Confinement keeping Rosberg from joining Virtual GP series

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Nico Rosberg would love to join in on the Esports virtual F1 action, but the 2016 world championship is stuck at home in Ibiza with no access to a simulator.

Sunday evening will see the second round of F1's official Virtual Grand Prix series take place at Albert Park, with no less than six current F1 drivers and one former world champion - Jenson Button -set to join the fray.

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Rosberg is impressed with what he's seen so far from the world of sim racing as he told Sky Sports F1 on a video conference on Friday.

"I'm so gutted because I would love to join you guys in the Esports racing," Rosberg said, speaking in confinement from his home in Ibiza.

"But I can't because here in Spain it's literally a lockdown, you're not allowed to go outside of your home. So there's no way for me to get a steering wheel for my computer.

"You guys wouldn't even see me if I was sim racing," joked the German.

Rosberg's comments were apparently taken at face value by F1 which told Sky Sports on the spot that it would go out of its way to ship and install a simulator at the former Mercedes driver's home to allow him to join the Virtual Grand Prix Series grid in short order!

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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.