F2 Virtual Racing pace is rewarded with a podium
“JM took up his slot on the eighth row of the grid and had gained a place when he crossed the line after a frantic encounter.”
Charouz Racing System scored a podium as it got its FIA Formula 2 Championship Virtual Racing campaign underway at Sakhir in Bahrain this afternoon (3 May).
With real racing activities currently suspended, F2 organisers have put together a sim racing programme using the F2 car that is featured on the 2019 F1 eSports game. The grid is made up of F2 and F3 driver past and present.
Louis Delétraz took the virtual wheel of his car from his home in Switzerland while Juan Manuel Correa made a very welcome return to Charouz colours as he joined the grid from Miami.
With a tense one-lap qualifying session deciding the grid for the opening 16-lap Feature Race, both drivers found it hard to break into the top-10. Louis lined up P16 while JM was just two places behind.
When the start lights were extinguished, Louis made up a number of places as many of the drivers ahead tangled. He continued to make good progress as he reached the finish line in P6.
JM, who is continuing his impressive recovery from serious leg injuries, has needed to learn how to operate the throttle and brake with the same left foot during sim races. He also made progress up the order during the Feature battle. He crossed the line in P15.
With the finishing order setting the reverse grid for the following five-lap Sprint Race, JM took up his slot on the eighth row of the grid and had gained a place when he crossed the line after a frantic encounter.
Starting from P3, Louis made a fast start and out-muscled Callum Ilott to move into P2. He then set about chasing down leader Norman Nato, but also had to be aware of Arthur Leclerc who was swarming the back of his car.
With a lap to go, Nato was handed a two-second time penalty for exceeding track limits, which meant the win would be a straight fight between Louis and Leclerc.
Unfortunately, Leclerc got around Louis at Turn 1 and managed to hold onto the lead for the remainder of the lap. Louis was classified an impressive P2.
The second round of the F2 Virtual Racing series will be held next Sunday (10 May) at Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona.
“JM took up his slot on the eighth row of the grid and had gained a place when he crossed the line after a frantic encounter.”
