Leclerc dominates the 2nd Virtual GP - What can we say on the event?
The Monegasque triumphs in the virtual edition of the Melbourne Grand Prix, while Russell is third and Giovinazzi fifth. But as the F1 drivers are conquering the top 10, viewers are lowering their numbers, instead of increasing. What could be the causes?
The second Virtual Grand Prix has taken place in the Albert Park complex, and the official and reserve/development F1 drivers have taken advantage of their experience for putting their cars in the top 10.
Hahaaa, 1st Win of the season ! 🏆
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) April 5, 2020
This was very fun, I hope you had fun watching me live wherever you are in the world, but take care of yourself and I hope we make this difficult times a bit happier. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6igWCL81p9
But what's lying aside of the competition?
Numbers not increasing: was Lando the catalyzer?
1.2 millions attended Sunday's Charles Leclerc lapping in front of everyone else: even adding the 210 thousands that saw the Pro eSports drivers race after the main event, we barely reach the 1.8 milion of the Bahrain event. A bored audience regarding each virtual race a copy of the prevoius one? The absence of Lando may have enhanced the loss of public? Just 300 thousands views were made for the Veloce eSports exihibition, featuring Norris and other drivers competing just before the start of the main event.
Plenty of 'offer'
A part from Veloce team live videos, almost every championship has set some initiatives to contrast the lack of action on rela tracks. This has probably led into an indigestion of content that has consumed the audience: too much, in too little span of time. Moreover, virtual GPs aren't a reproposition of the actual grid on simulators, but only a little number of drivers, alternating the wheel with academy youngsters; the insertion of some local Youtubers seems not having helped Liberty Media in liasing with the 'digital' slice of fans.
Ecstasy of lockdown's end?
With some countries seeming to reach (hopefully) the peak of contagion, people is getting ready to stick with the in-house constricted life and dreaming of getting back to normal stuff; even if it's yet early to say if lockdown will end after Easter week or not, a digital 'abuse' of these proportions has never happened before: easy to hazard that some people is 'sick' of this kind of plunge into fake reality. Adding to this, temperatures are increasing due to spring stretching her legs into Europe: with warmer and sunnier days, both in locked and freedom-restricted lands, even a tiny house garden is preferable to a virtual videogame session.
