Ferrari opt out of F1's eSports series

Ferrari demonstrated their total focus on success in Formula One this week when they opted out of joining in the sport's virtual eSports series for a second year.

A spokesperson for F1 said talks with the Italian outfit were ongoing and that Ferrari wanted to be involved, but a spokesman for the scuderia said they needed "more time to evaluate everything".

Qualifiers for the series, which has been updated following its inaugural competition last year, begin on April 13.

Last year's launch season, won by Briton Brendon Leigh, was considered a success by F1's new American owners Liberty Media, who identified esports as an opportunity to attract a younger generation to F1.

On the track Ferrari made a positive start to the new F1 season with Sebastian Vettel taking the opening Australian Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes's world champion Lewis Hamilton.