Williams drivers urged by team to watch their behaviour online

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Nicholas Latifi says Williams has warned its drivers to remain respectful when racing online and avoid the controversies that recently befell two NASCAR racers.

Both Latifi and teammate George Russell are regular participants in F1's official Virtual Grand Prix Series and in other Esports events which are proving extremely popular with both drivers and race fans during motorsport's forced shutdown.

But the online battles also led to a few contentious moments recently, with NASCAR'S Bubba Wallace walking away from an event out of frustration while his colleague Kyle Larson was severely punished for using a racial slur in the heat of the moment.

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In the first case, Wallace lost the support of a sponsor but Larson was promptly suspended indefinitely by NASCAR and fired by his team, Chip Ganassi Racing, for his inappropriate conduct.

Williams has therefore urged its drivers to always be on their best behaviour and never forget that they be alone in their sim room, but thousands of people are watching online.

"After the Larson incident, the team sent us a message to remind us how to behave during the online broadcasts," Latifi told La Presse.

"Personally, I know what is acceptable and what is not.

"I'm associated with a team and its sponsors who all have an image to maintain. I know I have to be careful, but that doesn’t stop me from being myself and having fun."

As he impatiently awaits for the 2020 season to kick off, Latifi admits that racing online is a great substitute in the interim, and one he may even return to when the real racing resumes.

"I never thought I would do it, but it was suggested to me after the first Virtual Grand Prix," he explained.

"I watched a few videos to understand how to create a channel [on Twitch], how to install the cameras, etc...

"It's a great way to get close and interact with people through the chat. It allows everyone to see us in a very different context than during race weekends.

"It’s a good way to keep my brain alert. The driving is not identical to reality, but the mental process is similar."

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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.