Robert Kubica believes the current surge in Esports, while positive, will never replace the real Formula 1 championship.

As the world waits for the coronavirus pandemic to end, F1 drivers have been turning to their computers and consoles to stay sharp by competing in a range of events that have been organised.

F1 itself has also got in on the trend with the Virtual GP, pitting drivers against other sportsmen, celebrities and sim racers, albeit the professional Esport gamers have since been their own exhibition races.

“The virtual competitions are at a very high level and can fill the time waiting for the world to move again, but it will not replace reality,” Kubica was quoted as telling Poland's Przeglad Sportowy.

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“If it did, we would already have other world champions.

“The people who race simulator games are specialists who train for several hours a day for many years, so there is no chance to race with them.

“But racing in a seat at home has nothing to do with real driving. It’s fun but to say that online racing and Esports can replace a true Formula 1 championship is silly.”

Kubica himself is no stranger to simulators as a development driver at Alfa Romeo but he ruled out getting involved in the competitive side of sim racing. 

“No driver who enters a session cannot relax at the same time,” he commented.

“I may do it from time to time, but I hope to do it as little as possible because that would mean I have returned to real racing.”