The Rise of Esports and Its Influence on Formula 1

Introduction

The sports landscape will continue to evolve in the coming decades with the integration of advanced AI technologies, data analysis, and marketing. This is especially the case in Formula 1, where the difference between physical prowess and mechanical precision can be hard to distinguish for the viewer. Numerous books, articles, and research papers have dissected F1’s rapid rise in popularity. Commonly cited reasons include Netflix series Drive to Survive, the crafted construction and marketing of driver personalities, and insider access to the sport through social media. This article showcases an alternative explanation for the growing popularity of Formula 1, describing how the rise of esports has positioned Formula 1 as the sport of the future.

What is Esports?

In their article What is eSports and Why Do People Watch It?, Professors Juho Hamari and Max Sjöblom define esports as “competitive (pro and amateur) video gaming that is often coordinated by different leagues, ladders and tournaments, and where players customarily belong to teams or other “sporting” organizations which are sponsored by various business organizations.” The specific distinction between esports and “traditional” sports relies on the idea that traditional sports possess outcome-defining activities that occur entirely in the real world, albeit with the assistance of electronic technologies at times. Esports, on the contrary, are made up of outcome-defining activities that occur in a virtual world.

The History and Rise of Esports

Esports exemplifies how the technological revolution of the twenty-first century has influenced the sports landscape. In 1997, Red Annihilation became one of the first esports events to be held at a national level in the United States encouraging future esports events. This legitimized esports as a global enterprise and set the stage for future endeavors. In sim racing, Gran Turismo was launched in 1997 and remains the best-selling franchise under Playstation to date.

Esports boomed in the early 2010s thanks to the rapid development of technology and technological access. Twitch, a live streaming platform, was created in 2011. Through Twitch, audiences could watch tournaments and practice sessions in real-time for entertainment and skill development, while streamers could monetize and scale their content.

By the 2010s, sim racing was no longer a niche interest. Gran Turismo 5 was launched at the start of the decade with noteworthy advancements in graphics and design. Games such as rFactor, released in 2005, also boasted improved simulations. Other sim racing games designed for precise vehicle physics and more realistic driving such as iRacing (2011) and Assetto Corsa (2013) were also developed.

Fortnite (2017) and other Battle Royale games spurred the rapid development of esports. Organizations like the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) and World Esports Association (WESA) emerged in 2016, followed by national bodies like the U.S. eSports Federation (2018). In the sim racing world, the FIA introduced the World Rally Championship esports program (2016). The launch of the F1 Esports followed suit, resulting in the professionalization of athletes, prize money, and full-time wages. By this stage, racing games such as rFactor 2, iRacing, and Assetto Corsa were more widely accessible.

COVID boosted esports participation and viewership, replacing traditional sports as the “new normal.” Different types of human connection were achieved through increased online interaction rather than real world contact. The International Olympic Committee, the Asian Games, and SEA Games each acknowledged esports as a legitimate entity.

The Appeal of Sim Racing

Returning to What is eSports and why do people watch it?, Hamari and Sjöblom concluded that escapism from regular routines is positively correlated with esports watching frequency. Entering into a virtual space provides viewers with an opportunity to tune out daily stressors and immerse themselves in an engaging environment. Critics of esports have posited that escapism is less about appeal and more about addiction. Viewers may be drawn in by the dopamine rush, resulting in negative consequences such as anxiety, dissociation, or a false sense of security.

According to Hamari and Sjöblom, novelty is another appealing aspect of esports viewing. The newness of different technologies, upgrade packages, or the latest tracks makes sim racing specifically an enticing alternative to participating in traditional sports. Sim racing provides a legitimate way to develop racing skills, blending real-world strategies with the ability to isolate variables and manufacture specific conditions. Esports is also easier to understand and replicate than traditional sports. As the world becomes more reliant on technology, the number of esports players could parallel that of regular sports.

Experiencing virtual places: insights on the geographies of sim racing by Daniel Paiva describes gaming platforms as “third spaces.” Similar to parks, coffee shops, or libraries, sim racing can serve as a nexus for social interaction by connecting like-minded people. Players develop a relationship to the virtual spaces within the game, often experiencing feelings of comfort or familiarity. Acquiring knowledge of safe spaces and new friends, much like traditional sports, is also positively correlated with esports consumption.

How the Appeal of Esports Reflects the Rise of Formula 1

Esports and Formula 1 Commonalities

Just as esports creates virtual containers for the viewer, Formula 1 allows insider access to data metrics, driver-to-engineer communication, and an onboard camera that functions similarly to a pair of eyes within a video game universe. Each race is an opportunity for fans to escape into a tangible, virtual world. Much like with esports, Formula 1 provides the opportunity for fans to find new “third spaces.” Choices for the race engineers and drivers are presented and analyzed by the commentators, allowing even those with limited knowledge to have an opinion. These choices can be discussed online, promoting discourse and an opportunity to acquire new knowledge about the sport. Formula 1 driving tactics can even be tested without any level of physical strain through sim racing.

Additionally, the incorporation of innovative technologies and the individual car development between races provides viewers with constant novelty. Much like video games, where players can purchase upgrades, test out new packages, or move to an updated version, there is always something different from race to race. Formula 1 maximizes this novelty by implementing new elements to the calendar such as Sprint weekends, new locations such as Jeddah or Las Vegas, and designing new car regulations every few years. This way, even the most devoted fans will have something new to discuss on any given weekend.

Sim Racing as Practice for Formula 1

In order to train for Formula 1 races drivers practice on a driver-in-loop (DiL) simulator. DiL simulators provide a highly realistic virtual environment for the drivers to understand the nuances of the track, practice racing strategies, and test new elements of the car. Although DiL simulators are more realistic than sim racing in esports, new technologies are becoming more accessible. New versions of sim racing games could be developed to mirror technology such as computational fluid dynamics, weather changes, and AI generated knowledge about the tracks, used in DiL simulators.

Currently, the crossover between esports athletes and Formula 1 drivers is limited. Although many F1 drivers have a talent for sim racing, the physical, mental, and technical requirements remain distinct. There is a physical danger involved with Formula 1 that cannot be replicated on a screen. In the future, these differences could decrease.

Conclusion

Ultimately, sports are a form of entertainment. Thus, it is only natural that sports would adapt to match modern viewing preferences. Formula 1 is the intersection of traditional sports and the virtual world. With real life athletes fighting for real world outcomes, Formula 1 maintains the appeal of individual athleticism and the authenticity of traditional sports. Simultaneously, Formula 1 is a sport of the future, incorporating artificial intelligence, human expertise, and cutting-edge marketing. Society craves entertainment that mirrors the unpredictability of today’s world. Formula 1’s evolution alongside esports offers both a virtual escape and a glimpse into the future of sports in an era of digital immersion.