Motorsport Week
  • Formula 1
    • 2025 Formula 1 Calendar
    • 2025 Formula 1 Standings
  • Formula E
    • 2025 Formula E Calendar
    • 2025 Formula E Standings
  • IndyCar
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WRC
    • 2025 WRC Standings
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
  • MotoGP
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
  • WEC
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • IMSA
    • 2025 IMSA Calendar
  • World SBK
  • More
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
    • Technical Insight
    • Galleries
    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
  • Formula 1
    • 2025 Formula 1 Calendar
    • 2025 Formula 1 Standings
  • Formula E
    • 2025 Formula E Calendar
    • 2025 Formula E Standings
  • IndyCar
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WRC
    • 2025 WRC Standings
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
  • MotoGP
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
  • WEC
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • IMSA
    • 2025 IMSA Calendar
  • World SBK
  • More
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
    • Technical Insight
    • Galleries
    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
Motorsport Week
Home Single Seater Formula 1

Zhou wins frenetic maiden Formula 1 Virtual GP encounter ahead of Vandoorne

by Kyle Francis
5 years ago
A A
0
Zhou wins frenetic maiden Formula 1 Virtual GP encounter ahead of Vandoorne
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Guanyu Zhou dominated the inaugural Virtual Grand Prix held at the Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain, taking the chequered flag 11.7 seconds clear of Mercedes Formula E racer Stoffel Vandoorne.

The official F1-organised event saw a peak of around half-a-million fans tune in across all platforms while real grand prix racing remains on hold due to the continued global Covid-19 pandemic.

The race was initially meant to be decided over 28 laps-50% of the real-life Bahrain GP distance- but technical difficulties saw this shortened to a 14 lapper instead.

Zhou-who qualified third behind BMW DTM man Philipp Eng and Mercedes F1 tester Esteban Gutierrez- managed to hold position off the start, passing the Mexican but losing out to three-time F1 race winner Johnny Herbert who launched into an early lead by cutting Turn 1.

RelatedPosts

Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL39. 04.07.2025. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 12, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England, Practice Day

Why Lando Norris can’t quantify reason for rediscovery of F1 form in 2025

1 hour ago
The Canadian GP was the sole low point in McLaren's 2025 season

Why McLaren now views Canada F1 clash as a ‘nice moment’

3 days ago

The Brit’s time at the front was short-lived though, losing out to Eng first and then Zhou by the end of the opening tour.

Zhou quickly set his sights on the lead though, finally making the move stick on Eng at Turn 12 just a few laps into the contest.

The pair remained close as the pit stop window arrived, Zhou electing to peel in early and bolt on a fresh set of medium compound tyres.

This proved to be a masterstroke, as when Eng emerged from his own stop a couple of laps later the F2 racers lead had swelled to over nine seconds.

Zhou continued to edge clear across the closing laps, while Eng now had to turn his attention to the chasing Vandoorne behind.

The ex-McLaren F1 driver had started the race on the medium tyre, stopping late onto the soft rubber for a late charge.

He quickly dispatched YouTube star Jimmy Broadbent for third before chasing down Eng’s advantage, eventually making a move- albeit a tough one- to take second at Turn 13 with just over a lap remaining.

He could nothing about the relentless Zhou though, who took the flag well clear of Vandoorne, with the frustrated Eng completing the podium positions for Red Bull in third.

Broadbent managed to survive a late clash with McLaren’s Lando Norris to clinch fourth, the pair coming together at the final corner.

Norris spun around the front of Broadbent’s Racing Point machine, but was able to recover and cross the line fifth ahead of Williams GP pilot Nicholas Latifi.

Superbike rider Luca Salvadori brought his Alpha Tauri steed home in seventh, while eSports presenter Paul Chaloner clinched eighth for Haas.

Ferrari Junior Academy driver Dino Beganovic sealed ninth, while Gutierrez bagged tenth in the end ahead of the second Racing Point of Nico Hulkenberg.

Herbert slipped back throughout the contest to eventually finish 13th ahead of Nicholas Hamilton, while 11-time cycling world champion Chirs Hoy closed out the race 16th ahead of One Direction singer Liam Payne.

Tags: EngLando NorrisNotTheBahGPVandoorneZhou Guanyu
Share244Tweet125Share

Related Posts

Arvid Lindblad earns praise from the Red Bull hierarchy after first F1 outing at Silverstone
Formula 1

How Arvid Lindblad impressed Red Bull in maiden F1 outing at British GP

22 minutes ago
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL39. 04.07.2025. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 12, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England, Practice Day
Formula 1

Why Lando Norris can’t quantify reason for rediscovery of F1 form in 2025

1 hour ago
Marc Marquez fights back to take German MotoGP Sprint victory
MotoGP

Marc Marquez fights back to take German MotoGP Sprint victory

1 hour ago
Load More

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Upcoming Races

#EventDate
13Belgian GP25-27 July
14Hungarian GP01-03 August
15Dutch GP29-31 August
16Italian GP05-07 September
17Azerbaijan GP19-21 September

Click here for the full 2025 F1 calendar

Drivers’  Standings

#DriverPts
Oscar Piastri234
Lando Norris226
Max Verstappen165
George Russell147
Charles Leclerc120
Lewis Hamilton103
Andrea Kimi Antonelli63
Alexander Albon44
Nico Hulkenberg37
Isack Hadjar28

Click here for full Drivers’ Standings

Latest Articles

Arvid Lindblad earns praise from the Red Bull hierarchy after first F1 outing at Silverstone
Formula 1

How Arvid Lindblad impressed Red Bull in maiden F1 outing at British GP

July 12, 2025
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL39. 04.07.2025. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 12, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England, Practice Day
Formula 1

Why Lando Norris can’t quantify reason for rediscovery of F1 form in 2025

July 12, 2025
Nico Hulkenberg finally claimed his maiden Formula 1 podium at Silverstone
Formula 1

Why Sauber is convinced upgrade push won’t compromise Audi 2026 F1 prospects

July 12, 2025

Follow Motorsport Week

Join our daily motorsport newsletter

* indicates required

Motorsport Week

© 2024 Motorsport Media Services Ltd

Other Links

  • About & Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Motorsport Monday

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Formula 1
    • Latest News
    • 2025 F1 Calendar
    • 2025 F1 Championship Standings
  • Formula E
    • Latest News
    • 2025 FE Calendar
    • 2025 FE Championship Standings
  • MotoGP
    • Latest News
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
  • WRC
    • Latest News
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
    • 2025 WRC Standings
  • IndyCar
    • Latest News
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WEC
    • Latest News
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • Live Updates
  • Other
    • IMSA
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
  • Galleries
  • About/Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© 2024 Motorsport Media Services Ltd