At least virtually, games like F1 2019, Forza, and Gran Turismo have leveled the playing field in a way that other sports-based video games can't. While the professionals and hardcore gamers often use complex racing seat setups complete with a steering wheel and pedals, the causal gamer can pick up a controller and run on the same track as the pros. The Bahrain Virtual Grand Prix took place in the game F1 2019, which can be played on a PC, PlayStation 4, or Xbox One. Twitch allows fans to watch professional drivers compete on a console game that viewers may already own or can buy for $60.
'It's exciting to see so many sports fans discovering Twitch for the first time.' 'We've seen an influx of new viewers-each time someone like Lando or another athlete or team streams,' says Jane Weedon, Twitch's head of new verticals. He streamed a game with 107,000 live viewers, a personal best and a sign that fans are still looking for an F1 fix. He already had a strong following on the platform but has seen a 66 percent uptick in subscribers to his account during the first few weeks of the pandemic. Lando Norris, a McLaren driver in F1, is one such Twitch regular.
