In the face of a suspended Formula One season, the drivers are left with little to do during the shutdown. So, to alleviate some of the boredom, some have resorted to online gaming for their adrenaline fix. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is one of them, and team boss Mattia Binotto has no qualms about it.

According to the Swiss, eSports is necessary to to preserve the fans’ passion for the sport. With the ongoing crisis, it is all the more important, and it will also keep Leclerc motivated to continue racing.

Last week, the Monegasque driver enjoyed a dominant victory at the F1 Virtual Grand Prix in Australia. He bested the likes of Alex Albon, George Russell and his younger brother, Arthur Leclerc in the process.

When he spoke to Sky Sports, Ferrari boss Binotto admitted, “Leclerc enjoyed… the Esports. I think for him, it was important to be back in the cockpit. He was missing the cockpit, he was missing the racing and the emotion.”

“I think it has been a great event, a lot of enthusiasm, feedback. I think people were positive, that was good, and it was positive that [Charles] started in pole, finished first. That’s what he was looking for, and he enjoyed the moment.”

What does Ferrari feel about the rise of eSports?

According to Binotto, online racing has now become an important entertainment source for fans and participants. In addition to that,  the video games helps bring everyone together in these difficult times.

Binotto insists that people are passionate about sport and eSports helps provide a brief distraction from the harsh reality. The Italian insisted that sport represents passion, enjoyment and social responsibility.

While Formula 1 on hold, and anxiously awaiting the coronavirus crisis to die down to controllable levels, Ferrari is keeping tabs on their drivers.

“I’m in contact with both drivers – maybe not on a daily basis but just making sure everything is going well with them,” he explained.

He assured that the duo are trying to keep themselves occupied during the crisis and are abiding  by their respective countries’ laws. However they are hard at work training, and keeping themselves fit, from a physical and mental aspect.