The 2022-23 Le Mans Virtual Series, a joint venture between Motorsport Games Inc. (NASDAQ: MSGM) and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest kicks off this weekend with the 8 Hours of Bahrain on Saturday 17 September. Fans are invited to follow the action provided by the star names, the elite of real and virtual racing, in the biggest endurance Esports grid outside the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual.
The Le Mans Virtual Series is a global, elite Esports series made up of five rounds that bring together endurance and sim racing’s top teams to compete on some of the world’s most famous racetracks. International FIA-licensed real-world drivers are teamed up with elite Esports squads to take on endurance classics for a total prize fund of US$250,000, culminating in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual.
The five-round season will see names such as reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, IndyCar ace Romain Grosjean, Spa 24 Hours winner Daniel Juncadella and recently-signed Red Bull F1 sim driver Rudy van Buren competing with the many factory-supported Esports superstars that have become household names. Within the regulations, it should be noted that the pro drivers do not have to take part in every round.
A link to the TV preview show, giving all the details for the season ahead, can be found here and the entry list for the first round can be found here.
The Le Mans Virtual Series will again benefit from the knowledge and talents of top-flight broadcasters who will cover the whole series, plus the Le Mans Cup live. Using their expertise, in-depth understanding, and analytical skills, they will bring insights into what’s happening on track during the events - plus an explanation of rules, behind-the-scenes news, and interviews - to fans, competitors, and gamers across the world.
The broadcast team will be led by Martin Haven (rounds two and three) and Ben Constanduros (rounds one and four). The former is one of motorsport’s best-known commentators and lead voice for the FIA World Endurance Championship, the latter the face and voice of the World Rally Championship and many top Esports series.
As in previous years, they will be accompanied by Chris McCarthy – who has been making his mark in international commentaries for IndyCar and FIA F3 – and Lewis McGlade, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of sim racing and racers through his commentaries on series such as Formula Pro and Formula E Accelerate, as well as real-life GB3 and GB4 championships.
The competition among the 40-strong entries is likely to be as hotly contested as always in the Le Mans Prototype and GTE categories, racing together via the rFactor 2 platform on the same track and time. No fewer than 120 drivers will be battling it out for the first time on the virtual Bahrain International Circuit, a welcome addition to the Le Mans Virtual Series.
Changes in the regulations regarding the composition of drivers now include:
- The requirement for the FIA International license holder (i.e., the pro driver) within the nominated roster of four to be a minimum of Bronze-rated, and they only have to compete in a minimum of one of the regular LMVS events
- Teams must field no fewer than three drivers in each of the first four rounds, increasing to four for the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual to be held in January 2023
- All drivers on a team’s nominated roster of drivers must compete in at least one LMVS round or the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual
- Changes to the driver line-up after the official entry list for that round has been announced will result in a time penalty to be taken during the race. Special dispensation may be given on a case-by-case basis.
Here’s when you can follow the action, live and uninterrupted.
16 September 2022 (all times British Summer Time)
18:10–18:55: Le Mans Virtual Cup Round 1 race
19:00: Qualifying show live
19:10–19:30: Qualifying GTE
19:40–20:00: Qualifying LMP
17 September 2022
09:00–11:00 Warm-up
12:30: Le Mans Virtual Series show live
13:00: 8 Hours of Bahrain race
Le Mans Virtual Series 2022-23 calendar
17 September 2022: 8 Hours of Bahrain, Bahrain
8 October 8 2022: 4 Hours of Monza, Italy
5 November 2022: 6 Hours of Spa, Belgium
3 December 2022: 500 Miles of Sebring, USA
14/15 January 2023: 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual
