[2020] Why do I have follower??

Maybe not the smartest question there is, but I just found out, that my trackmania seems to have 24!!! seeminly very masochistic followers, because I am really not good at this game... Am I right, suggesting that there reallly 24 people watching me play from time to time ( the idea is actually some kind of freaking me out)? Otherwise the game ist just given me 24 people to race against so I just dont feel neglected...
Thanks in advance for all answers