Last year the FIA Formula E Championship teamed up with virtual reality (VR) company Virtually Live, allowing fans to watch renderings of the races. That partnership has continued into the current racing season so that viewers can see several of the latest races.
Updating its Formula E VR app, Virtually Live allows fans to revisit the races from Marrakesh, Buenos Aires, Mexico City and Monaco, using HTC Vive or Oculus Rift.
At the recent Qatar Airways Paris ePrix, footage supplied by Virtually Live was used to highlight the collision between Jean-Eric Vergne and Nelson Piquet Jr. from the previous race in Monaco.
Ali Russell, Formula E’s Director of Media, said in a statement: “At Formula E we always want to be at the forefront of broadcasting technology, pushing the boundaries of how our sport is delivered to our fans. Virtually Live offers an amazing new way of viewing the races and this is just the beginning of our aims in this area. Live streaming through Facebook Live and Periscope also helps us to get the passion and excitement of the series to a new generation of potential electric racing fans.”
“It is exciting to push technology boundaries and innovate with Formula E. We are delighted to bring fans updated content alongside new features to our Virtually Live-Formula E App, including the ability to not just be able to stand anywhere on a race track, but also to be able to drive around it, and get a good perspective and understanding of the chicanes and straights in a unique city-centre race track. We have also provided fans without VR headsets the ability to enjoy a second screen experience on PC, giving fans new angles to watch the race that are beyond the limits of the TV cameras, as was shown in today’s world feed,” added Virtually Live’s Director of Motorsports Oliver Weingarten.
The Virtually Live app is available as a free download for both headsets. VRFocus will continue its coverage of Virtually Live, reporting back with the latest announcements.