Formula 1 has invited teams to enter each of their drivers to take part in this weekend’s first Virtual Grand Prix.

The event will feature a 28-lap race on Codemasters F1 2019 using the Bahrain International Circuit . Speaking to RaceFans in an exclusive interview, F1’s head of digital business and ESports Julian Tan said “it’s a virtual GP so we obviously want to have as many real-life drivers participating as possible.”

Due to the current restrictions and safeguards in place, drivers will participate in the event remotely rather than travel to a single location. Some have already joined in other events over the past week, including regular simracers Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.

However F1 is keen to ensure drivers with less gaming experience are able to take part on Sunday as well. Competitors will not be allowed to edit their set-ups, car damage will be reduced, and aids such as traction control and anti-lock brakes will be permitted.

How many of them will join in? “it’s difficult to say right now,” says Tan.

“We’re still speaking to the teams and we’re pushing as much as we can we’re hopeful that we can get as many F1 drivers on the grid as possible.”

F1 is “still in discussions with [the teams]” and hasn’t yet ruled out any of the current drivers participating on Sunday.

But given the limited amount of time F1 has had to organise the event, other drivers are likely to be needed to fill in the spaces not taken by regular F1 races. “We will be speaking to influencers in the field, potentially young motor sports stars and other wider sports stars as well in terms of filling up that grid,” said Tan.

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Drivers confirmed for Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix

Team Number Driver Mercedes TBC Stoffel Vandoorne Mercedes TBC Esteban Gutierrez Ferrari TBC Robert Shwartzman Ferrari TBC Dino Beganovic Red Bull TBC Philip Eng Red Bull TBC Chris Hoy McLaren TBC Lando Norris McLaren TBC Nicolas Hamilton Renault TBC Guanyu Zhou Renault TBC Ian Poulter Alpha Tauri TBC Matthew Trivett (‘Sadokist’) Alpha Tauri TBC Luca Salvadori Racing Point TBC Nico Hulkenberg Racing Point TBC Jimmy Broadbent Alfa Romeo TBC Johnny Herbert Alfa Romeo TBC Aamir Thacker (‘Cyanide’) Haas TBC Anthony Davidson Haas TBC Paul Chaloner (‘Redeye’)< Williams 6 Nicholas Latifi Williams TBC Liam Payne

*AlphaTauri is Toro Rosso in F1 2019

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Update: F1 race drivers who will not take part

Sebastian Vettel

Charles Leclerc

Max Verstappen

Alexander Albon

Daniel Ricciardo

Esteban Ocon

Romain Grosjean

Kevin Magnussen

Daniil Kvyat

Pierre Gasly

Sergio Perez

Lance Stroll

AlphaTauri, Haas and Racing Point have confirmed their regular race drivers will not take part. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen also told Ziggosport in an interview he will not participate.

“I don’t play that game and I would have to adapt to it,” said Verstappen. “That would take a few days, and that doesn’t make much sense as I’m busy with other things, other games. I would have to switch too much, and that doesn’t work.”

“I would be running around the back, and I don’t enjoy that,” he added.

2020 F1 season