Broadcaster returns to esports during lockdown, with the first weekly installment TX’ing tonight.
BT Sport is televising new virtual motorsports esports tournament, The Isolation eRacing Series.
The 100+ pro drivers taking part include stars from Formula One (Lando Norris and Nicholas Latifi), Formula E (Oliver Rowland) and other motorsports.
Drivers will compete using virtual F3 cars, using the same state-of-the-art racing simulation technology that Formula One drivers use to hone their skills.
The racing takes part in virtual recreations of some of the world’s most iconic racing circuits, including Silverstone, Belgium’s Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the United States.
Each episode of BT Sport’s coverage of the eight-round competition includes three live heats and a final race. There will also be interviews with the drivers.
One of the most interesting elements of the broadcast is viewers will be given the chance to choose which circuits they see by voting on social media.
Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: “It’s fantastic to see the world of motorsport coming together to create an exciting and innovative new series at a time when viewers are missing their fix of live action. Lockdown is driving broadcast innovation apace across all of our sports and it is great to broadcast this new show to our motorsport fans alongside our live weekly MotoGP show on Sundays.”
One of the competition’s organisers, Chris Harfield of WH Sports, added: “We are delighted to have teamed up with a renowned broadcaster in BT Sport, who will help bring the tournament to the homes of millions across the country, keeping them entertained during lockdown.”
The weekly Isolation eRacing Series begins tonight (Monday, 11 May) at 6pm on BT Sport 1.