Esports: When and where to watch the action this weekend

©AllStarSeries

Another weekend in confinement, another series of Esports events to look forward to.

With each passing week, more big names from various motorsport horizons are joining the virtual fray, and the momentum sees no signs of abating, which is great news as we're likely still months away from raising the curtain on the real world of racing.

Legends Trophy: Saturday's action will kick off with the third round of the Legends Trophy on iRacing. Once again the event will bring together an impressive collection of renowned veterans, like Emerson Fittipaldi, Dario Franchitti and Jenson Button who will be joined for the occasion by 1997 F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve. Drivers are set to battle on-board identical McLaren M23s, but at Sebring, an unfamiliar track for the bulk of the field.

When: Saturday at 5pm UK time (11pm EST - 6pm CET).

Venue: Sebring - rFactor2

The field: Among others, Jenson Button, Jacques Villeneuve, Emerson Fittipaldi, Rubens Barrichello, Dario Franchitti and Juan Pablo Montoya.

Channel: Youtube

Race of the World: This new six-race series was put together by a charitable group of F1 drivers led by Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris who will battle over three nights - Saturday, next Tuesday and Friday - to raise money for the World Health Organisation's COVID-19 fund. And if you're interested in donating, a Tiltify crowdfunder has been set here.

When: Saturday at 6pm UK time (12pm EST - 7pm CET).

Venue: TBC - F1 2019

The field: Among others, Charles Leclerc, Arthur Leclerc, Lando Norris, Alex Albon, George Russell, Nicholas Latifi and Antonio Giovinazzi.

Channel: Twitch

©AllStarSeries

All-Star Series: Also on Saturday, The Race will hold its fifth weekend of the All-Star Cup, but this event will be the first round of a proper three-race championship that will run until the end of April. It will include its usual blend of pro drivers and sim racers, and the championship's winner will enjoy a full day in an F1 simulator and direct $30,000 to a charity of their choice. The profile of this series and its marketing value have been raised by a sponsorship deal with RoKit phones and a TV deal with ESPN.

When: Saturday, at 7pm UK time (1pm EST - 8pm CET).

Venue: Sebring - rFactor2

The field: Among others, Charles Leclerc, Arthur Leclerc, Lando Norris, Alex Albon, George Russell, Nicholas Latifi and Antonio Giovinazzi.

Channel: Youtube

©IndyCar

IndyCar iRacing Challenge: For its third encounter, IndyCar returns to the Michigan Interational Speedway on Saturday - at least virtually - for the first time since 2007. The men to watch will be Sage Karama and Scott McLaughlin who beat the field in the first two races. But they will be contending with sim rookies Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti and special guest Dale Earnhardt Jr.

When: Saturday, at 7:30pm UK time (1:30pm EST - 8:30pm CET).

Venue: Michigan - iRacing

The field: Thirty-one drivers, including Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti, Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud, Will Power, Sebastien Bourdais, Tony Kanaan, Max Chilton and dale Earnhardt Jr.

Channel: NBCSN (US), Sky Sports F1 (UK)

©MotoGP

MotoGP: There will be no four-wheel racing on Sunday, but there will be a fast and furious virtual battle between MotoGP stars. Valentino Rossi will make his official sim debut, joining on the Red Bull Ring grid Marc Marquez, Fabio Quartararo and race one winner Alex Marquez.

When: Sunday at 2:00pm UK time (8:00am EST - 3:00pm CET).

Venue: Red Bull Ring

The field: A start-stidded line-up headed by the likes of Marc and Alex Marquez, Valentino Rossi, Maverick Vinales, Fabio Quartararo.

Channel: MotoGP website - Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

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.