JamHam took his fifth victory of the season around the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez to reaffirm his grasp on the elite title. Ham finished second, which was enough to take it to Brazil, but with the gap now standing at 46 points the Renault driver must win next week to keep the fight alive. Gho3t C0LT came home in P3 to take a much deserved first podium of the season.
Bezzas finished in P4 after another strong performance for the Racing Point driver. MeRkz finished in P5 after a solid Sunday drive. Para took his best result since retaking a full time seat to finish 6th and Beast was back in the points in P7. Southerner got his best result so far in elite to bring his Ferrari home 8th and the 5-stopping V2 got a couple of pints for his persistence in 9th. Smoke rounded out the points in 10th.
Tommy came home 11th after his quali ban and Nath was unlucky to end up 12th on debut albeit with a pole position and fastest lap to his name.
Crispy, Zy, Rando and Raceroller all failed to make the chequered flag.
So the championship looks quite simple now. Ham needs to win to take it to Abu Dhabi and even if he were to do so Jam could clinch the crown in Brazil with a top 6 finish.
Qualifying
Pole Lap: 01.13.053
1. Nnath x
2. HamJam2002
3. Xx JamHam xX
4. Crispy2001
5. gho3t COLT
6. bezzas1
7. ZyDRAD
8. UKBeastAssassin
9. raceroller22
10. V2 x Combat
11. SLR Rando
12. LP Smoke
13. SLR Southerner
14. MeRkz47
15. PaRa Quickz
16. TommyReal
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.14.675 Nnath x
1. Xx JamHam xX
2. HamJam2002
3. gho3t COLT
4. bezzas1
5. MeRkz47
6. PaRa Quickz
7. UKBeastAssassin
8. SLR Southerner
9. V2 x Combat
10. LP Smoke
11. TommyReal
12. Nnath x
13. SLR Rando (DNF)
14. Crispy2001 (DNF)
15. ZyDRAD (DNF)
16. raceroller22 (DNF)
SLR Rando - intentionally retiring on track
15 sec 3LP - Qualifying ban due to DNF
As stewards we believe that despite the driver in question claims he had no intentions of retiring on track through the DNF, he has in fact done so. Through watching the clip the driver has planted the throttle coming off the track and continued to do so going through the grass. As he is heading to the wall he makes no effort to slow the car an in this we believe it was intentional.
The clip sent in from SLR Southerner was withdrawn due to the new understanding of the glitch cause through the restarts of the games no longer wishes it to be looked at.
The Division 1 grid land in Mexico and the fate of the championship could be decided in Mexico City, as BrindyBoi67 holds a healthy lead over Riggsey x in the fight for champion, and should the former beat the latter on track, it would all be over, but 36 laps of the Mexico circuit stood in the way of a potential crowning
Qualifying started cautiously as drivers pondered the setups and strategies for the race, as the qualifying would be basked in the Mexican sunshine, but for race day, the grid would have heavy rain for the duration, so nailing set up and car response was crucial to the race, as drivers had to gear up for the monsoon on the race day. The session would see SLR Semm break his qualifying duck and secure pole position for the first time in division 1 since his promotion, setting a 1:13.233, with championship leader Brindyboi67 on the front row alongside, only +0.007s slower, and SLR Dylan, +0.056 behind in P3. A very close affair between the top 3 saw them set early qualifying pace, and championship challenger Riggsey x, only managing to set a time good enough for P6.
The rain would set in and full wet tyres would be the appropriate set of boots for everyone as the track had loads of standing water, and spray would be thick and challenging for drivers in the race. The start would see BrindyBoi67 and Riggsey x get poor launches off the start and lost positions, but the former would have some fighting spirit as the Williams driver had early battles with Cechthisout, who was looking quick off the initial launch and starting laps, soon retaking P3. Riggsey would be as low as P9 after lap 2, having it all to do early on. Padresilvabak29, who was making his debut this race, had got to grips with his new McLaren, up 8 on the first 2 laps after starting at the back.
The race would be thrown into an early caution and the full safety car would make its appearance following an incident. SLR McKeon went off through sector 2 on lap 3 and re-joined the track, leading into a half spin on track, and Bennett628, with little time to react, steamed into the side of the stricken Haas, retiring him immediately. The safety car also saw Padresilvabak29 half spin and Riggsey took the opportunity to slip through, and with the spray being blinding, made contact, resulting in 5s penalties for both, hindering the championship charge.
The restart saw SLR Dylan go for the lead as SLR Semm was unable to shake off the Mercedes, but with close combat and contact, gave Brindyboi67 damage as he tapped the rear of the Mercedes, who had tapped the McLaren. Semm would continue leading the way as SLR Dylan was spinning to the back, and Brindyboi67 carrying a damaged car in the torrential conditions. Riggsey x would soon close in on Cechthisout and find his way past the Ferrari driver, which would shortly see the two title protagonists on track, battling it out as the first stint would come to its eventual close.
Riggsey x would trigger the undercut as drivers began taking pitstops onto fresh wets as there was no signs of the rain letting up, but the undercut attempt slotted the Renault driver into combative traffic as TIR Jason and Lewisod were battling for P6. SLR Semm crawled through the stadium section with a puncture and Brindyboi67 was in to fix repairs, which would in turn, give ARL PReDaToRZz the lead of this race. The subsequent pitstops would see Riggsey x complete the undercut, as both rivals shared the same piece of tarmac, albeit in the opposite order.
Lewisod would complete his pitstop, but not get to complete a lap on fresh wets as he would end up in the wall, triggering the second safety car of the race. Sotierclock110 went long and decided to go on the intermediates as the dry line began to form, however, to see if it was the right tyres, remained to be seen. SLR Semm would lead under the safety car, with Riggsey x and BrindyBoi67 close behind, with it all on the line.
The restart would see Sotierclock110 spin on the final corner, suggesting that intermediates weren’t quite ready, and data from TIR Jason would support that as he would begin to slowly drop off from SLR Liam and SLR McKeon.
The sprint to the finish would heat up as the final 10 laps would set in and Riggsey x knew he had to go for it, so began pushing for SLR Semm, and with a forceful move, also with resilient defending from SLR Semm, the Renault driver would make his way past the race leader on lap 25 at turn 5 and had to stretch the lead as time penalties hindered chances for a strong result. The move also inspired Brindyboi67 to go for it, despite being able to play it safe, the Williams driver wanted to follow his rival through, but with the move being in the stadium sector room was sparse as SLR Semm closed the door, which would put Brindy into a half spin, letting ARL PReDaToRZz through into the podium places.
With the Renault driver out in front, the gap needed to be healthy considering Riggsey x had registered penalties and SLR Semm and ARL PReDaToRZz had none, and Brindyboi67 also had penalties. The gap out in front would stablise at 1.2-1.5s, but with the Renault driver needing to bridge a gap, it was all or nothing.
Brindyboi67 found himself trying every which way to get past ARL PReDaToRZz for the podium, but the Ferrari driver was driving majestically on the wet track, and able to maximise his exits as well as build small gaps to prevent a run into turns 1 and 4. The battle between Riggsey x and SLR Semm became a battle against the stopwatch as the McLaren driver would also pick up a penalty, and with the gap being stretched to the 3s mark, it really was touch and go for the race win, Renault or McLaren.
The Williams driver tried endlessly to pass the Ferrari, and as frustration looked to set in, Brindyboi67 made a mistake in s2, and with a hard thud into the wall, may have counted the lucky chickens it was only a bruise and no a broken wheel. This mistake would put him in SLR McKeon’s window, who was running with no penalties, and in front, the gap began stagnating just over 3s, it was close
With final pushes coming from both drivers leading, the gape was 3s as they started the final lap, and both were ruthless in their driving, squeezing everything out their cars. The gap was settled on the cusp, but as Riggsey x pushed in the first sectors, it was SLR Semm to claim the win, and his first since Spain, in challenging circumstances and in a race against the race clock rather than on track, with only 0.113s separating the two following penalty applications. ARL PReDaToRZz came home to claim P3, his first podium of the season, and a Driver of the Day nomination following his skilful drive in the wet, and starting 11th, made 8places to take the final podium slot alongside SLR Semm and Riggsey x. Brindyboi67 would finish P5 in the end, narrowly losing out to SLR McKeon, and with this information, it is important to note that, while the face of these results show that the title fight carries on over to Brazil in a week’s time, stewarding decisions are being made behind the scenes following this race and subsequent decisions could result in the championship being decided, with the decisions being outlined within the report on the website!
Qualifying
Pole Lap: 01.13.233
1. SLR Semm
2. BrindyBoi67
3. SLR Dylan
4. CechThisOut
5. bennett628
6. Riggsey x
7. SLR McKeon
8. TIR Jason
9. SotierClock110
10. SLR Liamm
11. PadreSilvabak29
12. ARL PReDaToRZz
13. Lewisod
14. Elite x Riskz
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.28.089 TIR Jason
1. SLR Semm
2. Riggsey x
3. ARL Predatorzz
4. SLR McKoen
5. BrindyBoi67
6. Elite x Riskz
7. SLR Liamm
8. TIR Jason +5 sec
9. SotierClock110
10. CechThisOut
11. Lewisod (DNF)
12. SLR Dylan (DNF)
13. PadreSilvabak29 (DNF)
14. bennett628 (DNF)
SLR McKeon vs Riggs - lap 3 - spinning another car
Riggs himself doesn’t do anything wrong, and therefore should not been penalised as the stewards believe what occurs is more a result of a misjudgment from mckeon in tricky conditions, Riggs has the line and should not be expected to swerve violently to avoid a car re joining the track after spinning
No further action
TIR Jason dangerous rejoin causing damage - lap 18
Jason does dangerously rejoin the track putting other drivers at risk
5 seconds and 1 LP
In Division Two this week we had zero incidents for what I believe is the first time this season! Pole was taken by Xx Allen xX7679, who has shown a really strong finish to this season for Racing Point. Championship Leader SLR FemPest was alongside, with SLR Leah, OwenHowell36 and Darren I 22 completing the Top 5.
Off the start the pole sitter would continue in the lead, but by the end of the first lap it was surprisingly OwenHowell36 in P2, with SLR Leah in P3 and Darren I 22 in P4. SLR FemPest fell as low as P9 off the start on his mediums!
It was a rather exciting race and it really came down as to just who was brave enough to make moves early enough so that they didn’t get held up in the pit stop overlays, this ultimately cost OwenHowell36 in his battle for the win, and helped the likes of Xx Allen xX7679 and Darren I 22 get away and bridge a gap.
Mexico is often a weird track for strategies, with literally am every combination being viable. It seemed the best strategy would be a 2-stop from softs to mediums to softs, however there was all sorts of different strategies!
Darren I 22 took a Soft-Soft-Medium to victory by a very slender margin over Xx Allen xX7679 who gambled early, electing to go for a Soft-Medium-Medium. SLR FemPest would take P3 on his Medium-Soft-Soft, whilst DRT EVVO managed to rise up the field with a 1-stop, managing P4!
As SLR FemPest took P3. This means only one thing, that he is officially the New Division Two champion! Congratulations to SLR FemPest who has been consistent and dominant all season long!
Qualifying
Pole Time: 1:13.991
1. Xx Allen xX7679
2. SLR FemPest
3. SLR Leah
4. OwenHowell36
5. Darren I 22
6. TIR Haze
7. Badders2576
8. ZachIsBeast25
9. dRaSt1k bLazE
10. SSR Halo
11. J Lee Menz
12. SLR Hicklin
13. DRT EVVO
14. Alpeh
15. SLR Morgan
16. SLR Teddy (QB)
17. SLR bunny (DSQ)
Race
Fastest Lap: 1:16.230 - OwenHowell36
1. Darren I 22
2. Xx Allen xX7679
3. SLR FemPest
4. DRT EVVO
5. OwenHowell36 (FL)
6. SLR Teddy
7. TIR Haze
8. SLR Leah
9. ZachIsBeast25
10. Badders2576
11. dRaSt1k bLazE
12. SSR Halo
13. J Lee Menz
14. SLR Hicklin
15. SLR bunny
16. SLR Morgan (DSC)
17. Alpeh (DNF)
Div 2 Stewards vs Div 2 - giving us a week off
Outcome: an overjoyed set of stewards!
Reason: you’ve given us Bank Holiday Monday off
Onto the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for race 20 in division 3 and it was Lofty4794 that was the quickest taking
pole position with SLR Dodgy taking P2. Reserve driver JackMullCGFC put his car on P3 while SLR Gareth made up the
second row in P4. The lights went out and the race got underway with the long drag race down to T1 as SLR Dodgy
challenged Lofty4794 for P1 but opted out of a move into T2 while SLR Hyperz made up 4 places into P4 coming out
of T3 in a good start. The good start however was to be taken away as SLR Hyperz then dropped back to P9 in S2 of
lap 1. By lap 3 SLR Dolph1n was starting to ease into the race and had made his way up into P4 with a pass on
UnrealSalmon590 at T1. Onto lap 6 and JackMullCGFC made a pass on SLR Dodgy on the main straight into P2 as
Lofty4794 was opening a gap of over 3 seconds. SLR Hyperz after battling with SLR Charlie1 for several laps then
took P7 into S2. Lap 7 then brought the first casualty as SLR Russell crashed out in S2 ending his race as he was DNF.
Lap 8 then brought the SC out as UnrealSalmon590 crashed out in S2 with terminal damage with the car ending up in
the middle of the circuit as SLR Stevooo almost crashed into the damaged car. The SC then brought the top 8 drivers
into the pits for new tyres as SLR Stevooo was up into P4 but without serving a pitstop. Lap10 and the SC was back in
and Lofty4794 restarted the race with JackMullCGFC right behind in P2. Following the SC SLR Gareth then made
some good headway up the field as he pushed his way up into P4.
Lap 14 then saw SLR Charlie1 take P6 from SLR
Stevooo at T1 which ended with the Mclaren driver taking a spin after wheel contact while reserve driver Vision2614
retired in the pits to become the 3rd car to DNF. Lap 15 and SLR Gareth made the pass on SLR Dodgy into P3 as SLR
Dodgy made a mistake at T4/T5 with Lofty4794 now out in front by over 8 seconds. A pitstop for both Lofty4794 and
SLR Gareth on lap 21 then pushed JackMullCGFC into the lead of the race with SLR Dodgy up into P2 and SLR
Doplh1n into P3. Lap 23 then brought SLR Dodgy into pit putting SLR Dolph1n up into P1 as Loft4794 was back into
P2 with SLR Charlie1 into P3. The following lap then brought SLR Dolph1n into the pit as Lofty4794 was back into P1,
SLR Charlie1 into P2 and SLR Gareth in P3 with 11 laps to go. Lap 25 then saw SLR Gareth take P2 past SLR Charlie1
with the fresher tyres. Lap 28 and JAckMullCGFC who was running in P3 then took a huge smash in S2 as his car left
the circuit with air as SLR Dodgy just missed the incident to take P3. While unfortunately SLR Hyperz who was
running in P6 smashed into the Redbull which ended his race with immediate effect. The VSC was called out but that
didn’t stop SLR Charlie1 who was in P7 also smashing into the crashed Redbull also ending his race. The crash then
brought I21I Maxwell into P5 and GrumpyORange976 into P6.
Lap 33 then saw SLR Dodgy take P2 from SLR Gareth on the main straight then followed on lap 34 by Aflyinglemon318 taking P6 off GrumpyOrange976. As the race drew
to a close it was Lofty4794 who took the chequered flag with a flawless drive with SLR Dolph1n taking P2 on
penalties with SLR Dodgy in P3. SLR Gareth took P4, I21I Maxwell took P5, Aflyinglemon318 took a very good P6, SLR Spr1tley P7, C0w3n P8, GrumpyOrange976 P9 and I Cxmzn I took P10.
Qualifying
Pole Lap: 01.14.192
1. Lofty4794
2. SLR Dodgy
3. JackMullGFC
4. SLR Gareth
5. SLR DOLPHIN
6. UnrealSalmon590
7. SLR Charlie1
8. SLR Hyperz
9. C0w3n
10. I Cxmzn I
11. Aflyinglemon318
12. SLR SPR1TLEY
13. Vision2614
14. I21I Maxwell
15. SLR Russell
16. SLR Stevooo
17. GrumpyOrange976
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.16.809 SLR Hyperz
1. Lofty4794
2. SLR DOLPHIN
3. SLR Dodgy
4. SLR Gareth
5. I21I Maxwell
6. Aflyinglemon318
7. SLR Spr1tley
8. C0w3n +15 sec
9. GrumpyOrange976
10. I Cxmzn I
11. SLR Stevooo
12. JackMullCGFC
13. SLR Hyperz
14. SLR Charlie1
15. Vision2614
16. UnrealSalmon590
17. SLR Russell
1) Incident - Vision vs C0w3n
Outcome - 15 Seconds And 3 LP to C0w3n.
Reason - C0w3n does have to let someone past due to illegal overtake but brakes right in front of Vision giving him damage, C0w3n should have been more aware as he could see Vision in his rear view mirror.
2) Incident - Stevo vs Charlie
Outcome - Racing Incident
Reason - We believe that Charlie left enough room at the apex for Stevo on the inside. Despite this, they make very slight contact and this causes stevo to spin. It’s unfortunate that this level of contact led to a spin but we don’t feel we can award Charlie with a penalty
C0w3n has now received a total of 13 LPs and will serve a qualification ban for his next race
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