The Elite grid leaves Portugal for Russia at the Olympic Park in Sochi for the Russian Grand Prix, and a qualifying session that was dry for the first two sessions, and a looming threat of rain half way through qualifying 3, meant that there was a throwback to the one shot qualifying format of the early 2000s as it was fundamental to get out early and set a time on a dry track before the rain got worse
With this scenario in play, it was NRX Astro claiming his first SLR pole with a 1:30.495 in the Aston Martin, just beating championship leader Midzy15, who set a 1:30.519, with Crispy2001 starting in 3rd place, setting a 1:30.710
The long rundown to the heavy braking zone at Turn 2 would see Midzy15 go for the lead up the inside, but NRX Astro would hold firm and maintain the advantage. SLR Dylan and Crispy2001 would have a few wheel banging moments as they would fight over P3, but in doing so, we're unaware of the fast starting Jito on the softs, who took the advantage and go up into P3. Championship challenger Raceroller22 would be involved in a spin after starting P7, which would push him to the back and into the pits early for repairs
In the midfield, there was heated battles between SLR Ham, ZyDRAD SLR Niki, V2 x Combat and Monkey who were all looking to fight over P8, but ended in a spin and damage for the Alfa Romeo of SLR Niki into the braking zone for Turn 12, who retired at the end of Lap 3.
Up at the front the top 2 would manage their pace in the early stages, and with Crispy2001 getting back into a rhythm, was able to set off after Jito, who after a solid and clean start, would be up into the final podium place. Crispy2001 would make the move off the exit of the final corner starting lap 5, and with a late move round the outside of the Haas, seeing the AlphaTauri stand in reclaim the P3 he started in
By Lap 7, battles at the front would merge into a top 6 battle as 6 drivers from 6 different teams would look to pursue the race lead, which was held by Midzy15, who took his chance on NRX Astro to lead
JitoDV would start losing touch slightly as he started on the softs, and with the race 9 laps old, the tyres would begin to show wear and tear, with Jibjab getting the move done on his fellow soft starter
The clouds would swarm over the circuit as the rain would start to fall on Lap 10,and with the soft tyres in the battle for P4 would begin to fade, it allowed for the medium starting SLR Dylan to begin making inroads on the trio, and ZyDRAD, who started on the back row, into the fold for the P4 battle as well, but also on softs, and making them last
SLR Dylan would go for a late braking move up the inside of Jito into Turn 2 on lap 11,and with the Haas being hung out to dry, it gave PaRa Quick in the McLaren the chance to have a look, but with the track getting damp, the conditions through the flat turn 3 in the dry would see the McLaren spin into the wall and pick up some damage forcing a visit to the pitlane
NRX Crowding, after starting outside the top 10,was showing rapid pace on Mediums in the changing conditions and was up into P6 and closing to Jibjab in P5
Yellow flags would be thrown out on Lap 13 for the spinning Alpine of SLR Ham on the exit of Turn 2, as the track conditions again were getting damp and grip was fading, but not at a rate where anyone was willing to roll the dice on strategy, and those who pitted at this point, would stick to their original strategies
Crispy would lead over Midzy15 and NRX Astro as the top 3 would have an 8s gap over 4th placed SLR Dylan on Lap 15, but crucially, teammate Raceroller22 would crash out and retire on the same lap on the exit of the long, winding turn 3, as it would go from bad to worse for the red bull driver
The first sighting for intermediate tyres would come from the McLaren of Klutzywinter, another driver caught up in the Turn 1 lap 1 melee, would throw the strategy to the wall to see what stuck, from 15th on the grid, would become the primary reference for the changeover point
Crispy would spin from the lead under the challenging conditions, picking up damage in the process and losing time. With the damage sustained, the alphatauri also felt the need to go onto intermediate tyres as there was a slow procession over from dry tyres to intermediate
Midzy15 and NRX Astro would take their on track battle to the pitlane as they would go side by side into the tight pitlane entry, with both putting intermediate tyres on as they believed it to be ever closer to the crossover
However, with the tyre strategy still being very split by lap 18-21, it looked more a matter of when rather than if, DRS would be disabled, and lap 21 would see race control disable the DRS as the track would be deemed too wet for its use.
Race control would also have to push the button to dispatch the first safety car of the race on Lap 22 with Division having an accident in the final sector. This would give the long running medium drivers V2 x combat and Monkey a free stop for intermediates, but in a unique set of circumstances, Aston Martin had their communications all wrong, as NRX Astro would overtake and undermine his teammate going into the pits, but for the soft tyres on a wet and slippery track, hindering both their races
The safety car seen a couple drivers stick with slick tyres which was always looking like a dangerous situation as the track was well and truly soaked and in wet tyre range, with SLR Dylan, V2 x combat, NRX Astro and Klutzywinter all on softs, and the rest on intermediates
The race would get back underway on Lap 26 for a two lap dash, and within the chaos of soft tyres on a wet restart, late track extending penalties being applied and the conditions proving tricky in a demanding circuit, it was another win for Midzy15 in the Williams, with NRX Crowding able to fight through the field and secure a P2 finish after starting 12th, and with a penaltyxand Monkey rounding off the podium after making the mediums last to the crossover and a penalty free race would see the Mercedes on the podium
Qualifying
Pole Lap: 01.30.455
1. NRX Astro
2. Midzy15
3. Crispy2001
4. SLR Dylan
5. Jito DV
6. JibJab325
7. raceroller22
8. PaRa Quickz
9. SLR Ham19
10. bezzas1
11. KlutzyWinter830
12. NRX Crowding
13. II Division II
14. R1ggs8
15. SLR Niki
16. II Monkeyy II
17. ZyDRAD
18. V2 x Combat
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.34.121 JibJab325
1. Midzy15
2. NRX Crowding
3. II MOnkeyy
4. Crispy2001
5. PaRa Quickz
6. ZyDRAD
7. Jito DV
8. bezzas1
9. R1ggs8
10. JibJab325
11. NRX Astro
12. SLR Ham19
13. V2 x Combat
14. SLR Dylan
15. KlutzyWinter830
16. II Division II (DNF)
17. raceroller22 (DNF)
18. SLR Niki (DNF)
We kicked the weekend of with Shutmedal a man in fine form taking his 3rd pole position in as many weeks! Joining him on the front row was eliteXriskz, the second row was occupied by badotterTV and SLR Connor.
The 5 lights went out and Elite got off to the best start jumping shutmedal and into the lead! Connor also jumped badotter taking advantage of the softer tyre over his rival ahead. Lap2 and another man on Form as of late, SLR Allen spun demoting him to the back.
Lap 3 and shutmedal regained his lead from elite then dramatically badotterTV got into trouble and spun and then the game disqualified him for driving backwards so he was now out! Meanwhile Bennett had re-overtaken Owen after previously losing out to him because of an incident with badotter.
Bennett was the first to pit from his softs earlier than expected to perform the undercut and after putting in some incredible laps he made up 6 seconds and jumped both connor and elite meaning he was now just behind shutmedal!
We moved onto lap 14 and just as the medium runners started to think about pitting, the safety car came out! Meaning they would all get a cheap pit stop and come out bunched up on much fresher tires, the two in the highest positions on the softs were SLR Semm and Owenhowell36!
Immediately after the safety car Semm and Owen were working their way forward, Semm superbly managed to get himself up to p3 and moments after Elite spun demoting him down the order. With Semm and Owen looking like favourites to win, Owen made a crucial pass heading into the last sector and moments later Semm crashed out of the race! The safety car was back out, leader shutmedal pitted from the lead leaving SLR Connor and Owen in first and second ready to fight it out for the win and that is exactly what happened! Owen made an incredible pass on Connor for the lead and would take the checkered flag for his first win this season! An outstanding drive from the mclaren driver one he will be proud of! Connor crossed the line to finish in p2 and VR46 rounded out the podium in p3, congratulations to the podium finishers and join us next week as we head to Singapore!
Division 1
Qualifying
Pole Time: 1:30.572
1. ShutMedal
2. ELiTE x RisKz
3. BadOtterTV
4. SLR Connor
5. SLR Bennett3810
6. l VR46 l
7. OwenHowell36
8. VapidCoot74
9. EIIis 37
10. SLR Liamm
11. ARL PReDaToRZz
12. LP Smoke
13. SLR Semm
14. SLR Allen
15. Adrian VIII
16. legendarydannyd
17. SLR Morgan
18. SF1 Moley
19. SotierClock110
20. Darren l 22
Race
Fastest Lap: 1:33.028
1. OwenHowell36
2. SLR Connor
3. l VR46 l
4. SLR Bennett3810
5. ARL PReDaToRZz
6. SLR Allen
7. ELiTE x RisKz
8. SF1 Moley
9. Adrian VIII
10. VapidCoot74
11. SotierClock110
12. SLR Liamm
13. LP Smoke (FL)
14. EIIis 37 (DNF)
15. ShutMedal (DNF)
16. SLR Semm (DNF)
17. legendarydannyd (DNF)
18. SLR Morgan (RET)
19. Darren l 22 (RET)
20. BadOtterTV (DNF)
SLR Semm Vs SLR Liamm - Collision (lap 4)
Outcome: Racing incident
Reason: Liam does brake later than Semm and it wasn't the cleanest attempt at an overtake. However Liam did recognise this and slowed down straight away to let Semm have the position back. Both drivers also seemed to escape without any damage.
Division 2
In Division 2 this week a slight lack of numbers meant all drivers went through to Q2 and then the fight was on from there to secure pole. Q3 was exciting and a front row lock out by the Jack’s of the division. Pole going the way of JackMullCGFC with SLR Jack just behind.
To the race then and a very early incident saw us lose 3 drivers as absolute chaos on the opening bend saw ARL Tooman, DRT Andrew and SLR Dosser depart the race. Safety car then came out allowing those with damage to pit.
Once we got back underway the front 3 of the SLR Ale and the Jack”s looked to get away from the pack as they were showing great pace. Zachisbeast got passed SLR Charlie with the help of DRS to try close that gap and AWRL Kevin was fighting his way through the field.
SLR Leah retired from session after hitting the wall and losing a wheel. Which brought out a VSC to remove the damaged parts from the circuit. Leader JackMull couldn’t keep his delta positive and picked up a drive through penalty unfortunately for him.
The pit window was upon us. However after putting under the lap 1 safety car Kevin continued to make his way forward.
GoldenEggFryer and dRaSt1k bLazE were having a great battle for P3 meanwhile.
On lap 21 with a few laps to go JackMull lost it and our second safety car of the race appeared this saw the majority of the field pit for fresh softs.
AWRL Kevin was now in the lead with GoldenEggFryer 2nd on the restart. Lots of action on the restart with little laps left guys trying to make up and get some extra points. SLR ALE on the medium compound was looking quick as he got passed bLazE as Charlie went passed Skullkiller and ALE.
ALE quickly got passed Charlie again though and set off to catch and pass GoldenEggFryer on the last lap.
But after stewards AWRL Kevin despite crossing the line first has dropped down the order.
So it is GoldenEggFryer who picks up the win. Congratulations to him. SLR ALE picks up 2nd. SLR Jack jumps on to the podium in 3rd, Zachisbeast hops up to 4th, OG James 5th, Charlie drops to 6th Kevin will be 7th, reserve driver SSR Halo 8th, Skullkiller 9th, SLR Hicklin 10th
Qualifying
Pole Lap: 01.31.031
1. JackMullCGFC
2. SLR Jack
3. SLR CHARLIE1
4. ARL Tooman
5. SLR ALE
6. ZachIsBeast25
7. skullkiller1014
8. GoldenEggFryer
9. DRT Andrew
10. SLR Leah
11. SLR Hicklin
12. OG James 96
13. SSR Halo
14. dRaSt1k bLazE
15. SLR Dosser
16. AWRL Kevin
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.33.311 SLR ALE
1. GoldenEggFryer
2. SLR ALE
3. SLR Jack
4. ZachIsBeast25
5. OG James 96
6. SLR CHARLIE1 +5 sec
7. AWRL Kevin +15 sec
8. SSR Halo
9. Skullkiller1014
10. SLR Hicklin
11. dRaSt1k bLazE (RET)
12. JackMullCGFC (DNF)
13. SLR Leah (DNF)
14. DRT Andrew (DNF)
15. SLR Dosser (DNF) +5 sec = 1 extra LP due to Dnf
16. ARL Tooman (DNF)
Incident - Charlie pit lane entry
Outcome - 5 Seconds And 1LP to Charlie
Reason - Charlie misses the proper entrance and cuts across from the main track into the pit lane.
Incident - Kevin pit entry
Outcome - 5 Seconds and 1LP to Kevin
Reason - Kevin enters the pits then changes his mind and cuts back onto the track.
Incident - Andrew vs Leah
Outcome - Racing Incident
Reason - Leah is avoiding a sideways car up ahead, it’s unlucky for andrew but we don’t feel Leah could have done much else.
Incident - Dosser pit lane entry
Outcome - 5 seconds and 1LP to Dosser
Reason - See Charlie incident explanation, they are literally the exact same breach of pit lane entry rules.
Incident - Zach vs Kevin
Outcome - 10 Seconds and 2LP to Kevin
Reason - Kevin doesn’t leave a cars width for zach on the inside which causes zach to spin.
Incident - Tooman vs JackMull
Outcome - Racing Incident
Reason - There is an argument that’s it’s simply the game’s terrible contact system, however We believe this is SLR Jack’s fault, and not JackMull, who the incident was sent in against, therefore as SLR Jack was not under investigation we are unable to penalise him.
Division 3
Welcome back to Division 3 round 16 the Russian GP.
Before we go into the weekend let’s talk about the constructors Red bull have taken the lead of the constructors in division 3 followed by Ferrari in a close second, then Mercedes are in P3.
As we go into qualifying only 16 drivers will take part in qualifying thats a lot more then what Div3 usually get. ChicknRosery has a quali ban so only 15 will be setting fast lap times. The qualifying results are; Gregers takes pole, Rydel P2, LSW L3G3ND44 P3, Josh P4, GEDDES P5, EAAIDSDAN P6, Maxwell P7, Cxmzn P8, Warhead P9, Rosco P10.
As we go to the famous five red lights, It’s a train going to T2 and Gregers and Rydel are fighting but here comes LSW L3G3ND44 taking both of them but as LSW L3G3ND44 goes into T4 small contact was made with Rydel forcing them to spin and cause a few cars behind to get damage. This also helps Josh and Maxwell get past the Ferrari of Gregers.
As we go onto the second lap nothing much has happened on this lap, most of the drivers are now settling in and are getting use to the track. Gregers manages to get past Maxwell again. Now this brings Cxmzn behind Maxwell as he goes for a move in T13 down the inside of Maxwell and gets himself into P4. As a few corners after SWFCFAN has spun round after the traction zone.
Lap 3; Maxwell using the main straight to get a tow from Cxmzn and Maxwell retakes P4 from him but Cxmzn is still within 1 second of Maxwell. As now Cxmzn has got past Maxwell again just before T13, this is now a huge battle for P4 between, Cxmzn, Maxwell, Russell and almost Geddes.
As we go onto the fourth lap Josh is staying within the DRS of LSW L3G3ND44 and it looks like he can’t get close enough to make a move for the lead. Gregers is staying with these two but not gaining a lot of time.
As we jump back to this fight for P4, Cxmzn hold of against Maxwell but now Russell has bot got past Maxwell and is having a look down the inside of Cxmzn in T4 but couldn’t get past choices to stay behind the williams driver. As now we may see the change for the lead because Josh is having a look down the inside of LSW L3G3ND44 at T13 but he’s a bit too far back to make a move.
As we go onto Lap 5 now and ChicknRosery from starting from the back is now up to this battle for P5 what a commanding drive so far from the German, He gets past Maxwell and takes P6 but Cxmzn isn’t that far ahead now so we could see ChicknRosery make a move for P5. But Cxmzn has spun and that’s gifts ChicknRosery the place on a plate and now he can focus on closing the gap to Russell ahead.
As we are almost at the pit window for the soft runners to box and change their tires. Gregers has chosen to box on lap 9 to cause a undercut on the top 2. As we go onto Lap 10 and LSW L3G3ND44 has chooses to Box to respond to Gregers and this is gonna be tight coming out of the pit exit as Gregers is now coming round the last corner and LSW L3G3ND44 keeps ahead of the Ferrari driver but the gap is now 6 tenths it was 2 seconds.
As we now go onto Lap 11 and a full course safety car has been called out for a Rydel spin at T5 and for the driver who started this race in P2 has not gone the way he would have wanted this race to go. As this helps every soft runner to get on the mediums to the end but what does Josh do, he’s coming into the Box to for the softs on. I honestly don’t think they will make it till the end but Josh is willing to try anything right now.
As we go to lap 14 almost 15 the safety car is coming into the pits this lap and Josh is the only driver on the softs so he’s gotta be careful that he keeps those softs under a decent temperature so they can perform a lot better and maybe last the whole race.
As now Josh goes after the restart the track is now green, but LSW L3G3ND44 has timed the restart nicely and not allowing Josh to pull a huge gap. Some battles behind as they go into T2 Cxmzn and EAAIDSDAN swapping positions Cxmzn now into P8. Now SWFCFAN goes down the inside of EAAIDSDAN in T3 so in the space of 2 corners Dan has lost 2 positions. Near the end of lap 15 Russell has had a spun at T15 causing a few cars to go wide and maybe get some warning and damage.
As we go onto lap 16 the top 3 are in their own DRS train and can’t break each other out of it, at the moment it seems the softs tires aren’t the way to go. As now we have Maxwell having a look on ChicknRosery around T3 and possibly into T4 but has to stay behind the Mercedes driver. As now there are so many DRS trains forming without DRS being activated yet.
As we have 10 laps to go till the chequered flag, we have phantom loosing grip around T3 and has his own little spin but it looks like Josh may have had a mistake on the exit of T5 and him and LSW L3G3ND44 have touched and caused L3G3ND44 to spin round and possibly be out of the podium places. He now is in P7 with a lot of ground to make up if he still wants a chance to even win this race. As oh no we have lost Russell in at the exit of T4, this brings out a full safety car and everyone will be going to the softs till the end this doesn’t not help L3G3ND44 that much. But I massively helps Josh to box for fresh softs.
As we go near the end of lap 20 to lap 21 the safety car is in this lap and Maxwell is the leader of the restart on old mediums and so are Dan and Rosco so these guys have to be careful as everyone behind them are on softs so they will have be be careful on the restart. Maxwell goes and everyone follows as we have Rosco spins after Maxwell has gone so not a good restart for the Mclaren driver. As now Dan has had a spun and a huge contact with the wall to lose his whole front wing. Gregers looks like he has gotten past Josh into T2. As now LSW L3G3ND44 is battling with Cxmzn for P6 as L3G3ND44 is trying to gain as many points as possible after having that spin. L3G3ND44 almost get spun around by Cxmzn but manages to catch it and continue catching up to the guys ahead.
As we go onto lap 22 Gregers is gonna have a look on Maxwell going into T2 but not enough road to help Gregers get past the Aston Martin driver. As now the two red bulls switch positions after Geddes making a mistake. This leaves L3G3ND44 to battle for the podium places. As he gets past Josh into T13 and now sees the top 3 in their sights. LSW L3G3ND44 gets past chicknRosery round the last corner what a move. As now Gregers manages to get past Maxwell with the help of DRS. Maxwell is now under pressure from L3G3ND44 going into T4 and Maxwell makes a mistake and now L3G3ND44 goes down the inside at T5 and get himself into P2. As we go into T13 L3G3ND44 is going for the win here and makes the move stick down the inside of Gregers but a massive contact forces his rival into a spin and drops him down to P8.
As we are approaching the final lap of this race, LSW L3G3ND44 has done a huge comeback after their spin, but ChicknRosery from P16 is in P2 and the lady podium spot is up for grabs who is gonna be on the podium. As LSW L3G3ND44 takes the chequered flag. chicknRosery crosses the line in P2 and GEDDES for the first time ever has gotten his first ever podium. What a race for the two red bull who share their first joint podium together this season.
This has be Division 3 round 16 Russia, hope you guys will join us for the next one as these drivers will be driving through the streets of Singapore.
Qualifying
Pole lap: 01.31.586
1. Gregers UK
2. Rydel
3. LSW L3g3nd
4. BcfcJosh
5. x J Geddes x
6. EAAidsDan
7. I21I Maxwell
8. I Cxmzn I
9. Warhead
10. Rosco
11. SLR Russell
12. RNG SWFCFAN
13. Vision
14. RWSRL Latifi
15. Phantom
16. ChicknRosery
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.34.493 LSW L3g3nd
1. ChicknRosery
2. LSW L3g3nd +10 sec
3. x J Geddes x +5 sec
4. BcfcJosh
5. Warhead
6. Phantom
7. RNG SWFCfan +10 sec
8. Gregers UK
9. RWSRL Latifi
10. I21I Maxwell
11. Rosco
12. EAaidsDan
13. I Cxmzn I +10 sec
14. Vision (DSQ)
15. SLR RusselN (DNF)
16. Rydel (DNF)
Incident: F1 Warhead vs xxxxRoscoxxxx - Lap 1
Outcome: NFA
Reason: xxxxRoscoxxxx crashes into a car that has spun. This causes the collision between him and F1 Warhead. Therefore the stewards do not think that xxxxRoscoxxxx deserves a pen for this incident.
Incident: Rydel06 vs LSW L3G3ND44 - Lap 1
Outcome: 5-second time penalty and 1 LP, to LSW L3G3ND44.
Reason: Coming out of turn 3. Rydel06 and LSW L3G3ND44 are side by side. LSW L3G3ND44 steers in for the corner, doing so he doesn’t leave enough room for Rydel06.
Incident: I Maxwell I 21 vs I Cxmzn I
Outcome: NFA
Reason: I Cxmzn I goes down the inside of I Maxwell I 21. This does lead to a small collision. However the stewards believe that I Cxmzn I was close enough to make the move.
Incident: SLR Russell vs x J Geddes x
Outcome: 5-second time penalty and 2 LP to x J Geddes x.
Reason: x J Geddes x doesn’t leave enough room, the stewards believe that the cause of the incident is fully to blame on the Red Bull driver.
Incident: RWSLR Latifi vs I Cxmzn I - Lap 21
Outcome: 10-second time penalty and 3 LP to I Cxmzn I.
Reason: I Cxmzn I tries to overtake another car, in doing so he overshoots his breaking point. This causes him to spin out RWSLR Latifi
Incident: Greggers uk vs LSW L3G3ND44 - Lap 23
Outcome: 5-second time penalty and 2 LP to LSW L3G3ND44.
Reason: LSW L3G3ND44 goes for a move on Greggers uk. He gets passed because of an aggressive move, however a corner later he doesn’t leave enough room for the Ferrari driver.
Incident: I Maxwell I 21 vs RNG SWFCfan
Outcome: 10-second time penalty and 3 LP.
Reason: RNG SWFCfan gets passed however in the breaking zone he moves over and causes an accident. The stewards believe that is fully to blame on RNG SWFCfan as I Maxwell I kept his wheel straight.
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