Lando Norris broke records on streaming platform Twitch as he took part in a virtual Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The real Australian event, along with two other races in the 2020 Formula 1 season, have been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak across the globe.
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F1 is not alone in being affected, however, with dozens of other sporting events being abandoned while the world tries to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Norris, who has more than 200,000 Twitch followers, broadcasted his battle in ‘Not the AUS GP’, which was hosted by Veloce Esports.
The live stream proved a huge hit with fans, getting over 70,000 viewers and smashing F1’s all-time concurrent record.
On the broadcast, he said: “I’m so happy right now! I’m shivering, kind of nuts. Am I the highest viewed on Twitch right now?
“I never thought I’d get here. Feels like a lot of support for me, thank you very much.”
McLaren driver Norris finished sixth in the virtual race that also featured Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and former F1 drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Esteban Gutierrez.
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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took part in a separate ‘All-star Esports battle’ with other real racing drivers and professional gamers.
He finished 11th in a 12-lap race around a virtual version of the Nürburgring.
Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport
