Understanding Formula E's Race at Home Challenge

Get to grips with Formula E’s unique digital racing challenge in support of UNICEF…

With Formula E’s sixth season paused as a result of these unprecedented times, we’re craving competition here at ROKiT Venturi Racing.

Following the official unveiling of the Formula E Race at Home Challenge in support of UNICEF, however, we’re ready to continue battling against our fellow competitors as we take to the virtual track, raising funds for UNICEF to raise awareness of the global coronavirus appeal.

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For those new to the esports and virtual racing world, it’s only natural that you’ll have some questions and as such, we’ve tried to answer a few…

What is Esports?

Esports is a form of competition that takes online player vs. player matchmaking in video games to a whole different level – the spectacle reaching a bigger and more rewarding scale.

From FPS [First Person Shooters] to RPGs [Role-Playing Games], esports can take place in any genre but as we load up rFactor 2, racing is our go-to over the coming weeks.

What is ‘Battle Royale’?

Unlike most motor racing esports competitions, the Formula E Race at Home Challenge will adopt a unique format in ‘Race Royale’.

Based on the traditional Battle Royale format, it’s a genre within video games that uses elements of survival, exploration and scavenging, featuring large groups of 50-150 players who are battling it out.

In Battle Royales, you only get one life and as such the objective is simple – be the last player standing!

Traditionally in this format, there are no teams involved and no time limit but in Formula E’s Race Royale, things will be a little bit different although endurance will still be at the fore.

What is Formula E’s Race Royale? How does it work?

In Formula E’s Race at Home Challenge, motorsport meets the Battle Royale format to create a new high-pressure, high-stakes scenario in which drivers will have to scrap it out to reap rewards.

Race Royales will include all drivers at the beginning but on a lap-by-lap basis, the last-placed runner will be eliminated, breeding a flat-out but calculated approach to racing to ensure survival.

As only the top 10 remain, a one-lap shootout will follow, with points awarded after the chequered flag as per championship custom – including bonus points for fastest lap and pole position.

Double points will be awarded in the final race of the season.

How many rounds are there? 

The championship will consist of nine rounds over nine weeks – the first of which will act as a testbed where competitors are ineligible for points.

Two races will also take place at each round – one reserved for real-life Formula E drivers and the other for dedicated professional sim racers, influencers and familiar faces in the world of motorsport.

As the championship reaches its conclusion, the lead Formula E driver will become the inaugural Race at Home Challenge winner while the victorious sim-racer will secure real-life track time on a Formula E circuit.

Where can I watch?

Formula E’s Race at Home test event can be watched on the championship’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Twitch channels, as well as across Motorsport Network from 15:30 BST on April 18.