F1® 2021 - F1® Esports Series Challengers Event 2 Recap

With the halfway point of the F1^® Esports Challengers rapidly approaching, it’s time for event three. As always, 16 drivers from each platform: Xbox, PlayStation, and PC will take to the iconic Austrian and British circuits as the six-event fight for a place with the esports Pros continues.

Last time out, the drivers on each platform raced on two of the newer F1® 2021 tracks – Imola and Portimão. Catch up on all the action below before event three kicks off later today

Xbox

The 16 talented Xbox Challengers were the first to pick up the mantle and start the week.  

In a story similar to the first event, Tom Manley set the pace for the rest of the field in Imola. Having put himself on pole position at the Italian circuit, he powered through the race and took an unprecedented third win in a row, the only driver in Challengers history to do so. Behind him, Roberts pulled off a brave last-lap move to steal third from Miko Hautajoki, which then became second as Sam McLean was penalised, and dropped to fourth.

Events unfolded in a seemingly similar way in Portimão, with Manley topping the timesheets in the one-shot qualifying. After leading the majority of the race, a record-breaking fourth win in a row appeared all but guaranteed until a last gasp overtake by Oates on the final lap. After a brave move in the closing corners, Zak Oates broke Manley’s historic race-winning streak to become the second victor in the Xbox Challengers.

PlayStation

On Wednesday, it was the PlayStation Challengers’ turn to take on the Italian and Portuguese circuits.

Both races demonstrated just how close the field of PS5 and PS4 drivers were, with da Rugna and Oggiano, who didn’t feature high in event one’s standings, grabbing the front row in qualifying at Imola. Heavy rain greeted the Challengers as they lined up to start the race, with a number of cars colliding in a chaotic opening lap. Starting from second, Oggiano sped past da Rugna for the lead. With the wet weather a significant influence on the race, it now became a question of strategy – when, if at all, would you need to change to intermediate tyres? The times were extremely close, but the intermediates narrowly won out as the tyre to be on. There was no better evidence for this than Ferri, who started in 15th and fought his way to an unbelievable fourth place. Oggiano took the win, with the man on pole coming home in second.

In Portimão, Noordijk took pole, though Suriano sped past him at the start. Sat in third place after the stops, Noordijk made an incredible overtake at the end of lap 10, taking both Nader and Suriano in one bold moveinto first place. This didn’t last, however, as the final lap saw Suriano secure the win in a daring move in the closing corners.

PC

The PC players closed out the week with the final stream of the week on Thursday.

Having not featured in the standings in event one, Ruben Vallejo attempted to get points on the board in the best way possible with pole in Imola, though a penalty for speeding in the pits on lap 6 meant that dream would have to wait for another race. The battle for the podium places stretched for the entirety of the race, with Kristof, Evans, and Tomek Poradizisz taking the chequered flag in the top three positions.

The final race of the week did not disappoint. Poradzisz put himself on pole in Portimão, never looking like his win was under threat. Pitor Stachulec and Samuel Bean dramatically battled for second place throughout the race, with both getting jumped with a brave move from Ulas Ozyildirim. The fearless Ozyildirim snatched second, while Stachulec took third.

Each driver qualified for the Challengers via month-long in-game events held in F1^® 2021 last year and are battling it out on their individual platforms over a 12-race mini-championship for just six places to the Pro Exhibition. The third event gets started tonight from 7 pm GMT with the Xbox side – make sure you’re watching live on Formula 1®’s Twitch and our Facebook. Stay tuned on Thursday and Friday from 7pm GMT as the PlayStation and PC Challengers take their turns on the Austrian and British circuits.        

F1 Esports Series is promoted and operated by Formula One Digital Media Limited. For Official Rules, see f1esports.com/rules.