| Race details | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | January 7, 2017 | |
| Official name | 2017 Visa Vegas eRace | |
| Location | The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| Course | Virtual street circuit 3.14 mi (5.05 km) | |
| Distance | Qualifying Race 14 laps, 70.746 km (43.960 mi) Main Race 20 laps, 101.000 km (62.758 mi) | |
| Qualifying Race | ||
| Pole | ||
| Driver |  José María López (ARG)
|
Virgin |
| Podium | ||
| First |  António Félix da Costa (POR) |
Andretti |
| Second | José María López (ARG) |
Virgin |
| Third |  Robin Frijns (NED) |
Andretti |
| Main Race | ||
| Pole | ||
| Driver | Bono Huis (NED)
|
Dragon |
| Time | 1:28.661 | |
| Fastest Lap | ||
| Driver |  David Greco (ITA)
|
e.Dams-Renault |
| Time | 1:27.613 | |
| Podium | ||
| First | Bono Huis (NED) |
Dragon |
| Second |  Felix Rosenqvist (SWE) |
Mahindra |
| Third |  Olli Pahkala (FIN) |
Mahindra |
The 2017 Visa Vegas eRace was an eSports Formula E race held on January 7, 2017 at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of the Sports Business Innovation Summit at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show. This race, unlike others, did not count towards the 2016-17 season and was not held on a real track. Ten sim racers—competitors who typically enter simulation racing video games—raced against regular series drivers on a simulated course for a $1 million total prize fund, a record in eSports racing history. The race consisted of two races: a 14-lap qualifying race for the slowest 20 qualifiers to determine positions 11 to 20 for the 20-lap main race; and a 20-lap main race. An earlier qualifying session, divided into five groups of six cars, determined the first ten starting positions.
Bono Huis, a Dragon sim driver, led every session and won the event from pole position. António Félix da Costa, a professional driver, won the earlier qualifying race. Huis led for the majority of the race until the mandatory virtual pit stops to change into a second car, when Mahindra's Olli Pahkala took over. Pahkala finished first on the road after leading the final five laps, but he was penalised 12 seconds after it was discovered that a software bug allowed him to use FanBoost for longer than allowed. Felix Rosenqvist, the highest-placed professional driver for Mahindra, took second, while Pakhala's penalty dropped him to third.
The eRace received mixed reviews in the media. Those who criticised the race criticised its organisation because multiple technical issues caused a half-hour delay in the main event, and one driver was forced to withdraw from both races due to simulator issues. Positive reviewers expressed their belief that the event's consequences could lead to a professional eSports racing series and aid in the resolution of accessibility issues, as well as for others to use it as an alternative career to traditional motor racing. Following the eRace, some sim racers were adopted into the teams to which they were assigned, assisting their real-life development through car testing and advice.