New series, new drivers, new challenges.

Our esports team continues to shadow our real-world equivalent as McLaren Shadow returns to the virtual F1 world for the fourth-consecutive year!

After finishing sixth and breaking the 100-point barrier in 2019, we're determined to climb the standings in 2020.

Before we take to the sims, here's everything you need to know ahead of Round One.

The Headlines

Races	3
Where	Bahrain International Circuit, Hanoi Street Circuit, Shanghai International Circuit
When	14, 15 October 2020
Start time	19:30 - 21:00hrs BST
Game	F1 2020

James Baldwin, Driver

"Starting the season strong and on the front foot is crucial to get some momentum. Dani, Matthias and I, alongside the McLaren Shadow Academy drivers, have been pushing hard over recent weeks to ensure this is the case.

"I cannot wait to finally be sat there on the grid in F1 Esports!"

Matthias Cologon, Driver

"Here we are a few days before the first event! I'm super excited to make my debut in F1 Esports. We've worked really hard to be prepared for this with the whole McLaren Shadow and Academy team.

"Last season McLaren did a great job, it's up to us now this season and in this first event to do the best job possible and improve."

Dani Moreno, Driver

"Driving against the best grid in F1 Esports history is going to be really tough. I'm really looking forward to it because I know I can be up there with the best.

"Practicing with two of the best in the world in Matthias and James really helps us reach our limits, and I feel we are prepared for this first event."

Benjamin Daly, Brand Ambassador

"I’m extremely excited for the first event of the year, our drivers have been putting in an insane amount of practice to be ready for whatever the competition will throw at them. I suspect an advantage our drivers will have is that they’ve been keeping 'match fit' by competing in racing leagues with other top-tier esports drivers.

"Qualifying will be crucial, if the team can start the event well then I’m sure they can secure some solid points in the first round of races."

The Rules

Quali	Full length - Q1, Q2 & Q3
Laps	35% race distance
Set up?	Full car setup
Vehicle damage	On
Changes	No Park Ferme rules

 

The Analysis

Our Technology Partner, Splunk, has been giving McLaren Shadow an edge as we head into Round One. Harvesting data, Splunk provides the McLaren Shadow drivers with insight that will improve lap times, with full telemetry data detailing the exact moments around the track the drivers are full throttle, or are on the brakes as they head into a corner.

We can use that data to show how the upcoming virtual races in Bahrain, Vietnam and China will test the drivers in different ways.

• Full Throttle – Light Green 
• Throttle – Dark Green
• Brake – Dark Red
• Full Brake – Light Red
• Both Pedal – White
• No Pedal – Grey

Bahrain International Circuit: Lots of time at full throttle with several lengthy straights connected by medium- and low-speed sections, the 3.352-mile Bahrain International Circuit will provide a different test to drivers with the fewest corners at just 15 to navigate.

Hanoi Street Circuit: A track never raced at in the real world due to the outbreak of COVID-19, this will be the first time any driver takes to the streets of Hanoi. With three long straights at full throttle, and up to 11 braking zones depending on how brave the drivers are going into the Turn 16, this 3.48-mile, 23-corner circuit will be a real challenge for the drivers.

Shanghai International Circuit: This 3.38-mile circuit is well known to the drivers. The never-ending Turn One will see drivers feather the brakes and throttle to be as quick as possible through this tricky section, while the 1.2 km back straight provides the opportunity for cars to exceed 300 km/h.

The insights provided by Splunk help to establish optimal throttle and braking zones, which can improve lap times by tenths of a second, if not more. And those tenths can be the difference between qualifying on pole or on the back row.

With competition set to be tight, this level of information could be critical to the team’s success.

Head over to the stream at 19:30 BST to watch the LIVE head-to-head, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Twitch for further updates on our progress.

Join the team

McLaren Plus is our free-to-join fan loyalty programme, bringing McLaren fans closer to the team with the most inclusive, rewarding and open-to-all fan programmes in F1 & esports.

Sign up now, or current members can amend their details in the form below if necessary.