Lotus confirm launch of 2013 World Simulator GP Championship

Lotus F1 team launches a new sporting concept, WSC, where teams will compete against each other in a virtual world championship in order to aid development of their real world cars and race strategies. The overall winning driver will be granted a race seat in 2014.
Lotus F1 Team is proud to launch an epoch-making development in the history of Formula 1 with the inauguration of the World Simulator Grand Prix Championship.

Scheduled to take place on the Saturday morning of every real world Grand Prix weekend from this year’s Spanish Grand Prix onwards, teams will pitch themselves against each other in virtual world races.

Drivers will race from each team’s simulator facility, but link together in a secure network with the ensuing races streamed live from team websites. These virtual events will enable teams to better harness the power of their simulators and develop race strategies for that weekend’s real-world Grands Prix. Also, the overall WSC champion will be granted a race seat opportunity for 2014.

Social networks will play an active role in the concept, as the team getting the highest number of "likes" on Facebook during the event will score another 5 points.

As well as streaming around the world for viewers, delayed data will be available to Xbox users worldwide to enable them to race against the simulator drivers using the same data parameters.

Eric Boullier, Team Principal: “We have been working on this highly exciting development for a year now, and we’ve involved all other F1 teams as soon as we realised it was a viable concept. So far, 6 of them have confirmed their participation, which is already a massive success. As a team, we can evaluate race strategies, develop new parts and test new drivers. As a sport, making these races available online is an unprecedented step which takes us into new territories and rewards fans with a second race over a Grand Prix weekend. The level of graphics available on simulators now means that the moving images generated will be indiscernible from real life, and the races will be as enjoyable – if not more enjoyable – than the real thing. One day, perhaps all races will be run this way.”

Q&A: Justin Thyme, Head of Ultra Simulation

Following Lotus’ recent announcement regarding the 2013 World Simulator Grands Prix, we sat down with the Head of Ultra Simulation to get all the details and information on this exciting new venture.

Why Simulator Grands Prix?

Teams have been using simulators for a number of years, but in isolation. Due to the Resource Restriction Agreement, as a sport we have been scrutinising how best to harness and utilise all the resources at our disposal. Simulating in isolation does have its benefits, but there is far more to be derived from mutual simulation, and it’s far more enjoyable for fans too. Linking these highly sophisticated research and development tools enables far better validation of new parts and setups and the competitive element gives real world motivations for the simulator drivers.

What can be achieved in a Simulator Grand Prix which couldn’t be done in the real world?

We can try more risky strategies with car parts, race strategies and driver choice without the risks involved in trying these things in an actual Grand Prix. This enables us to push the boundaries and make greater leaps forwards than would otherwise be the case. Parts can be changed on the car in the middle of a race. For example, a new rear wing concept can be changed with the press of a button and the results of these change in a race scenario will be immediately apparent.

Without the constraints of reality, anything could be possible?

Indeed. You could include improbable scenarios such as good weather in Belgium, Sebastian Vettel obeying team orders or Kimi breaking his in car radio through over use.

How much fan participation could there be in the future?

Initially, fans with Xbox consoles will be able to link together to participate in time-delayed races using the data generated from each Simulator Grand Prix. Through this means, someone could show themselves to be a highly competent simulator driver, or even show their potential as a race driver. We’ll also be making 3D models of our car available to enable would-be designer who can showcase their own developments and concepts for our car, thus nurturing and encouraging the next generation of designers.

Is this an April Fools’ joke?

For sure.

Source: www.lotusf1team.com