Renault's Zhou stars in chaotic Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix!

Renault junior Guanyu Zhou steered clear of the chaos and pandemonium to win the inaugural round of F1's Esports Virtual Grand Prix Series in Bahrain.

The event brought together a healthy field of pro racers and a group of guest gamers, including pro-golfer Ian Poulter.

Red Bull's Philipp Eng convincingly secured pole position in the 18-minute session, with Mercedes reserve Esteban Gutierrez sharing the front row.

Zhou lined up third alongside Williams rookie Nicholas Latifi, the Canadian finally making his F1 debut, at least in the virtual world.

Minutes before the start, there was drama for Lando Norris whose computer failed, preventing the McLaren charger - screaming at the top of his voice in despair - from joining the festivities at the outset.

F1 launches 'Virtual Grand Prix Series' to replace postponed races!

Norris who was set to launch his race from the back of the grid after a botched qualifying session, had spent the minutes leading up to the start phoning a few of his colleagues, requesting some "tips" given his lowly start.

Max Verstappen told the 20-year-old to turn off his computer and watch TV, while Carlos Sainz didn't recognize who was actually calling him.

Finally, Norris rang George Russell, insisting he wanted "to call the person with the most experience of starting on the back row of the grid last year"!

When the lights went out, Eng was off to a flying start while a clutter of cars in the midfield came together, with Nico Hulkenberg and Ferrari junior Dino Beganovic crashing into the barrier on the pit straight.

©Formula1

Up ahead, Alfa Romeo's Johnny Herbert, who had bolted off the grid in 16th position, invented his own rules, deciding that Turn 1 was but a superfluous kink in the road.

The Briton sliced straight through the grass to mischievously take the lead and a 10-second penalty in the process.

Eng eventually put himself in command but was overhauled by Zhou after three laps, the pair trading places up front thereafter.

However, their pitstops allowed Mercedes' Stoffel Vandoorne to lead the field, with Norris, whose car had started the race in automatic bot mode, in pursuit.

©Formula1

Because of Norris' technical setback, the race was shortened from 28 to 14 laps.

Zhou reclaimed what had been rightfully his after the final pit stops and never looked back while behind, Eng succumbed to a forceful move from Vandoorne, leaving the BMW Motorsport driver third at the checkered flag.

Norris, pro-gamer Jimmy Broadbent and Latifi rounded off the top six after a tumultuous albeit entertaining evening of sim racing.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.