. Which one of the stars from the all-electric racing series will come out on top? Make sure to get your picks in the Allianz E-Predictor to win exclusive prizes.
The Challenge grid sees some of the world's fastest sim racing going up against real-world drivers and influencers. The winning gamer will make the transition from the gaming world to secure real-life track time in the Gen2 car on a Formula E circuit during a race weekend.
The Race at Home Challenge uses a Race Royale format, raising the stakes for the drivers where the last-placed driver at the end of each lap is eliminated. The process of elimination will continue until only 12 drivers remain, leaving a two-lap sprint to the finish line to decide the points-scoring positions.
The ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge will take place every Saturday until the Grand Final on the 7 June. All the race action will be live across Formula E's social media channels from 15:30 BST.
Gamers will need to qualify ahead of each round and set a time in rFactor2. The eight quickest drivers from the open qualifiers, which runs from Monday to Thursday every week, will progress to the main event and be joined by a selection of influencers and familiar faces from the world of motorsport.
Gamers will need to qualify ahead of each round and set a time in rFactor2. The eight quickest drivers from the open qualifiers, which runs from Monday to Thursday every week, will progress to the main event and be joined by a selection of influencers and familiar faces from the world of motorsport.
Donations from the competition will be directed by UNICEF to comprehensive emergency projects around the world, such as those contributing to the supply of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers and setting up home learning schemes for children currently out of school.